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]

Both my parents are dead and I miss both of them. But when my furry friends died I was devastated. I live alone and have no children, my closest relative lived hundreds of miles away - the furry friends are my family.

I have never taken time off work due to the death of a cat or dog - but the people that I worked with probably wished that I had. I was 'terribly upset' each time.

People are still made to feel ashamed and weak because they love a member of another species so much - total crappolla.

I understand that many people consider non-humans to be of a lesser species and not at all important - it doesn't make them bad people.

I am not overly fond of human children - but I can imagine that to their parents (and aunties) they are important and the centre of their universe.

[Wharton]

Lock your partner and your dog in the garage for 3 hours and see which is happier to see you when you let them out.

[SpikeyBush]

I had my 14 year old cat put to sleep last year. I was very close to him and had a good cry for an hour or so after I buried him, and wasn't really on top form for a few days but I'd draw the line at being entitled to take paid leave from work. I was close to my late cat but was in more of a two & eight when my wife had a stroke and really needed the time off work granted by the gaffer in that case.

[shaneystar2]

Shaney has been gone for nearly four years .He's in a box in the front room.I still say goodnight to him .How daft is that !
No dafter than looking at a picture of ..say ..my Mum and Dad and thinking how much I miss them .
He was a wonderful companion .I rescued him and I think he was forever grateful .I still miss him and when I see people on here who are so sad over the loss of their pets it brings it all back .I try to avoid A&N really because it's upsetting .
I've had lots of dogs in my life and they were all special .Much like all the human beings in my life who are gone .Four legs or two ..they all bring you something .They are all special to the person who loved them .

[nungate]

Shaney, you're not alone. Jess's ashes are in a box on a shelf in my living room. The vet came to our house to put him to sleep we were devastated as he'd been with us for 15 years (he was a rescue cat we were his third home) The pet undertaker came later in the afternoon and took him away and his ashes were returned the next day, I felt so much better knowing he was back with us, and I do say good night to him from time to time.

[Answerprancer]

I lost my cat (Bea) in 2007. She was about 12 YO, a bit feisty but very intelligent and affectionate - I was never sure of her exact age as I adopted her from a good friend of mine who in turn adopted her from some travellers. She was my companion for about eight years then she died unexpectedly of (ok here goes) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (probably spelt it right coz I'm a nerd). I was devastated. She died in front of me, pretty violently - it was horrible. I buried her that same night with the chain of bells she used to ring to get out of my room in the mornings.

[Caran]

My cat a tortie called Shelley aged 13 developed feline leukaemia, vet told me when the time was right I would know. She had been my life since husband died of a brain tumour. She swelled up and looked awful, until one day I stroked her and she went for me, she was in pain. I took her to the vets and she went to sleep. I brought her home and buried her in the garden. I took a days holidaythat day (some holiday) I phoned bos and asked that no-one ask or menbtion Shelley as I wouldn't cope with it. It took me a long time to get over the loss of my beautifful companion. Not had another pet since, couldn't stand the heartbreak.

[Caran]

sorry for spelling mistakes.

[woofgang]

This is something that I don't think can be argued. If you cant get why a companion animal is so important to a person, then you wont get it. Its not just about the animal per se, its about what the animal "means" in the life of the person. I am not going to say "If you can't get it that's your loss" because you will be spared a lot of heartache....

[ganesh]

'Personification of that creature'.What a daft thing to say.Dogs may not be humans,but they are animals as we are.(and some are a lot nicer)All dog owners will know how close a relationship you have with your dog and you go through grief just the same as you would with a friend or member of your family if they died..I watched the 'Wright Stuff' when they were discussing it and they were 'OMG get over it,how ridiculous,get back to work' etc.I believe this is the same as saying to a person with severe depression,'pull yourself together!'
My dog died young quite recently and I was devastated.I don't work now but if I did I don't think I could have gone in at all for some time.I would have taken time off unpaid if necessary.If you don't understand this then you just have no empathy at all.I may be a wimp but at least I have feelings and you are allowed these for species other than humans!

[chaptazbru]

I have loved and mourned many pets in my lifetime, I've taken time off work because I have been too grief stricken to go in (and vulcan, I WOULD still take time off paid or not), but nothing touched me like the loss of my last dog who has been gone for several years now, but I am coming up to the anniversary of her death again and as usual I'm in bits. If you don't understand how we feel when we lose a pet, then please keep your unkind thoughts to yourself. It's real and a lot of us suffer it and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy !

[Baldric]

What an unfulfilled life you must lead thenry, either that or you've been overdoing the Henry Westons again.

[lcg]

you heartless git. i cried for two weeks straight when my cat died. i did have to take a week off work - i was a student nurse and i kept crying all over the patients! it wouldn't have been professional to do that, so i took some annual leave. i hope someone takes an hour out of their day to dispose of you.

[ladybirder]

You do all realise you are giving thenry the exact response he wanted by the look of some of his previous posts.

[ganesh]

Of course he is tring to wind us all up,a dog is a dog,a cat is a cat,and a cold-hearted git is a cold-hearted git!

[chaptazbru]

Good answer ganesh ...... !

[rsvp]

how can you differentiate between the love you feel for a person and the love you feel for a pet? What's the difference? therefore, yes , do whatever yo need to cope with the grief. If time off work is what works then do it.

[lankeela]

Not only do we grieve for our own pets, you only have to come on here when one of us has had to say good bye (or having to make the final decision) to see the support and compassion we feel having been there ourselves. Far more relevant than the outpouring of grief for one of those highly paid rock stars who knowingly kill themselves through misuse of drugs or drink. I have two old dogs who are nearing the end of their days, and although I will make the decision when the time is right I would love to think they will both pass peacefully in their sleep. even having six others it will still hit me like a kick in the guts and I am lucky that my employers and the people I care for will be sympathetic and know how I am feeling.

[LastJourney]

Would you say the same if you knew that one of those callers was a blind person who had lost their guide dog? Such an incredible animal, which is literally his/her owners eyes is not just a dog, but a reliable and warm hearted companion, forever at their side.
At Last Journey Memorial Events in Spain, we recognize that the loss of a pet can be devastating www.ScatteringAshes-Spain.com