You grieve a pet the same way you grieve a person because that grief is a sign that there was great love and many good memories between you and your pet. During that hard phase, it’s obvious that you will go through a roller coaster of sadness, guilt, denial and anger. However, as a Christian, the only way to overcome this grief is to seek refuge in God’s word.
From Psalm 9: 1-2/9-12/18:
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High…The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you…Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted….But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”
From Psalm 18: 1-3/6/16/19/28/31-36:
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; y God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise…In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears…He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters…He brought me out into a spacious place; rescued me because he delighted in me…You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;my God turns my darkness into light…As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”
From Psalm 22: 8-11/19
“He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help…But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
From Psalm 23: 1-4/6:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me…Surely your goodness and love will follow me the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
From Psalm 91: 1-7:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”