The house is silent. Their bowl is still by the door. You can't stop looking at the spot where they used to sleep.
If you live alone, the first night is brutal. Here's a survival guide.
Hour by Hour: What to Do Tonight
6 PM – The Dinner Void
You'd normally be feeding them now. The silence is loud.
**Action:** Go outside. Walk around the block. You don't need a destination. Just don't sit in the quiet house staring at the food bowl yet.8 PM – The Evening Routine
This is when you'd normally be on the couch together.
**Action:** Turn on the TV or a podcast—something with voices. Silence is your enemy tonight.**If you're crying:** Let it happen. Crying is a physical release of cortisol. It literally reduces stress hormones.10 PM – Bedtime
The bed feels wrong. Too much space.
**Action:** Sleep somewhere different if possible. The couch. A guest room. Changing locations can disrupt the "phantom presence" feeling.**Weighted blanket:** If you have one, use it. The pressure mimics the feeling of a body next to you.3 AM – The Wake-Up
You may wake up in a panic, expecting to hear them. Reaching for them.
**Action:** Have your phone next to the bed. Text a friend (even if you think they're asleep). Or call a 24-hour pet loss hotline: **ASPCA: 877-474-3310**.Things to NOT Do Tonight
**Don't make big decisions** (moving, getting a new pet, quitting your job).**Don't drink alone to numb it.** It will make the 3 AM wake-up worse.**Don't scroll through old photos.** Not tonight. Tomorrow, maybe.Next Steps Checklist
Leave the house for at least 20 minutes before dark.Keep background noise on (TV, podcast).Sleep somewhere different if the bedroom is too painful.Put a hotline number in your phone before bed.Survive tonight. Tomorrow is a new problem.