How do we heal from pet loss? Using her experience as an animal communicator, Maribeth shares ways to heal from our profound grief through a continuing connection with pets who have transitioned.
In this incredible discussion, Njeri Njuhigu interviewed Maribeth for her Summit, Soulful Renewal: Healing from Within Beyond Loss. Having experienced pet loss, Maribeth shares mindsets and practices that have helped people recover from their grief.
Watch our discussion about continuing connection
Healing through animal communication
At the end of Maribeth’s second career, she felt an urge to engage in energy healing.
During this time, Maribeth connected with her deceased dogs, Timmy and Eddie. Or more accurately, they connected with Maribeth!
Both provided her with comfort and joy. These experiences solidified her belief that animals survive death. She now knew that animal companions can communicate with even after passing.
These experiences with her dogs led Maribeth to pursue animal communication intentionally. And this was when she realized the importance of the familial relationship between animal companions and their people.
With this insight, Maribeth helped others navigate their relationships with their pets, whether living or deceased. And through this work, to appreciate the joy that these connections bring.
The grief of losing a pet
Maribeth highlights a common misconception that losing a pet is less significant than losing a human. To highlight this significance, she points out that many people experience deeper love and connection with their animals than with some humans in their lives. This is because pets often provide unconditional love, which can make their loss profoundly impactful.
Maribeth also discusses the emotional challenges faced by pet guardians, particularly regarding the decision to euthanize. Many struggle with guilt and uncertainty about whether they made the right choice. Sadly, this struggle amplifies their grief. She reassures us that animals grant us, their guardians, the right to make difficult decisions out of love. And she reminds us that this loving bond they share continues beyond death.
Navigating grief and healing through continuing connection
Through her own experience, Maribeth learned to navigate grief and find healing through continuing connection with her pets.
From that, she recommends that we focus on the joy our pets brought into our lives. For instance, it might be through laughter, love or remembering their mischievous side! She invites folks to engage in conversations with them, even after they passed. Be sure to tell them about fond memories and express gratitude for the time shared together.
She also mentions the importance of creating memorials or shrines to honor pets, which can serve as a comforting reminder of their presence and the love shared.
Read more in Maribeth’s bestseller, Peace in Passing: Comfort for Loving Humans During Animal Transitions.
Supporting someone who’s healing from pet loss?
Njeri emphasizes the need for friends and family to acknowledge the depth of pet loss and to provide support by encouraging conversations about the deceased animals. Sharing joyful memories can help grieving individuals feel heard and validated in their sorrow.
Healing comes from love and continuing connection
Ultimately, Maribeth concludes that healing comes from love and continuing connection. She reminds us that love never dies, and that honoring the spirit of a beloved pet can help us move from grief to peace.
This conversation highlights the profound emotional bonds between humans and their pets, the complexities of grief, and the healing power of love in the face of loss.
Want to connect with a pet who’s passed?