The loss of a pet is the same grief as losing any other member of a household, a pet behaviourist has said.
Pet bereavement leave in the workplace has long been debated and is back in the spotlight after a US TV host became emotional when remembering his dog on-air.
Jon Stewart said his 'best boy' Dipper passed away just a day earlier, before playing a video montage.
"He was ready, he was tired, but I wasn't," he told viewers.
"My wish for you is one day you find that dog, that one dog, it just is the best".
Jon Stewart remembers his best boy, Dipper. pic.twitter.com/S8p4nuOFZ5
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 27, 2024
Niecy O'Keeffe told Lunchtime Live she didn't grieve for anyone like her dog Jess.
"I wasn't able to function, the grief was just so bad," she said.
"I don't think I've ever grieved like that.
"I had her for 10 years, she got cancer and unfortunately it wasn't found until it was far too late.
"I found her in the shed and that was it."
Jess. Image: X/@NiecyOKeeffeMs O'Keeffe said she had an understanding employer.
"I rang work and fortunately for me I had a boss at the time who was very understanding and I got a couple of days," she said.
"There was no way that I could have gone into work that day".
Ms O'Keeffe said the few days were just the right amount of time.
"I could have had more if I wanted it, but to be honest with you I didn't really want to be in the house when she wasn't here," she said.
"But I have friends who lost pets who got no time off and were told, 'It's only dog'.
"It's never only a dog - it's your best pal.
"They're your daily companion, morning and night, you end up having a routine together."
'She'd want me to be happy'
Ms O'Keeffe said she found another friend in Ollie, with the help of Jess.
"I had decided once Jess had died there was no way I was getting another pet," she said.
"But I was looking up photos of Jess and I was trying to find a specific one.
"When I went through my Twitter to try to find the photo, I came across a photo of Ollie who was looking for a new home.
"It's the best decision I ever made... and the way that I look at it, Jess wouldn't want me to not know the love of another dog.
"She wouldn't want me to be on my own and she'd want me to be happy".
'You need to mourn'
Pet behaviourist Suzi Walsh told the show it is a loss people need to deal with.
"I think grief is grief; it doesn't matter if you agree with somebody's grief or not, you need to have empathy for it," she said.
"If someone is feeling emotional distress and loss then we need to appreciate that.
"We need to put mental health at the forefront, which we don't often do, and we tend to assume that people are going to get up and get on with it.
"It is a loss and you need to mourn," she added.
Ms Walsh said a loss can also be very distressing for other animals in the household.
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