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.

[wombat2u2004]

There are too many people with the "it's just a dog/cat/or other" attitude.

Too many of them around.

[Kalei]

I completely agree! For many people with the biggest of hearts, a cat or a dog is another family member to them. I think anyone should be allowed 3 days off for an animal they loved that passed away...what's the point of having the person at work if they can't concentrate or do their job right anyway? It doesn't help the company.

It makes since to me, but sadly there are too many people today that think animals don't even have feeling

[Alysser]

Back then I worked in Games at Six Flags, I knew Sassy was getting put to sleep that friday, so I took off the weekend. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle work - hated that job anyway. I don't even remember the days following her death. It all seemed like a cruel joke at the time.

I think you should be able to take off 2 or 3 days after the loss of a pet, they count, to many of us here as family members. It only makes sense, sadly some bosses will not view it that way, hell some bosses get mad when you take off for PEOPLE dying. I know my friend got "fired" from SF when she called out to many times because her grandpa died.

[DJFyrewolf36]

The law I think in the US is you are allowed at least 3 days for an immediate family member (parent, child, sibling) Grandparents I know aren't usually covered so I doubt anyone would force the issue on a pet . The problem with grief and loss is people dont get it unless theyve been there and trying to get compassion out of someone who hasn't gone through similar situations is like trying to make a rock bleed.

[Vette]

some bosses get mad when you take off for PEOPLE dying. I know my friend got "fired" from SF when she called out to many times because her grandpa died.

Sad but true. especially from Wal-mart bosses im sure,, since they treat their employees like crap.

i was still in school at the time when i lost my first childhood pet,, but i took the unintuitive to take a couple days off from school. didnt see the point in going if i couldnt function. so i think everyone should be allowed time off work after the passing of a beloved pet if thats the best for them. some like to keep busy during sad times.

[Taz_Zoee]

When I let Taz go it was Thursday July 2nd. So I already had the next day off for the Independence Day holiday and then the weekend. I also didn't talk about it too much. I waited a couple weeks before telling one co-worker and when I told her we both cried together.
But I agree with happylabs, being at work is easier because I'm not home seeing all the places he would sleep or expect him to come jump in my lap.

Catherinedana, I got tears just reading your post.

[Suki Wingy]

I remember being in 8th grade and one boy who was a bit rude to me at times took a day off of school because his husky was getting pts. The other kids laughed at him when he came back the next day and they asked the reason he was absent. It made me really mad and I remember standing up for him.

That being said, I think the very best thing for me to do when Deacon died was get right back to work. Was my head in it fully? No. A couple of kids got mediocre at best lessons, but everyone understood why I was so distracted. He was my baby and I lived right at the barn so I walked by his stall and said hi to him multiple times a day, every single day. Right away my boss put another one of her horses in his stall, which at first seemed weird but I think it was actually for the best.

[catnapper]

When Nicki passed, I left work, saw her at the vet, and turned around and went back to work!!! What on earth was I thinking? I suppose it was shock... a few days later, my one coworker told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and get over it. I was surprised because the person who said that is an animal communicator!

[Catherinedana]

my one coworker told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and get over it.

Sometimes I wonder if some people even have feelings. I've heard this from others who have lost their parents as well as pet (or should I say "especially pets). Compassion and empathy seem to be a rare commodity.