Step K
K – Kindness / Seek Support
May 2026
Miko: 16 years of service (2009-2025) | Jiraiya: 15 years of service (2011-2026)
After Miko died, I did not tell anyone how bad it got. I thought I had to be strong. That is a lie.
You are not weak for needing help. You do not have to carry this alone.
Who can you reach out to?
- Friends and family – Be specific. Say: "Can you sit with me for 20 minutes? You do not need to talk. I just do not want to be alone."
- A therapist – Search for "pet loss grief counselor" or "complicated grief therapist." Many offer sliding scale fees.
- Online communities – This is why Untethered Paws exists.
- Pet loss hotlines – Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) has a free hotline.
Self-compassion is support too
If you cannot reach out to anyone today — reach inward.
- Put your hand on your chest. Say out loud: "I am hurting. That is allowed."
- Take three slow breaths. Do not try to feel better. Just breathe.
- Ask yourself: "What do I need right now?"
You are not weak. You are grieving. Those are not the same thing.
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