Dead Pets

[thenry]

Jez Vine (Radio 2 today) had people phoning in saying they should have time off work for the death of their pet (to grieve or attend the funeral). Some claimed the death of dog or cat is worse than death of close relative. For goodness sake ! Dog is dog and cat is cat. 1 hour off to attend vet for disposal.

[wolf63]

Hopefully Lucky isn't his brother's dog

[Answerprancer]

I doubt it's really anthropomorphism - it's just the way 'human animals' interact with 'non-human animals'. We speak to them, use terms like 'boy' or 'girl' (I don't do this btw) and include them in our routine, that doesn't mean that we are expecting them to be human.

[Psybbo]

Then (ry) you are missing out.

[thenry]

Moi !

[Answerprancer]

Oui - toi !
Just stare at sibton's avatar for a while and ook at the ickle pickle doggie woggy wooozum skoozum widdly diddly diddleums !

[wolf63]

How can you help but love the little pussy cat that wakes you up at silly o'clock in the morning and then sticks his behind in your face?

We all know about Simon's cat

[Answerprancer]

I must admit, I'm more a fan of Cats than dogs.

[boxtops]

Canary, I guess you don't have a pet?

[kita1]

My dog was with me every day, virtually 24/7, for 14 years, he would have given his life to defend me, he cheered me up when I was down, always greeted me with love and happiness, even if I had only been out of the room for 15 minutes. He never rowed or argued with me, never sulked or ignored me.

I have not spoken to one brother for 30 years.

Whose death should upset me the most?

[tinkerbell23]

Well done kita xxx

[Psybbo]

I love both cats and dogs, daughter has dogs, son has cats

[vulcan]

Sentimental rubbish, i wonder how many would take a week off to mourn the animal if they didn't get paid for it.

[Bambiagain]

I got my cat thirteen years ago as a year-old rescue cat. She has lived with me, moved over to Germany with me and two dogs (mother and daughter, mother had to be put to sleep nearly four years ago aged 15, daughter killed by a neighbour's dog three years ago - I was devastated) and was part of my life until just over two weeks ago when I had to have her put to sleep. I've recovered from the deaths of the dogs, and have a three-year old dog now who is part of the family. I still walk in every time I've been out and look for the cat. I look to see if her litter tray needs cleaning out and I instinctively want to feed her at the same time as the dog. Pets live in your house and are part of your routine. As others have said, you see them more than many members of the family. Of course you mourn them when they die; it's only natural.

[seadogg]

Only one consolation on the death of a pet is that we can make it easy for them. We have the priceless privilege of having them as our loyal companions and have a need to mourn them but I dont think we can justify taking time off work or involve others in our private grief.

[tinkerbell23]

I can 100% confidently say i would take unpaid leave from work. Absolutley. X

[Bambiagain]

I've always taken time off as holiday when I've had to, except with one job when I was allowed time off to have my horse put down. I agree it's excessive to expect compassionate leave for every pet you lose, but you still need time to get over it.

[paddywak]

I was devastated when I lost my first GSD. I'd had him for 15years and he'd been my constant companion while I got over a particularly messy marriage, recovered from a serious accident at the pit and the death of my mother, in fact he helped me get through what was probably the worst 10-12 years of my life. Losing Max was pretty bad but at least I've got Trish so I've got somebody who understands what he meant to me.

[nungate]

I feel sorry for those among us who have never experienced the unconditional love from an animal companion. To them they might just be an animal but to those of us with pets they are part of the family. Maybe people feel the need to take time off for a pet bereavement as families are more dispersed than they were years ago and our pets become to an extent our missing families and we need time to adjust to our loss.

[Answerprancer]

I feel more sorry for people who have experienced the loss of an animal companion.

[Jeza]

When Barney died in 1988 I cried buckets. When my dad died I said when's the funeral.