The loss of a pet a guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies paperback march 18 2014 by wallace sife phd author 43 out of 5 stars 92 ratings see all formats and editions. Pich says the stages of grief after losing a pet are similar to what people experience when losing a human loved one the initial stage denial can come at the time of a terminal diagnosis resulting in putting off vet visits it can also occur after the loss in staying away from home to avoid confronting the pets absence. The grieving process after the loss of a pet grieving is a highly individual experience some people find grief following the loss of a pet comes in stages where they experience different feelings such as denial anger guilt depression and eventually acceptance and resolution. One piece of advice we often give grieving pet owners is that their feelings are normal and that they will likely go through the various stages of grief keep in mind that this is a process and it can take a while and it is most often depression that will be the most prolonged part of the grieving process