Crippling Grief Over the Loss of a Pet Is Painfully Real
Can we please stop disenfranchising the bereaved. Loss is loss, regardless of what form the deceased took.
When my K9 soulmate died, one of my colleagues didn’t speak to me for over a month.
Others dropped by my desk to pass on their condolences. Or they observed my floodgates open with each visitor, and with kind intentions, they instead chose to drop me an e-mail. They graced me with a sensitive smile when I looked up from reading their words with tears in my eyes.
Some people don’t know how to handle other people’s suffering. And instead of leaning into their own awkwardness and showing humanity and compassion, they avoid it altogether.
In my darkest days, six years ago, my colleague looked right through me and avoided having to speak to me.
Sure, many people don’t understand the excruciating pain of the loss of a pet. But we don’t need to understand something to validate it.
If we know someone is hurting, what can we say or do to show kindness?
Here we go again
On 11th February at 19:15, I stroked Zac’s ears and watched as the light left his eyes.
One …