For anyone who has ever lost a pet, the grief can be overwhelming. Losing a pet is equal to losing a family member. Many people believe we go through five stages of grief. They are denial, anger, bargaining depression, and finally acceptance. Pet owners go through the same feelings of loss. Professional counselors understand this and now offer pet loss grief  counseling. Other avenues for pet owners going through a loss are group meetings and online groups. Many online groups are dedicated to pet loss caused by a specific illness such as cancer. There are several toll free numbers for grieving pet owners including one sponsored by a pet food company.</p><p>It takes time to heal from any loss. Some pet owners find comfort in volunteering at animal rescue groups or animal shelters. Other people reach out and adopt hard to place animals such as senior dogs and cats.</p><p>There is no single method to help anyone grieving. Everyone needs to work through their grief to find what works best for them