Is It Normal to Still Cry Every Day After Losing a Horse?

Yes. Grief after losing a beloved horse or pet is deeply personal, and many people continue to experience sadness, tears, and emotional ups and downs weeks or even months after the loss. Healing is rarely linear. Grief often comes in waves, and learning to give yourself grace during the process is an important part of recovery.

I am a month out from my horse Rowdy’s death. God, it feels like time stopped. Coping with the loss of a horse feels insurmountable. I am still crying every day. Right now, with this grief, I have no ambition. I do not have a ready or an easy smile. I feel things a little bit more now. I've always been an empath, but when I channel how somebody feels, I feel it a little bit longer than I used to and have a little bit of a harder time getting out of it. That has always been focus, and I've always been available to move my focus back to myself. While I am in grief, it is harder to lift out of the projection.

Why Does Grief Feel So Unpredictable After Pet Loss?

• Why does grief come in waves?
• Why am I suddenly crying again after pet loss?
• Why is grief unpredictable?

A month out, I'm still not one hundred percent. What's even scarier to me is I'm not consistent. I can think I am better, and then it hits me like I get tackled out of left field.  That's making me want to isolate more because I don't want to have to go through that. I want to be consistent. I want to put the best face out the world, and right now, I can't always.

I wanted to get artwork in a show about monsoons (the heavy rains in AZ in the summer). I got the idea of a butterfly in the rain because I've been doing a series of Monarch butterfly drawings. When I googled it, I not only got the picture of the butterflies, but I also saw a beautiful poem about how butterflies don’t fly in the rain because it would kill them, so they know instinctively to stay out of the storms. To protect themselves. When I read it, the Angels tapped me on the shoulder- do you get this? Do you understand it? Do we need to go into it more? The poem was not there randomly. I knew that it was for me.

 The Angels told me that humans need to learn to take care of ourselves in this way. To be careful, give compassion to ourselves, don't overdo when conditions are bad. Monarch butterflies can stay out of the rain because the rain doesn't last forever. We need to learn to not torture ourselves further when we are in grief.

Can Grief Make You More Sensitive to Other People's Pain?

• Does grief increase empathy?
• Why does grief make everything feel heavier?

I have realized with this period of grief that I have a dark side that makes me WANT to be mean to myself. I was feeling so bad, I took on several lost dog cases were they have been missing over six months. I knew that these cases would be emotional and extremely traumatic. What is it about misery that it loves company?

The choice we need to make is to be kind to ourselves. Don't go out in the rain, which is kind of what I was doing—the butterfly in the rain thing. I was beating up on myself further. And you know, there is this feeling we have to want to torture ourselves more somehow.

Monarch butterflies can stay out of the rain because the rain doesn't last forever. But if they go out in the storm, it could be life-ending and they intuitively know that. We humans need to realize the same thing.

It's a choice, so be kind to yourself during grief. Don't go out in damaging rain, which is kind of what I was doing—the butterfly in the rain thing. I was beating up on myself further. There is this underlying feeling with grief we have to torture ourselves more somehow,

What Can Monarch Butterflies Teach Us About Grief and Healing?

I found that butterflies rest when it rains so they don’t damage their wings. They instinctively know to seek shelter when the weather turns harsh.

We can learn from this natural behavior of butterflies. Life is filled with our own storms of grief, stress and challenges that can feel overwhelming. Just like butterflies, we need to find moments of rest, of solace, and not push ourselves during turbulent times.

 Why Is It Important to Rest Instead of Pushing Through Grief?

To push through when you are at a lower vibration can cause more damage than you think. Resting doesn’t mean we are giving up. By allowing ourselves to pause, to protect our well-being, we give ourselves grace to rest and recover.

How Do You Practice Self-Compassion During Grief?

More damage could be done by pushing through. Trying to still function the same, instead of resting, instead of healing.  Realize that the sun WILL shine again, and that by resting without guilt, we will be able to soar again.

Remember to not overcommit. Avoid emotional overload, give yourself permission to rest, and allow healing to take place free of guilt. Self-compassion is key.

How Can Memorial Gifts Help During the Grieving Process?

One thing many grieving pet parents discover is that healing doesn't mean forgetting. Finding meaningful ways to honor a beloved horse, dog, cat, or companion animal can provide comfort during the hardest days. Memorial gifts, candles, framed photographs, and keepsakes create opportunities to celebrate a life that was deeply loved. These tangible reminders help us focus not only on the loss, but also on the joy, companionship, and memories that will always remain part of our hearts.

Will the Sun Ever Shine Again After Losing a Beloved Horse?

Trusting yourself to wait out the rain, the grief, the lack of ambition, the lower vibration.  You see, that is the thing about life, it is always changing. The sun always shines through eventually.

At Pet Perennials, we understand that grief is not something to "get over." It is something we learn to carry with love. Whether you are mourning the loss of a horse like Rowdy, a beloved dog, cat, or another cherished companion, finding meaningful ways to honor their memory can bring comfort during difficult days. Our collection of pet sympathy gifts, memorial keepsakes, candles, and personalized tributes was created to help grieving pet families feel supported, understood, and never alone as they navigate their healing journey.

Ann Hoff is a well-known Animal Communicator, Intuitive Medium, and a regular contributor to our FB Group “I Am not Crazy Because I Talk to Animals” and leads a monthly Zoom call with members wishing to chat with a pet or simply ask Ann a question. This month's content addresses her personal experience with grief after losing her horse, and how seeking pet loss support while finding ways to honor Rowdy’s memory is helping her through this healing journey.