The loss of President Michael D Higgins dog, Bród, is being felt across the country as other people know how it feels.
That's according to chairperson of the Bernese Mountain Dog Club in Ireland, Fiona Stafford-Byrne.
Bród, one of two Bernese Mountain Dogs at Áras an Uachtaráin, has passed away at the age of 11.
President Michael D Higgins and Bród. Picture by: Áras an UachtaráinÁras an Uachtaráin said Bród, who came to the Áras as an eight-week-old puppy, was "a very much loved and loving dog with all that met him and he enjoyed meeting with the thousands of members of the public who came to Áras an Uachtaráin over the years."
A statement said he was "probably one of the most photographed dogs in Ireland."
"He will be missed by the President, Sabina and all at the Áras, particularly Misneach, the President's remaining dog who is two and a half years old, and who has shared his space with Bród over recent months and was his constant companion, aware of Bród’s situation and very attentive to him", the statement added.
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Ms Stafford-Byrne told The Hard Shoulder Bród reflected very well on President Higgins.
"My Bernese friends would say that they take a little piece of you with them when they go over that rainbow bridge," she said.
"That is because of the utter love that these dogs have for you as their owner.
"Their temperament is outstanding and in turn, because they love you so much, you love them back.
"You are proud of them, and you want them in every aspect of your life and you bring them everywhere with you.
"We saw that with President Higgins - more recently with the [visit of] President Biden, and also with the royal visit or any visit.
President Michael D Higgins, his wife Sabina and their dog Bród welcome Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton to Áras an Uachtaráin in March 2020. Picture by: Colin Keegan/Rollingnews/Pool"He has his Bernese doing meets and greets with all of these dignitaries, and isn't it wonderful?
"Doesn't it show our President in a great light?
"In every photo opportunity and every video of him that we see with his dogs, we see how much he loves them.
"We would really see and understand the loss that the President would be feeling".
President Michael D Higgins and Bród. Picture by: Áras an UachtaráinMs Stafford-Byrne said she has spoken about it with many other dog owners.
"We've all spoken about it over the last few days, because we know about the hurt in your heart that you would have about the loss of Bród," she said.
"You really want to say to the President that we understand because, unfortunately, we and I have been in the position where I have lost a Bernese Mountain Dog - and it is a loss".
She said interest in that particular breed has gone up "significantly" here over the last few years.
"I gave my dogs an extra hug over the weekend when I heard that news... and I think we should appreciate our dogs now," she added.
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