We have an elderly dog that amazes us every morning by waking up. I dare my boss to say something when the day comes.

I am sad about the pain you feel. Loss is inevitable when you love someone. How much more of a loss it is to never love. www.rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Not sure why some replies were laughing? Losing a pet can have the exact same feeling as the loss of a best friend or beloved family member. For some, a pet is all they have. Pets keep us from suicide. They made us laugh when depressed. Console us when down. My family was NEVER there for that!!

Been saying this for years - 100% agree.

I had just found out my cat died. My boss made fun of it because I was crying. Asked me if I required time off, snicker. Two weeks later, I walk in, and she's got her head on the desk. Her cat had been run over by a city bus. I asked her if she needed to go home.

I’ve never grieved as hard as when I’ve had to let a pet go.

After my cat passed away it destroyed me for at least a week and then I got three more and they have all gone now but one of them… my little tuxedo boy always wanted to know what I was doing and had some of the funniest mowing fits late at night walking around with a little pink sock in his mouth

Name one dog the kids and one dog grandma so when you file the paperwork it wont be a lie. My grandma passed ive taken care of her for years but i have to make arrangements now

I’m sorry we should have bereavement for pets. I know I lost one of my cats last year and it took me months to stop crying. I miss her so much such a good kitty.

No. Take personal days, vacation days or days without pay. What about People without pets?

So people without pets wouldn’t use bereavement leave. How is that a problem?

Agreed.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Agree 💯!! Coming from a dog-mom with Lymphoma cancer 😭😭

My company includes a 2 day fully-paid bereavement leave for pets (separate from PTO).

💯

I'm so sorry for your horrible loss.

Agreed. But in America you may get 2-3 for‘immediate family’ only. It’s a broken world. Deeply deeply sorry for your loss, friend.

I work for a wonderful company that does just that! I sadly had to use it recently for my sweet 14 yr old hound dog Winston. Also, my grandmother was an asshole as well! Found out she died in a social media post! Months later! 🤷‍♀️

❤️

🤣🤣🤣 👍👍👍❤️🤣👏

Some states have bereavement leave for pets.

Just name your dog "my grandmother," then you can honestly call them and say "I can't come in, my grandmother died."

Agree 1000 percent with this! I lost my cat, Ella in October and she was with me for 19 years. Longer than some marriages. She was my baby.

YES

My employer does offer paid bereavement days for family pets that pass away.

Wow. That’s wonderful.

I couldn't agree more!

I would just say it’s your grandma, screw it. Terribly sorry for your loss and hope you find time to rest & grieve.

When my 13 y/0 chihuahua passed away, I had taken off 2 days, I was a building sub at a public school, my school wasn’t happy at all, but I was happy because I had time to grieve, she’s my baby, this her paw print💕

💔😭🐶🌈☁️

🤣

💯

My employer barely offers bereavement leave for human family, but if my Penny died, my boss would tell me to take the time I needed, and she'd handle HR.

My cats are the most important people in my life. No kidding.

Agreed. The neighborhood kitty that adopted me to be her guardian died at my feet (literally) and I was a wreck for 3 days after. Still had to go to work and try to focus on other problems, which weren’t nearly close to losing a loved one. She sits in a cute urn on my desk at home now. I miss her.

Agreed!!

Just tell them you grandmother died.

I couldn't get bereavement for an uncle / godfather.

We had to put our family puppy dog down last month. We rescued her from a shelter 16 years ago and though I didn't take bereavement time, I sure did take my time at work. Didn't rush in, left on time, worked on "little" projects. I'm still processing her not being here.

Grieve away, also, go to work.

My workplace does 😟 Sorry for your loss ❤️‍🩹

When my dog dies I’m gonna need a month off from work

Seriously. 🐾❤️🕊

Absolutely pets are family.

If I was your boss I would fire you for being mentally unstable

That does not portray you in a flattering way.

💔 Love and Light to you as you process your loss. I'm sorry your grandmother was a sphincter.

I was a manager at McDonald’s when I was 19. Our dog was hit by a car and died 🥺 I went to work that day because they wouldn’t cover my shift and I got written up for being sad and crying while “representing McDonald’s”.

I had a long scheduled presentations to upper management that fell on the same day as the suddenly scheduled funeral of my father. My manager asked if it was possible to return to work to do the presentation after the burial.

When my cats die someday (assuming I don’t go first) I will be completely wrecked for at least a week. If my job can’t accommodate this I’ll have to find a new job

YES. The problem is…if they haven’t been through it, they can’t fathom the grief. 😔

My dogs dying shattered me- my dad? It was closure. You never fall out with your dogs. Humans can do a lot of harm in your time together.

As a cat owner estranged from his Trump-supporting family, I totally get it. I think about how I will cope with my cats being gone (both turning 14 next month) more than anyone in my immediate family. I'm not proud of it, but my point is that family imo is who YOU care for and rely on, not genetics.

Absolutely.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Be gentle with yourself. 💫

.... Lie?

I agree with you.

Name your dog Grandma ~ problem solved?

Just say it was your grandma. And you were very close. But We Shouldn’t have to justify time off.

I have unlimited PTO, but an office party for the loss of my jackass brother would be a lovely gift

My company allows time off for a list pet, but it's a veterinary clinic so, they all get it.

Lost.

It’s devastating. I’m sorry.

A lot of places do?

I agree!

So sorry for your loss. We all know this pain….

How about no

I'm so sorry your grandmother was an A-hole about the loss of your beloved dog. Dogs ARE our family, and loss of a beloved furry family member can break your heart. I'm so sorry for your loss

I was pretty tight with my one boss and when my 10yr old GSD had to be put down (he was my souldog) he invented another grandparent who died for me and I got a weekend and 3 days off and when on a week long bender.

Not a grandmother but my sister. When I worked as an auditor in Santa Ana and I had to put my dog down I took the day off, and the next day there was the sympathy card and big bouquet on my desk. And the rest of the office were flaming assholes

This is why I always name my pets “grandma”

amen

I have 3 dogs now. had a beautiful Siberian -13 years. When he died i was inconsolable. I don’t think I ever cried so hard. It was devastating. Made it worse -he died in pain. A vet told us dogs hide pain it’s a survival thing. So he was hiding it for while. And then he couldn’t. My baby 😞

I'm so so sorry. You can only do what you know to do.

I gave a direct report time off, in the late 90s, for the death of her dog. Not because my company allowed it but because it was the right thing to do. ❤️

My dog's name is My Grandmother...

I’m sorry you lost your friend. Damn. I say take the time. I was curled up in a ball for a couple of days. It’s a brutal loss and every bit as valid. My heart goes out to you 💙

I booked a vacation day off when we had to put our dog down. When my amazing boss found out why I was taking the day, she cancelled it and marked it as bereavement.

Ooh, that would be my first boss way back when (long gone but who I still worship as a real human). Occasionally you come across somebody with class. 'Sorry for your dog, glad for you that you have a boss with class and you have the class to recognize her. Glad for your boss that she has class.

That's a good boss.

I have taken days off to mourn my pets. They were family.

I have always included pets in any family leave policy for my employees & students, but then I’m a weirdo who thinks if a specific number of PTO hours is a benefit of the job, it’s none of my business how you use it.

We actually have it, as part of family illness

Some companies offer that downunder

I'm so sorry you lost your friend.

Exactly. My siblings are MAGA. Let me mourn my cat.

Wow. This is so true. This could have been me-- if I was clever enough to put those things together.

I'm so sorry for your precious loss. May your furbaby's memory be for a blessing ❤️❤️❤️

Not official policy, but my manager gave me 5 days PTO after my 17 year old cat passed

Hugggggggssss.

Omg yes

Most workplaces do not require you provide proof of death to receive your bereavement leave. So, if you just tell them that Uncle Fluffy died, you will get your three days off.

🙃☺️

How much was grandma paying you?

💯❣️ ❤️‍🩹 The loss of a non-human companion who accompanied you through hell and points beyond often hurts more than losing a human loved one.

My dogs were what comforted me from the loss of one parent and the subsequent estrangement from another. Losing them was losing my peace of mind.

Agreed

Damn. I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Completely agree with everything you mentioned. It's a stressful time to lose someone close to you.

Our Tommy passed away last summer. Luckily my husband and I work in schools so we were on break and were able to take time to grieve. I really don't know how we could've done it if we were working.

He was a beautiful kitty.

I shared my home with Tommy's doppelganger and losing him was absolutely devasting. He was a young 12 year old when I had to let him go.

I'm sending this old man off to the Rainbow Bridge on Aug 2. 💔 It's the start of a week of "vacation" for me, so that's how we do it when we don't get pet bereavement leave. Hopefully I'll be able to be productive again by the time I go back to work.

I'll be thinking of him. Hugs ❤️

And pet insurance should be an optional module with company health insurance plans.

I passed on bereavement leave when I heard that my father checked out.

We allow it at our vet clinic. They are absolutely family!

OH NOOOOOOOO I'm so very sorry its just the worst thing ever.

So sorry for your loss.

And if you lost a pet I’m so sorry

In my job I support a client who has pet bereavement!

😂😐

My dog's passing shattered me, as well. I couldn't focus for days or more.

I remember calling my boss the morning I found my Amber girl in the living room, having died suddenly out of nowhere (probably an undiagnosed heart problem they said) while crying like crazy. She had dogs so understood. I was off for three days.

Mine doesn’t for us, but we’re a resort and if somebody calls to tell me they’re cancelling last minute because their pet is sick or has died, I am damn well going to make an exception and refund them. If‘be done it before and will again. It’s the one thing I can to help them. I’m sorry: ♥️🐾

I’ve had to say goodbye to too many furry friends to do otherwise.

Yes, I was more upset when my sweet animals died then my mean family members ❤️

Yes, PTO for you, if for no other reason than to comfort your other pets who *are* mourning the loss of someone they had a lifetime bond with--I know that surviving pets mourn and grieve just as we do.

When my Tigger passed in 2018, I had to go to work (brand new job), I was a hot mess for several days. I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this 😞

My girl, is 13 now. She's gone blind, has diabetes, a limp ... and my family says, "Well, you know she's an old dog" as if my running around for the right meds, food, whatever, is wasted energy. Fuck them. I know what matters. She does! I refuse to miss a minute of caring for her.

I completely agree. My boy was 13 also & we were like a pit crew tending to his every need. The time, energy & expense never mattered bc in the end he knew he was truly loved

Ugh, I feel for you. It’s heartbreaking & so much emotionally & physically for both of you. I’m going through something similar with my 12 year old girl.

And she loves! & appreciates! all you do for her♥️ My guy is 13, also. I've cancelled a November vacation to be here for ♥️him♥️

My work does. It was really nice to see it as a time off option.

Be careful. Some clever corporate HR person is considering "flexible bereavement leave quotas, maximum of four in a lifetime."

When my heart cat died in 2015 I became despondent and no longer cared if I lived or died. My therapist wrote me a note for a month of disability. It saved my life. Trying to work when I was a hair away from wanting to self harm was impossible, and I loved my job. Wishing you peace.

I was really lucky and my job let me go into negative PTO while I grieved. He was my best friend.

Agreed! I didn’t bother going to my grandmothers funeral…but we pictures of our dearly departed dog all over.

Surgeon friend was shocked at his depth of sorrow of his dog's passing....cancelled surgery & office hours for 2 days. His first dog, he was totally blindsided by his grief.

💯- totally agree! I just had to say goodbye to my 15 year old pup. Thankfully I have a wonderful manager and he allowed me to take 3 “sick” days in order to mourn her passing. And luckily my employer has separate vacation / sick time. Employers should also give days off when you adopt a new pet!

We have bereavement for “family” and that no longer is defined. You can’t take it for pets and friends.

That’s can take it for pets and friends

HUGs

When my mom died I went back to work before we even had the funeral. When my dog died I needed medication & had to take 4 days off work. And I had a wonderful mother. It hits very different when losing a pet.

I've noticed that too. But by the time our mothers die we're usually not living with them. Sometimes they're terminally ill and death is almost a blessing. Pets are the IMMEDIATE family.

When my heart cat died in 2015, it was the worst thing that had ever happened to me. That includes two divorces and the deaths of both parents. Pets are often better family than people.

Sorry about your dog. I saw an adage that was akin to: you're pet is there for part of your life; you're there for their whole life. Then I cried for an hour.

It’s hard because they’re that unconditional support in our worst moments. When they’re gone… well. You’re really alone. … and now I’m sitting here crying thinking about my little bear I lost in February

You are so right. Nothing is equal to your relationship with your pet. I still grieve for my childhood pets and I am way past my childhood.

Sorry for your loss.

We literally call that "personal leave" in Australia.

yeah, I'll be taking 2 weeks sometime in the next 3 years.

Call in and say that you are sick.

I had to when mine passed but tbh I do agree with this poster. Your bereavement leave doesn’t get taken out of any other leave banks.

Ditto, my grandfather, I lost my kids in a fire. 4 of them. My grandfather was never kind.

My boss let me take 3 days after I had to put my Roscoe down, no questions, no hem/hawing, "We will see you on Monday, ok?"

My org does, but we're an animal welfare org. Then again, our sick time and pto is all lumped into one. So you can take non-vacation leave for the sickness and care of your pet, but not for your human self or relatives unless they die, in which case there is bereavement. Almost but not quite there!

Agree completely! When I lost my boy I was devastated and couldn’t stop crying for a week. Luckily, my whole team at the time were understanding and some of them dog people as well. They let me take some of my sick days off so I could grieve.

They should just expand the meaning of "family member" in the bereavement policy to include ALL family members.

I am so sorry for your loss. Your work should give you the time off, even if pet bereavement is not an official policy. It’s just the decent thing to do.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Same

The last three companies I've worked for have "pet" as a reason for bereavement leave in our HR policies.

I mourn my dogs more than people I’ve loved deeply. It hits different when you spend 24/7 with someone, regardless of species.

Never hesitate to use your sick leave for pet loss 💔

❤️💔

I totally agree.We put our family dog to sleep last weekend. My heart still aches.

I'm sorry. My doggo is taking that same journey on Aug 2. 💔

So sorry.

Bereavement leave isn’t for mourning. It’s for the social obligation to organize or attend a funeral. But yes, time to mourn the dog would be more humane.

I’m so sorry 🫂

My eldest cat is 19 years old, I've known her for longer than the age of majority for a whole ass child you better believe I'll need a day when she passes. Some people in the comments (thankfully not the majority) don't know what the enduring love for a pet is like and that makes me sad for them.

yes

I had to take PTO for my cat, tbf my boss was lovely and had no problem with me taking the day off, but yes I agree, they're a close member of the family and should be treated as such.

I mean ... You're not obligated to tell them WHO you're grieving.

I have never taken bereavement leave without having to say who the deceased was and my relationship to them, sometimes with proof (as in, my name listed in their obituary). That’s across several industries and positions. If you want the time paid, most likely you do have to tell them.

To take personal time, no, you don’t even have to give a reason. But if your company offers “bereavement leave,” you generally have to say who died (bc family is narrowly defined for this type of leave). And some have 5 days for parents/grandparents/spouse/kids but only 2 for aunts/uncles/cousins.

Rename you cats, "Mom" and "Dad".

Absolutely. It is devastating. Grief is grief. Love is love. Family is family. 💕

🫂

historically, I have told bosses only that I have had a death in the family, and leave it at that.

Sadly some employers make you prove it.

I mourned my two dogs way way way more than the woman who birthed my gorgeous mum

www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...

Completely agree. My 16 yr old cat died in March. Although I knew it was happening soon, I was still devastated. I'm lucky I have a kind boss that let me work from home the next two days, so I could privately be a mess.

I hit one of my lowest points after our 5 yearold corgi girl was taken by a brain tumor in 2016. We hoped it was anything else, we'd have given daily injections, whatever. I went through a lot of whiskey and tears. We filled a one corgi shaped hole with another a few months later and I'd do it again

but we were still grieving and our new pup was different, almost completely different in personality, which took us some adjusting. Almost ten years later and she is a very entitled princess, but God I cry whenever my photo apps bring up our first.

Exactly. I got a half day to say goodbye to the best part of our family. But the good news: I was nothing but sunshine at work in the days following.

Our PTO policy states that bereavement pay is available to those who suffer the loss of "someone close to you." That DOES include pets. It's a non-profit, by the way.

My soul leaves my body when I lose a pet. I am a ghost. Agreed.

Many, if not all, of the jobs I’ve had in the vet field included pets in their bereavement policies :^) would love to see it everywhere

I cried harder when our lab passed than at any funeral I attended.

Totally agree.

Kristi Noem would have some recommendation on how to mourn your dog the same day your grandmother passed.

My boss did give me a couple days. It was nice and needed.

My grumpy Gus -aka buddy- was 22 when he passed. He was a lovely dog. He was with us since he was 1. My Ruger passed after he lost the use of his back legs. 😞 he was with us for a long time too he was younger about 7ish. They both broke my heart. 😢 I miss them.

Totally agree And yeah, some people do not understand what our little buddies mean to us You take care of yourself and yours 🥹

I hear you.

Pets are family. They could be the only family some people have.

Some wreck while commuting, because bills exist, yet they are fatigued, and out of PTO, having used it all sitting bedside, while their most important thing slips from their fingers... Others fake deaths to avoid work... Trust people to know when PTO is needed. Also, hold liars accountable.

My dad was, he also died painfully like he should but my sweet pup she died as peacefully as possible & she was the best!

This is incredibly valid. One of my students lost her dog right before classes ended. She asked for the day off. My response was: "I'm so sorry. Take the time you need." Why should it be anything else? Who am I to judge anyone's relationship with anyone else?

I cried more for the loss of my dog than I did when my dad and brother died.

The death of anyone with whom one has a strong emotional attachment should definitely be reason for time off. Even from the employers' POV their work will suffer anyway if they don't. Mind you, some will abuse the idea, but it should be able to be easily verified/supported afterwards.

Agree 💯

"Death in the family" pets are family. You also are not required to give the whole story. "Sorry it was a death in the family I am not comfortable going into more detail"

Crap. Sorry.

I guess four grandparents is economically more viable than dozens of cats or dogs.

I was off work for 2 weeks after my Vinnie passed . . it was such a shock that I got sick and 13 years later I still well up when I thinks of him . . he was an adorable Shih Tzu . .

😢 Complete agreement. I was inconsolable after the death of one of my cats. If my husband hadn't been able to take time off to help me I'm not sure I would have survived that week.

My job offers a day of pto for pet bereavement. (It’s an animal shelter)

💯

My company gave me 3 days when my grandmother Barkasaurus Rex died.

Do they vet bereavement? Nobody has ever asked me who it was for, I just took it.

They don't understand that cats/ dogs are our family.

True

I took time off when my dog died. PTO is PTO. I would’ve tolerated no pushback.

💯 I’m so very sorry for your loss.

Reasonable concession.

I have only cried for pet losses. No deaths to date (i am almost 70 yrs). I don’tthink I have truly loved anyone in my life who has died. Sure, I was sad, but never broke down and cried.

Agreed!

I did that, said I wasn't feeling well and didn't say why.

100%

Last time we lost a dog, I took off the next 4 days. Was crushed. I’m one of the lucky ones. I have paid sick leave and can pretty much use it however I want. I realize hardly anyone has that option though sadly.

Our pets are our constant and they count on us. They love us in a way no human can ; there's no judgement, no negative, they just adore us as we do them. I had to euthanize my sweet angel of 17 yrs last week. I was breaking but then realized I want to celebrate her,not mourn her ❤️ DEFINITELY PTO 💗

I work in a union and continue to push to get 2 wild-card bereavements or substitutes that we can use for anyone. I would have absolutely used mine on my 18 year old cat who was my best friend. I was so broken and had to go to work anyway. It was terrible.

This. Instead we have to cry in the bathroom stalls like everything’s cool

When my cat, Bella, died late last year, my boss gave me paid special leave for a couple of days. My boss has pets too, so she knows how it feels.

I called in sick when my cat died and when I picked another cat up after surgery. I didn’t want to leave him alone that day. My work was cool about.

It is incredibly hard to lose a beloved pet. They are innocent. Their love is pure and unconditional. Then there is the added weight that often we have to decide “it is time” and there is no way to communicate to them why we are doing it. It is brutal. Crushing. May the memories of their love help.