22 January 2024 , 15:00
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If you’ve ever had a pet that’s died you’ll understand how upsetting it is. For lots of people, their animals become part of their family, and losing them is akin to losing a person. However, even though so many of us have pets and understand this devastation, lots of places of employment do not allow someone to take time off to grieve.
But now a vet is speaking out and asking society to respect and recognise these losses as a legitimate reason to take time away from work. Posting to TikTok, animal lover Andrew Jones told his followers: “Having a pet die can be emotionally devastating, yet we as a society are not taking it seriously. My cat Murray, he was euthanized a few months ago. I don’t feel totally normal yet.
“If you’ve had a pet die you know just how hard it can be. If a family member dies you’re given time off work, there are funeral services, society recognizes that. If your pet dies you don’t get the same things. It’s a lot easier to deal with grief when it's acknowledged. It’s time for things to change.”
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People watching rushed to agree with Andrew and shared their own grief at losing a pet. One person wrote: “My cat died yesterday. I’m at work today and struggling.” Another viewer replied: “Can someone please tell me this pain eventually doesn’t feel as intense? I’m not okay and idk if i ever will be.”
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Someone else added: “I lost my furbaby best friend yesterday and I’m devastated. He was 11-years-old and I’m hurting so much.” And a fourth user replied: “I had to go to work the next day from putting my baby girl down ( dog) I cried through out the day . It’s been so hard getting through this week.”
In light of the recent cold weather causing havoc to dogs' walking routines, one vet has urged owners to invest in protection for their paws, such as a pair of canine-friendly shoes. This could come in the form of boots to prevent ice and snow from getting lodged between their toes or in their fur, or even just a balm for the pads.
Many dogs may initially resist wearing boots, so take the time to let them get used to the sensation – try allowing them to wear the shoes indoors for short periods, rewarding them with treats and praise.