WHY WE MOURN THEM SO DEEPLY

Many pet-owners feel selfconscious talking about “grief ” after the death of an animal. It is hardly like a human died, we tell ourselves.

But therapists say that the loss of a pet can trigger feelings of grief that, in the most serious cases, feel overwhelming. Pets add structure to our day, keeping us active and social, and boosting our confidence. For some, the need to feed, walk, and clean an animal provides a sense of purpose.

The New England Journal of Medicine reported in 2017 that, after the death of her dog, one woman experienced “broken heart syndrome”, with symptoms that mimicked a heart attack.

Elderly people, who are more likely to live alone and rely on a pet for company and security, are particularly hard hit. And for young children, the loss of a pet may be their first encounter of death. If your pet carried out a health function – such as a guide or therapy dog – the grief is amplified.

In his poem, “The Power of the Dog”, inspired by the death of his black Aberdeen terrier, Boots, Rudyard Kipling warns, “Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware of giving your heart to a dog to tear.”

Therapists recommend saying goodbye through a ritual like a “funeral”, even if you don’t have the body, and creating a “legacy” such as a photo scrapbook.

The decision of how soon to adopt a new pet is a personal one, therapists say, but it is advisable to leave a little time to mourn.

You can seek help through the Blue Cross’s Pet Bereavement helpline, or Cats Protection’s “Paws to Listen”.