Poll: Did you take time off of work/school when your pet died?

[Nexxis]

I didn't take time off mostly because I didn't know about it until summer break, so there was nothing for me to take time off from. If I had found out during the time when classes were still going, I probably wouldn't have taken time off, even though I would want to.

 

[JdaS]

I've never had any so needless to say I never quite got it. People getting so sad over a dog or a rabbit, etc? But now that I've been living with my girlfriend and her Chihuahua, I'm starting to get it.

The adorable little cuss has taken me to her heart and I've taken her into mine. I'd hate to see anything happen to her but I probably wouldn't take time off. Mostly because I'd probably get fired before getting time off to mourn a pet.

 

[FalloutJack]

No, I didn't, but I really should have. And now, I'm not happy about being reminded that some truly awesome companions of mine died.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

I'm still at school, and only one of my pets has died so far- a guinea pig that I had had for almost seven years. It really wasn't too sad when he went- I'd been prepared for it for ages, and he went out really peacefully and all. I shed a single tear, bid him farewell, and headed off to school that day- I was sad, but not devastated- the little guy had had a good life.
When my family dog dies, however, I don't see myself dealing with it so easily. It's still at least 5 or 6 years away from happening though, so I'm not worrying about it too much at the moment...

 

[omega 616]

Nope, I am not really an emotional person and I think people who consider pets as part of the family are bonkers.

I've had a boat load of pets, in fact I make Noah look like an animal hater. I've had 6 dogs, all of which of course died ... never even shed a tear.

I've had 3 family members die and not cry, not going to get teary eyed over a pet.

I've had just about all the common pets, barring cats (mum is allergic) and guinea pigs. My mum has moved onto more exotic pets now, she has 2 snakes, 2 lizards and 3 husky's.

 

[likalaruku]

I work from the home.

But no. When someone dies, the best way to stave off depression is to keep busy. Doesn't matter if it's a parent, child, friends, or pet.

I raised my pets like children.

 

[Kaushani Bhattacharya]

I work from home and my Labrador of 10 years died suddenly at my feet while I was between projects five days ago. It was a Thursday, and I took the rest of the week off because I couldn't think straight. It was harder to stay in the house because he had been a constant companion to me. He had arthritis and couldn't clear his stools properly so he had a heart attack from too much stool in his stomach. The doctor didn't realize that he needed an enema, and nor did we. It's hard getting over that guilt. But I'd take some time off to mourn the death of my pet again, if I were to ever keep another pet.

 

[Angie7F]

I never have, but with my current dog i probably will. He is just so close to me so I dont think i could keep it together if he dies

 

[Chrmike]

One of my cats just died recently and, while I didn't take off from school, I made sure to drive down the day he died to pay my respects to his grave. He'd been sick for a long while before that so I didn't see him when he was at his worst. I know that I cried quite a bit, more than I've ever done in my life.

Funny how the smallest things can have such an impact. Seeing piles of bodies after Hurricane Katrina destroyed my hometown, no tears at all. Hearing over the phone that my cat is sick, bawling like a baby.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Of course, I took the day off when my goldfish died. Sir Cane Goldier III was a valuable part of my bedroom, the keeper of my sanity and when he died I took the day off to give him a viking funeral down the stream atop a bed of kindling in half a milk bottle. It was a sad day.

I really struggle with death, even when it's something as small as a fish. It baffles me why I continue to replace them, Sir Cane Goldier V isn't looking so good just lately...

 

[Strazdas]

Out if 4 pets of mine that died, 3 of them died during week-days. I have not taken a day off, but i gave them proper burial. Or at least what i thought of as proper burial back then.

 

[Blitsie]

Only a for a day when I lost the family cat. I basically grew up with the cute little thing and spent a good sixteen years with her so it was pretty devastating for me when she passed away.

Random little side story: When I was a baby she actually took me in as hers and constantly looked after me, she even alerted my parents every time I started crying and made sure nothing would disturb me. Gosh I miss her.