So often when we're faced with the loss of a beloved pet, instead of dealing

with it in an effective way, we just go numb.

This numbness -- which is quite a natural reaction -- comes from shutting

ourselves off to painful feelings at a time when we feel overwhelmed. It may

serve a purpose in the short term, but in the long run, unless we truly feel

our feelings, we never fully recover from our loss.

The stages of grief must be experienced. These include such things as shock

and denial, anger and blame, bargaining, guilt, anxiety and loneliness. So

don't be surprised if you feel these things.

They don't necessarily occur in that order. And not everyone experiences all

of the stages, but you can't really skip over them and immediately reach a

better state, either.

It's necessary -- and healthy -- to go through a period of mourning before

you can feel whole again.

Dealing with the death of a cherished pet presents an opportunity to learn

one of life's great lessons --one that actually serves as a doorway to your

healing. That is to learn to expand when you feel like contracting and to

keep your heart open when it feels like closing down.

Not such an easy thing to do. Yes, it's challenging, but it's one of the keys

to dealing with your grief and remaining open to loving again. Because if

you're not careful, it can be tempting to build a wall around your heart to

protect yourself from further pain. But this also shuts out the possibility

of love.

One very simple practice that helps to keep the heart open and allows the

feelings to flow is to simply make sure you breathe. When we're stressed we

tend to take shallow breaths.

So, right now, take a few moments to take a few deep, life-giving breaths.

Breathe into your abdomen first, then up into your chest and shoulders.

It will calm you down, bring a greater sense of inner peace, and help release

tension.