Few things in life are as devastating as the loss of a beloved pet.

When your treasured friend who enriched your existence in so many ways is snatched from your midst, you can feel heartbroken, shattered, and adrift. And not everyone around you understands.

Our society doesn't validate the intense pain you may go through at the loss of a beloved animal. The depth of your grief may make you question your sanity. But you are not crazy. You are bereaved.

Your pet was a big part of your life, and you were the center of its universe. My heart goes out to you as you experience the despair that only a true animal lover understands when their companion passes on.

I want you to know that you're not alone, and you are not over-reacting by feeling sad and distraught. It's only recently that the mental health field has begun to realize how hard people take the loss of their pets.

Millions and millions of animal lovers care deeply about their furry (or feathered) friends. Many of them are going through gut-wrenching grief right now from their passing.

The pain you feel is real. Your grief is overwhelming, because the love you shared was special and irreplaceable.

Please don't feel embarrassed by the depth of your anguish. Your pet was a member of your family, and your relationship with it was intimate. In some ways your pet may have known you better than you know yourself.

Our animals are highly intuitive and even more aware of our thoughts and feelings than most of our human associates.

The passing of a pet can be even more difficult than the death of a human loved one, because the relationship involves fewer personal issues or misunderstandings.

Your pet was your friend -- perhaps your best friend. It stood by you, witnessed your life, saw you at your best and worst, yet understood and never judged you. It didn't criticize; it just gave unconditional love.

In fact, that's what love really is -- unconditional. Few people ever give us that, which is one of the reasons why losing a pet can be so hard.