By the time I received Blueberry’s cancer diagnosis, I wasn’t in the best of places. My job contracts were uncertain, my relationships were like rollercoasters, and I thought the only thing that was consistent in my life was my dog. So hearing that she had a cancerous mass with a life expectancy of 3 months, needless to say, it didn’t go down too well. 

At this point, I had two choices. Either I spiral and give up, or I decide to make whatever time I have left with her the best months of my life. This is when I turned to prayer. 

Each of us handles grief differently. But whether you’re overcome by loneliness, sadness, or immense anger, the answer to getting back on your feet is faith. So, I’d like to share my experience with you in the hopes that it brings you some comfort and peace, knowing that you are not alone. My story is about finding strength after pet loss and the steps you can take to heal your heart.

Handling the News That Your Pet Has Cancer

It doesn’t matter how old your pet is; it’s devastating to hear they’ve got cancer. In my case, the third time around leaves a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach, knowing that you’ll be facing the ups and downs all over again. 

When Berry was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, after having lost two previous dogs to cancer, I prayed like never before. I remember thinking, “How am I going to pay for her chemotherapy, and what do I do when the time comes to say goodbye?” It all felt like an impossible mess. Out of fear, I asked God for a miracle. I said, “If you could just do this, this time,” because I wanted her to be cured. But God had other plans. 

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 

This isn’t a story about wishing and praying for a miracle and getting exactly what I wanted. Rather, I believe that God taught me strength, patience, and most of all, hope and faith. And while Berry’s loss was profound, what I learned along the way ultimately changed my perspective and appreciation of life. 

How Things Changed – Finding Strength After Pet Loss

I decided to see the vet oncologist to understand my options and, of course, the cost for chemo. This is where things changed. The oncologist-veterinarian believed that Blueberry was a good candidate for treatment and that chemotherapy could extend her lifespan by 6 months to 1 year. At the time, I had pet insurance, but I wasn’t sure how much of the treatment they’d cover. The vet acknowledged the hefty cost and suggested that I pay only the excess per session, with the rest submitted to the insurance company. This meant I could afford the full course of treatment for Blueberry. It was an unexpected blessing. 

Facing loss is a daunting but inevitable part of life. Our pets are with us for only a few years, but we form incredible bonds with them. In Blueberry’s, Ice’s, and Sasha’s cases, I actually grieved before they passed, which takes away from the good moments. I’m also pretty convinced that our fur babies pick up on our emotional states. In fact, our anxiety creates anxious pets, so when you feel overwhelmed or constantly sad, walk away for a little while. Breathe deeply, listen to your favorite music, and even if you’ve never prayed before, pray about every fear, pray for strength, and pray for comfort. 

You’re Not Alone: Coping with Pet Loss Grief

Berry eventually passed from hemangiosarcoma, but I can’t say that I’m angry because of the many little blessings along the way. The veterinarian who organized the payment plan without any awareness of my financial situation, Berry not being sick during her chemo, and all of the good days I got to share with her over those 10 months of her life. Even right at the end, when she collapsed from shock, I panicked because I couldn’t lift a 140 lb dog on my own. Amazingly, she lifted herself, slowly walked to the car, and climbed in with some help. I got her to the vet, where I got to say goodbye and let her go peacefully. 

At this stage, I was struggling immensely with grief and felt incredibly alone. In fact, I experienced several stages of grief, including anger, bargaining, and severe depression. And if you’ve gone through grief yourself, you know that it doesn’t matter what anyone says or how many kind words they share with you; it doesn’t make the loss less painful. But the biggest obstacle I faced was the loneliness.

Profound Solace After Losing Blueberry

I recall a dream I had a month or so after her passing. In this dream, I saw a large white butterfly moving through many rooms, each with a different theme. The one room that stood out to me had a large glass bookshelf in the center. As I looked at the glass shelving, it fell over and shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. While it broke and I felt the devastation, the white butterfly floated past. It then moved into the last room, hovering over a small carpet with the words “Arrive Happily.” 

I’ve learned that even in the most devastating and earth-shattering moments of my life, the butterfly was always there, and I was never truly alone. And this is what you should know too. Even in your darkest moments, you’re never alone. God is always there. 

“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 

Remember, it’s easy to take a pill, but this only masks the pain. Once the pill wears off, you’re still left with the emotion and the memory. When I decided to work on my faith, things changed drastically. My perspectives shifted, and moments that once felt desolate were now filled with hope. Blueberry’s cancer journey became my faith journey. 

Comforting Bible Verses After Losing a Pet

When you lose a pet, the emptiness is profound. But I want you to know that God does comfort us when our pets die. One of my favorite verses is found in Luke 12:6—”Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” Here, Jesus is pointing out how important all of His creation is. If God remembers every little sparrow, how much more does He not love and remember the precious pets that we shared such incredible bonds with?

You can also rest assured that animals will be a part of the New Earth as described in Isaiah 11:6—”The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” In God’s paradise, animals will live in perfect peace, with no more suffering.

For every pet parent going through the difficulty of loss, please understand that there is always hope. You will love again, smile again, and the heartache of grief will pass, but it takes time. My grief led to a journey of faith, and while I couldn’t see it at the time, I’m thankful for the lessons I learned because they’ve changed my heart and my mind forever.

Finding strength after a pet’s loss isn’t easy, but with time, support from your loved ones, and a focus on faith, you’ll get there.