EXPERIENCES OF PET LOSS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the completion of the degree MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY RHODES UNIVERSITY Thesis submitted by KATHLEEN LOUISE LOWEN G1110415 Supervised by Ms. Henriette van Zyl May 2016 ABSTRACT: In this research the experience of pet loss in relation to the intensity of grief and the repression of that grief due to societal restrictions was studied in a South African sample of 12 pet owners who had experienced the loss of a pet within 24 months prior to the study. A pilot study was conducted in order to refine the semi-structured interview schedule. Participants were asked about their pets, their experience of pet loss in relation to their feelings before and after the loss and whether they felt they could openly grieve around friends and family. The findings indicated that the intensity of grief experienced by the participants was influenced both by the intensity of their Bond with the pet and the repression of their grief due to assumed social sanctions surrounding mourning the loss of a pet. The findings from the study clearly indicate the necessity for pet loss counselling, however it was clear that societal views surrounding pet loss are shifting, thus allowing pet owners to mourn their loss more openly with family and friends. This indicates a decrease in cases of disenfranchised and complicated grief. Furthermore the impact of pet loss necessitates the social legitimation and acknowledgment of the significance of pet loss in contemporary society as these relationships with pets are an increasingly prominent feature both within and as an alternative to familial systems. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this project could not have been possible without the support and guidance from my supervisor, Henriette van Zyl, who encouraged me in times of doubt. Thanks to my parents, Mr & Mrs Lowen, for not only supporting me throughout my academic career but for always being there and supporting me through my personal experiences of pet loss. A special Thanks to My Mother for taking on the emotional baggage that comes with being there in our Dogs final moments when we could not be. You are my Rock! ii DEDICATION This thesis is lovingly dedicated to Max and Jabulani, who will forever be in our hearts. Pawprints Left By You You no longer greet me, As I walk through the door. You're not there to make me smile, To make me laugh anymore. Life seems quiet without you, You were far more than a pet. You were a family member, a friend . a loving soul I'll never forget. It will take time to heal - For the silence to go away. I still listen for you, And miss you every day. You were such a great companion, Constant, loyal and true. My heart will always wear, the pawprints left by you. -Teri Harrison iii CONTENTS Abstract:..................................................................................................................................................i Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................ii Dedication .............................................................................................................................................iii Pawprints Left By You....................................................................................................................iii Chapter 1................................................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 context of the study......................................................................................................................1 1.2 problem statement........................................................................................................................2 1.3 overview of research....................................................................................................................2 Chapter 2................................................................................................................................................4 2. Literature Review...............................................................................................................................4 2.1. Companion animals and modernity........................................................................................... 5 2.2. Attachment, Anthropomorphism, & companion animals..........................................................6 2.3. Health advantages and disadvantages of Pet Ownership.........................................................10 2.4. Attachment and Dependency....................................................................................................13 2.4.1. Childhood, adolescents and companion animals..............................................................13 2.4.2. Familial system and companion animals.......................................................................... 15 2.4.3. The Elderly and companion animals................................................................................. 15 2.5. Attachment, Pet loss & Grief....................................................................................................16 2.5.1. Anatomy of mourning........................................................................................................16 2.5.2. The experience of human loss vs. Pet loss: Social constructions...................................21 2.5.3. Circumstances surrounding the death of a pet and the implications thereof..................22 2.6. Factors influencing the grief response.....................................................................................23 2.6.1. Style of attachment and companion animals...................................................................23 iv 2.6.2 Gender & pet loss... 25 2.6.3. Families & pet loss............................................................................................................ 27 2.6.4. Childhood & Pet loss........................................................................................................ 28 2.6.5. The Elderly & Pet loss...................................................................................................... 30 2.7. Society and pet loss...................................................................................................................31 2.8. Working through pet loss......................................................................................................... 32 2.9. Continuing bonds & good-bye rituals......................................................................................35 2.10. Future directions in research.................................................................................................. 37 Chapter 3..............................................................................................................................................39 3. Methodology....................................................................................................................................39 3.1. Research aims and rationale................................................................................................... 39 3.2 Methodology............................................................................................................................40 3.3. Research design.........................................................................................................................40 3.4. Sampling...................................................................................................................................41 3.5. Data Collection.........................................................................................................................42 3.5.1. Procedure...........................................................................................................................42 3.6. Ethical considerations.............................................................................................................. 43 3.7. Data Analysis............................................................................................................................44 3.8. Validity and Reliability............................................................................................................ 46 Chapter 4..............................................................................................................................................48 4. Data analysis & Discussion............................................................................................................. 48 4.1 Intensity of the Bond................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.1. Anthropomorphism............................................................................................................58 4.1.2. Pets as family members..................................................................................................... 63 4.1.3. Growing up with Pets........................................................................................................ 70 v 4.1.4. Elapsed time.....................................................................................................................73