Do you feel just as sad when a friend loses a pet?

Question

today my boss had to put his beloved Lab, Tanner to sleep. she was absolutely a great dog. smart as a whip, and very kind and loving. i met this dog once. just once. and the second i met her and saw my boss with her, i saw an incredible bond. and i felt a bond forming with her. i spent about 2 hours and by the time i left i felt like i had a good bond with her too. and today i went to work and my boss was extremely sad, almost to the point where he was in tears. and for my boss that is just not normal.

i knew that immediately that today was the day that he had decided to let her go. and he told me he was going to take her to the vet after work. she was severly arthritic and couldnt even move. she would sit on her bed and relieve herself. thankfully he wouldnt let this go on any longer and he made the phone call.

even though i had only met this dog once in my entire life i felt like i had lost a best friend. so i punched out and went to the card shop and got a sympathy card. i just didnt know what to write in it. so i copied off a copy of "Rainbow Bridge," signed my name, tucked the poem in the envelope and sealed it and set it aside until the end of the day, and before i left this evening, i set it on his desk, hoping that his wife would find comfort in the story as i did 2 years ago when i was forced to let go of my cat.

sorry about the long story but my question is, do you feel the grief and the sadness when a friend loses a dog, just as you would if you lost your own dog? even as i type this i am tearing up just thinking about her, and knowing that she isnt suffering anymore. so tell me your thoughts and views on this.

Answer 1

I not only feel sad, but my heart also hurts for their loss.

I know how they feel & the pain is always great when we lose one of our beloved pets.

I always do as you did, I buy a sympathy card & add the Rainbow Bridge poem as well.

I am so sorry for the loss of Tanner.

Answer 2

If I know the story of why, then yes, definately.  Your boss has Jasmine's Sympathy.

Answer 3

Absolutely, it just shows how bighearted of a person you are, you can feel their pain.  I'm very sorry for the loss.

Answer 4

Absolutely.  My coworker lost her lab a year ago, and we all cried over it.  She just passed the 1 year mark and she was very upset again, and I couldn't help crying again when she mentioned it.  I also sobbed like a baby when I took my sister's cat to be put to sleep a few months ago.  I think true pet lovers feel sad when any animal dies, and in addition, I think we can empathize because we know how much it would hurt to lose one of our own babies, and we know what the person must be going through when they lose theirs.  

Answer 5

Absolutely! I know exactly how the man feels! What you did for your boss, was very thoughtful and kind! 1 week ago, this past Sunday, one of my Chihuahuas named Gigi, passed away, due to Liver Disease! It hurts so badly, when you lose a dog, and it's very heartbreaking, because dogs are the only ones who love you unconditionally, the only ones who are totally loyal to you, they don't judge you and love you just the way you are. I will never get over losing Gigi! She was only 2 1/2 years old! She loved everyone!http://i38.tinypic.com/6y0ete.jpg

R.I.P. My Sweet Angel Gigi! We love you and miss you so much! It's not the same and so empty without you here with us! You were our special little girl! We will never forget you! You will remain in our hearts forever!