Through the exploration of 12 continuing bonds expressions (CBE), this current study investigated the grief reaction and continuing impact of the death of a pet. Thirty-three individuals were interviewed to determine the degree of connection maintained with the deceased pet and how that affects their coping. Findings emphasize that the majority of respondents frequently maintain ongoing meaningful ties with their deceased pet through the use of CBE such as fond memories, rituals, dreams. The findings suggest that it is not the number of CBE but the degree of adaptability that is significant. The importance of recognizing the unique, total experience of those grieving the death of a pet is addressed. Implications for those working with and supporting those in grief are included. Future directions for research are described.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArcherJ. (1997). Why do people love their pets?Evolution and Human Behavior, 18, 237–259. doi: 10.1016/S0162-3095(99)80001-4
2.
ArcherJ.WinchesterG. (1994). Bereavement following death of a pet. The British Journal of Psychology, 85, 259–271.
3.
CarmackB. J. (1985). The effects on family members and functioning after the death of a pet. Marriage & Family Review, 8(3–4), 149–161.
4.
CarmackB. J. (2003). Grieving the death of a pet. Minneapolis: Augsburg Books.
5.
CarmackB. J.PackmanW. (2011). Pet loss: The interface of continuing bonds: Research and practice. In NeimeyerR.HarrisD.ThorntonG. (Eds.), Grief and bereavement in contemporary society: Bridging research and practice (pp. 273–284). New York: Routledge.
6.
ClementsP. T.BenasuttiK. M.CarmoneA. (2003). Support for bereaved owners of pets. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 39 (2), 49–54.
7.
CornellK. K.BrandtJ. C.BonviciniK. A. (2007). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice Effective Communication in Veterinary Practice, 37(1). Philadelphia: Saunders.
8.
CowlesK. V. (1985). The death of a pet: Human responses to the breaking of the bond. Marriage & Family Review, 8(3–4), 135–148.
9.
DeGrootA. (1984). Preparing the veterinarian for dealing with the emotions of pet loss. In AndersonR. K.HartB. L.HartL. A. (Eds.), The pet connection: Its influence on our health quality of life. Proceedings of the Minnesota-California conferences on the Human-Animal Bond (pp. 283–290). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.
10.
DokaK. J. (1985). Disenfranchised grief. In Death education, symposium conducted at the Foundation of Thanatology, New York.
11.
DokaK. J. (2008). Disenfranchised grief in historical and cultural perspective. In StroebeM. S.HanssonR. O.SchutH.StroebeW. (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention (pp. 223–240). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
12.
FieldN. P. (2008). Whether to relinquish or maintain a bond with the deceased. In StroebeM. S.HanssonR. O.SchutH.StroebeW. (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention (pp. 113–132). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
13.
FieldN. P.FriedrichsM. (2004). Continuing bonds in coping with the death of a husband. Death Studies, 28 (7), 597–620.
14.
FieldN. P.GaoB.PadernaL. (2005). Continuing bonds in bereavement: An attachment theory based perspective. Death Studies, 29, 277–299.
15.
FieldN. P.NicholsC.HolenA.HorowitzM. (1999). The relation of continuing attachment to adjustment in conjugal bereavement. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 212–218.
16.
FieldN. P.OrsiniL.GavishR.PackmanW. (2009). Role of attachment in response to pet loss. Death Studies, 33 (4), 332–355.
17.
FieldN. P.PackmanW.CarmackB. J. (2007). Continuing bonds interview. Unpublished instrument.
18.
GerwollsM. K.LabottS. M. (1994). Adjustments to the death of a companion animal. Anthrozoös, VII(3), 172–187.
19.
HarrisE. K. (1996). Pet loss, a spiritual guide. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn.
20.
HsuM. (2007). Continuing bonds expressions in pet bereavement. Available from ProQuest Dissertation and Theses database. (UMI No.3396760).
21.
KlassD.SilvermanP.NickmanS. L. (Eds.). (1996). Continuing bonds—New understanding of grief. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis.
22.
LagoniL.ButlerC.HettsS. (1994). The human animal bond and grief. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.
23.
NakayaS. M. (2005). Kindred spirit, kindred care. Novato: New World Library.
24.
PackmanW.HorsleyH.DaviesB.KramerR. (2006). Continuing bonds and sibling bereavement. Death Studies, 30 (9), 817–841.
25.
PackmanW.FieldN. P.CarmackB. J.RonenR. (2011). Continuing bonds and psychosocial adjustment in pet loss. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16 (4), 341–357. doi: 10.1080/15325024.2011.572046
26.
ParkesC. (1998). Bereavement: Studies of grief in adult life(3rd ed.). Harmondsworth, England: Pelican Books.
27.
PodrazikD.ShackfordS.BeckerL.HeckertT. (2000). The death of a pet: Implications for loss and bereavement across the lifespan. Journal of Personal and Interpersonal Loss, 3, 361–395.
28.
QuackenbushJ. E. (1985). The death of a pet: How it can affect owners. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 15, 395–402.
29.
SifeW. (1998). The loss of a pet. New York: Wiley.
30.
StewartC. S.ThrushJ. C.PaulusG. (1989). Disenfranchised bereavement and loss of a companion animal: Implications for caring communities. In DokaK. J. (Ed.), Disenfranchised grief: Recognizing hidden sorrow (pp. 147–159). Lexington, England: Lexington Books/D.C. Health and Com.
31.
StroebeM.GergenM. M.GergenK. J.StroebeW. (1992). Broken hearts or broken bonds: Love and death in historical perspective. American Psychologist, 47, 1205–1212.
32.
TorayT. (2004). The human-animal bond and loss: Providing support for grieving clients. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 26, 244–259.
33.
VoithV. L. (1985). Attachment of people to companion animals. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 15, 289–296.
34.
WeismanA. D. (1990/1991). Bereavement and companion animals. Omega, 22 (4), 241–248.
