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.

[boxtops]

I cannot disagree more - I guess you may not be a pet owner. Pets are part of the household, and I (and others) are devastated at the loss of a deat pet. A pet is dependent on you, it's a two-way relationship, and they mean far more to an owner than non-pet owners can possibility imagine. The loss of a pet can be deeply mourned, as the pet owners on here will testify.

[furrypusscat]

Maybe you don't have a pet cat or dog. I am not saying I would go to the lengths of having time off work, but you do grieve and this can go on for a long time, it isn't something that goes away after a few days.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I went to work the day my beloved cat died, even though my boss suggested I shouldn't. I wish I'd stayed at home to be honest. I have lost humans and animals, but this particular loss was devastating. I don't know why but it was and I still miss her to this day.
Yes, it was worse than a relative. No, I didn't take time off, but I can fully understand why people do.

[GrantA]

I worked with someone, who the company did pay for 2 weeks bereavement when her pet past away, as they said these were like there children. Plus when they return to work they only did 3 days and worked back up to 5 days. Which i know it a sad time for them but surely this is madness.

[boxtops]

I had time off when my cat died unexpectedly - I needed it, to get my head round it.

[boxtops]

Grant, that's excessive - I don't see the need for that length of time off, just for the employer to acknowledge. I didn't have bereavement leave, I took an annual leave day.

[wolf63]

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

[Mobius1]

I am usually quite a practical person and don't consider myself very sensitive or emotional in that sense. Thing is, it's one of those things that unless you've been a pet owner for a long time its very difficult to comprehend and understand the loss and grieving associated with it.

My mum recently had her dog put to sleep. She was 14 years old and she'd had her since I was living at home. I can honestly say that the thing I missed most about living at home wasn't my mum or my sister, it was that dog. I grieved deeply for a period of several days. Should you be given time off work? Perhaps not. But I personally took a day off as A/L to help get my head around it and to be there for my mum who took the loss extremely hard.

To a dog or cat lover, a dog is not a dog and a cat is not a cat. They are companions. Yes, they are 'lesser species' and don't have any true emotional intelligence, but that is hardly the point. The point is they're not things, they are living creatures that can and do reciprocate affection, trust and companionship.

[Charity]

Wolf, that's beautiful.

[maggiebee]

Took me ages to get over the deaths of my beloved cats. Each one was an individual and a member of my family who gave unconditional love.

[GrantA]

boxtops - i know, but there are companies that do support this and other companies that don't.

i had a day off so i could take my pet to the vets as they were very poorly but that was all. But i did work from home for a couple of days afterwards, just so that i could pack up all their bits, otherwise it would of been there all week.

[wildwood]

//Some claimed the death of dog or cat is worse than death of close relative.//

Never heard of anyone going that far but yes, pets, especially dogs, have a relationship with their owners.

[Canary42]

We've become a nation of Wimps.

[tinkerbell23]

My dad mentioned this...ld need a day or two off at least if my dog died. Theyre just like any other family member and to say otherwise is horrible x

[Answerprancer]

For some people, especially solitary elderly folk or childless single folk, the loss of a 'pet' is akin to the loss of a child. If you've never felt the love for a non-human animal companion in this way then you will be a stranger to this.
I caught a snippit of that show today and wondered myself about this.

[Mobius1]

Canary - compassion isn't a weakness. If you happen to think it is then you're of course entitled to your opinion, but I would say you are both sad and wrong.

[tinkerbell23]

Its not wimpy to mourn something. Its normal.

[thenry]

I like my brother's dog. It is a spaniel. I am glad it lives in his house but I question the anthropomorphism or possibly personification of that creature. I walk away and feel lucky !

[Wharton]

Who's lucky?