Relinquishment feelings stirred by another death
I placed my daughter for adoption nearly 15 years ago. Like most women with open adoptions, I had to go through the stages of grief for relinquishment over a period of years (denial that there is grief with adoption delayed my healing by several years).
I have seen a counselor, and worked through my grief, following the stages of grief (but not being LIMITED by those 5 stages), and have also been treated for depression. As a matter of fact, it was being diagnosed with depression that got me to a counselor in the first place, and then realizing that my grief dealing with adoption had never been worked through or, in fact, acknowledged.
As to my question: I recently (3 weeks ago) had to have my cat put to sleep. I had owned the cat for 10 years. While the cat did have medical issues (crystals in his urethra that were removed), behavioral problems resulted from the medical problems--essentially we had a cat that would urinate everywhere BUT the cat box, including on my stove and in my bed. I felt terrible putting the cat down, but knew (from talking to the vet) that the problem could and probably would get worse, and living in an apartment, I could not make accommodations for the cat.
I have heard that another death can sometimes trigger feelings related to relinquishment, but has anyone heard of that happening with a pet? Also, should this continue for 3 weeks? It has gotten easier with time, but is still lingering in the back of my mind daily. I recently moved across the country and got a new job, so I do not have insurance or a new doctor, or a new counselor yet... but is this something that I should be seeing my doctor on NOW, or can I wait a while longer to see if it eases on its own?