It's only fair, don't you think?

[Randi]

There have been so many losses recently and I know how people suffer. I get all teary eyed just reading the posts.

I truly think that people should be allowed to take three days off from work after losing a beloved cat or dog. The pain is very real - for some as real as losing a family member, and I know I could not deal with customers in that situation. I cried for three days after Fister's mom died, and I didn't even like her that much.

A girl in the building had her 18th year cat put to sleep recently, I met her a week after in the street. She told me she simply had to take three days off from work.

What's your view on this?

[Catherinedana]

When my quaker parrot, Zoot, died, I was in mouring for quite some time. I tried to go to work the next day but couldn't function. I took two more half days after that and then tried to get on but it carried over for about 3 months and affected every aspect of my life including my performance at work, my relationship with my husband and my view of the world. He was with me for 12 years, my constant companion - always on my shoulder or somewhere near me. He was one of those special guys who just understood - and I'm sure you all know what I mean by that. I used to call him my other husband! When I buried him in my yard, I wanted to climb in after him and just cover myself up with the earth. I'm crying now writing this and he is gone since March of 2008.

My boss kind of understood what was going on, but couldn't really relate so I think in some ways she thought I was a bit ridiculous, although she tried to make some concessions for me. I had my review in June that year and it was mediocre at best because my concentration and focus had been so low and I was making a lot of mistakes. That was when she and I had a long discussion about what was going on and I tried to make her understand that I lost a family member, not "just a bird".

At my job, we are allowed 3 bereavement days when someone in the immediate family dies. Do they really think that if my mother or husband passed 3 days would be enough to get on with my life? So why would I ever expect that they will give me a bereavement day for the loss of one of my birds? Most people don't understand the relationships we all here at PT have with our companion animals. Should anything happen to one of my other babies, I will take time off and try to recoup to the best of my abilities.

[slick]

My company would not go for it for a pet. My Manager would not let me take 3 days off after Max passed. Heck, he passed around Noon and I was at my desk by 2pm. **shakes head**

[catmandu]

After I lost some of My Found Cats I did not feel like going to work at all.
But there were other Found Cats to feed , and I had the comfort of knowing that they were with me until we met again
One Fine Day

[happylabs]

I think if a pet owner needs it, they should be allowed to take it. For me it was better for me to come to work and not be at home thinking about missing Casey so much.

[pomtzu]

When I was still working and lost a fur baby, I took a personal or sick day when needed.

I'm afraid companies would never give bereavement time for pets. Not everybody feels about pets as PTers do. There are too many people with the "it's just a dog/cat/or other" attitude.