Psychology says the grief people feel when a dog dies is often heavier than they expected because the dog witnessed years of their private self that no human in their life ever saw - Silicon Canals

"Most people assume the intensity of grief should map onto the social hierarchy of the relationship. Parent outranks pet. Spouse outranks parent. The more socially significant the relationship, the more grief is sanctioned."

"The dog saw you. Not the version of you that your coworkers saw, or your parents, or even your partner in most cases. The dog saw the version of you that existed when nobody else was watching."

"But the dog got the whole unedited reel, for fourteen years, and when that bond is severed, the grief can feel overwhelming and disproportionate to what society expects."

Grief can manifest unexpectedly, as illustrated by a friend who felt intense sorrow after losing her dog, questioning her emotional response. The intensity of grief does not always correlate with the social significance of the relationship. Many people underestimate the bond with pets, which can lead to feelings of confusion and isolation in their grief. Pets often witness the most authentic versions of their owners, creating a unique and deep connection that can result in profound loss when they pass away.

Read at Silicon Canals