The loss you feel after death of a pet should never be minimized.

Whether the animal was a favorite feline, a faithful dog or even a little turtle, pet loss can spark deep feelings of grief in the people who care for the cherished creature.

Even young children experience grief after death of a pet and may act out their sadness.

Furthermore, everyone experiences pet loss differently, so there’s no reason to expect specific behaviors from yourself or others.

You may have heard of the five stages of grief: denial; anger; guilt; depression; and acceptance.

Being aware of these emotional shifts can help you manage your emotions.

You may feel that you are coping fairly well when an empty dog bowl or cat toy creates a rush of grief. This is normal — and you shouldn’t expect otherwise.