Suki is on the right and Pabu is on the left.
There is a relatively new specialty in Social Work called Veterinary Social Work with a big emphasis on helping owners with pet loss and health care management.
Pet loss comes up in my practice at least once per month. The loss has many ramifications not only for the owner but for the whole family system.
One thing I have noticed in the last decade is the huge vet bills some people take on to keep their pet alive plunging them into significant financial distress.
So, it is not just the grief over the loss of the pet, but the guilt of not sacrificing enough to buy veterinary care for their ill pet.
The one that's new me is dental care. My daughter just spent $1400 to have 14 teeth extracted in one of those poofy little hybrid dogs which she and the grandkids named "Suki". The dog is only about 6 years old and could easily live another 6. Pabu, my daughter’s other dog besides Suki, needs some dental work too according to the vet. These expenses are a challenge for the budget and contribute to what might be called disenfranchised guilt and grief.