The Gentle Pause:
Pet Loss Support

Welcome to The Gentle Pause - a comforting space from Pause for Paws, created to support anyone grieving the loss of a beloved animal companion. Here you’ll find free, evidence-based articles and reflections to help you understand your grief, find small moments of peace, and begin acceptance in your own time.

Gratitude Emily Witty Gratitude Emily Witty

Growing in Grief: Finding Gratitude After Loss

In the early days of grief, gratitude can feel impossible. When the ache is fresh, it’s hard to imagine ever feeling thankful for anything again — least of all for an experience that has caused so much pain.

But in time, gratitude doesn’t erase grief; it gently reshapes it.
It helps us notice not only what we’ve lost, but what we gained from loving our pet so deeply: trust, companionship, laughter, routine, and unconditional love.

Gratitude isn’t about denying sadness — it’s about making space for joy to coexist alongside it.

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Loss Emily Witty Loss Emily Witty

Why Grief Hurts - Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

Grief is more than sadness — it’s a full-body experience. When we lose a beloved pet, our emotions and physiology become intertwined in powerful ways. That ache in your chest, the lump in your throat, the exhaustion that lingers — these aren’t “in your head.” They’re your body’s way of expressing love and loss.

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