Pet Loss Support with Paula

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope you and your beloved pets enjoyed a safe and joyful Christmas – and that no mischievous pups managed to sneak into the chocolate under the tree.

Today, I’m sharing something a bit different. Alongside the heartache of pet loss during Christmas, I want to gently acknowledge the perspective of our dedicated vets and nurses. Sadness touches us too, as we are the ones entrusted with guiding pets and families through these challenging times, sharing in the space of care, compassion, and quiet grief.

While the festive season is a time of excitement for many, it can be profoundly sad and difficult for those mourning the loss of a cherished pet. Whether the loss was anticipated or sudden, it can be deeply challenging, making celebrations feel overwhelming or even impossible. Although losing a pet is painful at any time of year, when it happens so close to Christmas and the holidays, it can feel especially cruel, leaving families with a profound sense of absence and loneliness – especially for those whose pet was their only companion.

In our work, the loss of pets is unfortunately a part of our daily reality. We are often asked if we despise this aspect of our job or if we simply become accustomed to it. The honest answer is no – we never get used to it. There are many tears shed behind the scenes. Our compassionate team often forms strong bonds with our patients, and with each case, we find our own ways to cope, allowing us to return each day with care, kindness, and the ability to keep smiling for those who need us. While these moments are incredibly hard, we find solace in knowing we are helping pets who are suffering due to illness, ageing, or tragic circumstances. It is a privilege to assist them in finding peace – to be whole again, free from pain and sickness, running or flying free at what many of you know as the Rainbow Bridge.

What truly tugs at our heartstrings, though, are the families left behind. It is for you that we feel the deepest sadness. We witness your brokenness and understand the difficult road of grief ahead. We wish you didn’t have to face it without your much-loved pet by your side. You are the reason we shed quiet tears, thinking about you and wondering how you’re coping.

December is especially challenging. Each day closer to Christmas brings another emotional goodbye, each one hurting a little more. This is why our team chooses to wear silly scrubs and festive headwear – as a small way to spread a little light, joy, and warmth during what can be such a tender time.

On Christmas Eve alone, there were two families who stand out to me as they had to say goodbye. One loss was semi-expected, the other a tragic shock. As I sat at home with my own pets that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about those families, knowing that in their shock and overwhelming sadness, celebrating would have been the last thing on their minds.

Please know that with each loss, we see it, we hear it, and we feel it. The love and bond you share with your pet never go unnoticed, and we thank you for the care and devotion you give them throughout their lives. With every tear shed, we are honoured to care for you and your pets.

If you or someone you know is struggling after the loss of a pet, or is facing the end of a pet’s life, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the clinic. We can arrange a time to talk, and I can help guide and support you through these difficult moments. Please take care.

Paula Kirk

Pet Loss Support
New Plymouth Vet Group

(06) 758 4006.