Come together with other animal lovers in Mumbai to grieve the loss of your pet

A pet parent spends quality time with her dog on a walk. Representation pics/Istock

Anyone who has lost a pet, or an animal they cared for, will know that grief can creep up in the most unexpected moments in your day. Whom do you talk to in those moments? "Often, there is no one to understand the pain. And you bottle up your emotions fearing the risk of being a burden on your friends," says psychologist and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) practitioner Gayatri Ayyer.

Gayatri Ayyer with her 10-year-old golden retriever, Nino. PIC COURTESY/GAYATRI AYYER

Ayyer still remembers the day she lost her seven-year-old black labrador in 2010. Alongside psychologist Jai Bapat, Ayyer will host a new support group for those like her, looking for a safe space for unhurried, slow healing

FROM June 11 to August 11
MESSAGE 9511284282/ 9594968980 on WhatsApp (for details and registration)
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Healing process

How the group aims to help members find solace over a period of 10 weeks

Between us: The community will follow a closed group approach and remain private. Members will not be allowed to join midway through the programme. Confidentiality of any stories shared among the members is assured.

Talk: Members can openly talk about their grief, memories of their pets, and the bond they shared, to find a way forward.

Canvas call: Art activities will help pet parents identify their emotions and express them through artistic mediums.

Memory box: Participants will create memory boxes in memory of their lost friends. Leashes, water bowls, name tags, unsaid messages in the form of letters will make it to the box.

Be a good friend

Gayatri Ayyer outlines how you can console a loved one who is dealing with the loss of a pet

Don't say:
>> It was just a pet, you'll get over it.
>> We can get a new pet to help you heal.

Instead, say:
>> I know how important your pet was for you
>> How can I support you in these testing times?
>> I'm always a call away if you want to talk

Who can join?

>> Those who have faced the loss of a pet recently or in the past
>> Pet parents with senior pets, and pets with terminal diseases that are nearing the end of their life span. Ayyer calls it anticipatory grief.