“Here's Why People Need to Be Taken Seriously When Grieving the Death of a Pet”

Losing a pet can be as bad as any other loss, including losing humans, Jill S. Cohen, a family grief counselor in New York City, told Personal Space.

"We can feel very, very intense grief when a beloved pet dies. A pet is a family member. When any beloved family member dies, those who love him or her grieve. One can grieve as much or even more over the death of a pet as that of a human," Cohen explained.

Why is that?

"With humans, the relationships can be complicated. With pets, they are simple and always satisfying," Cohen said. "There is an unconditional love that a pet provides, where often a human relationship does not necessarily provide that. Also, a pet is reliable and has provided the security and stability through the owner's life which often transcends other relationships. Children may leave home, a spouse may leave or be absent for a period of time. Parents may die. Friendships may drift.

But the pet is always there — a source of comfort, a source of continuity in life, of constant companionship, a way for the owner to show love to a living being. A pet also provides a sense of routine for its owner. This may give the owner some consistency in life — feeding, walking, caring for the dog, tending to the pet's needs. The bond between a human and a pet can sometimes be like none other."

There is often a feeling of loneliness that follows after a furry friend dies.