To Post or Not to Post: The Social Media Pet Loss Dilemma
If I post, will people think I'm being dramatic? If I don't post, it feels like they disappeared. Here's how to navigate this.
A lot of people hesitate:
Social media can be shallow, yes. But it's also where people find out what happened. One post can save you from the repeated "How's your dog?" messages that land like a punch.
If posting feels right
You don't have to make it perfect. A photo and a sentence is enough. If you're worried about judgment, you can set the tone yourself:
> "I know this is just a post, but I want to honor them here."
If you want more privacy
If you're worried about attention you don't want, consider:
The goal isn't performance—it's acknowledgment.
What about the comments?
Most people will be kind. Some might say the wrong thing ("at least you can get another one"). You can mute, hide, or ignore. You don't owe anyone a response when you're grieving.
Not posting is also valid
Some people grieve privately and that's completely okay. Your pet's importance isn't measured by public acknowledgment.