4 ms·

The title makes a bold claim but the article does not back it up, the main argument about it being harder is that you are losing a companion that provided uncri

The title makes a bold claim but the article does not back it up, the main argument about it being harder is that you are losing a companion that provided uncritical unconditional love. I suppose humans can be quite critical. That aspect may be true but I have lost my dad and my dog and the loss of my dad is infinitely more harder, no question - I still think about him every single day, I don't do the same for my dog, who I also loved very much. One aspect of the death of my dog that was very hard was that I had to make the decision to go ahead with euthanasia at the vet, because he could not longer get up and was in pain (he just lay on his side due to his extreme stage of cancer). That was hard, knowing that I made the decision to end his life at that moment, that haunted me and I wish he had just died by himself. That is hard, but it's the complexity of a human relationship and the critical feedback and love that we get from a human loved one that allows us to grow and learn and a big reason I think why I miss my human relatives more than my dog.

ickwabe 10y ago
"Can" is the operative word there. I have had experiences similar to your own and for me, the death of my father was much more devastating. But I can imagine less socially connected folks or folks with poor family relationships being utterly devastated by the loss of a pet that is providing unconditional acceptance and companionship.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
nck4222 10y ago
Yeah I don't mean to get in to a "which death is harder to overcome" pissing match, but I've lost dogs as well as close relatives and friends and the two weren't even remotely close in difficulty. I get that it's possible in some circumstances that for some people losing their dog will be harder than losing a relative, but I think for the vast majority of people and circumstances this is not going to be the case. The article even ends with: >While the death of a dog is horrible, dog owners have become so accustomed to the reassuring and nonjudgmental presence of their canine companions that, more often than not, they’ll eventually get a new one. You can replace the love a dog gives you, and most people end up doing just that. You can't replace the love your father gives you. You can't replace the love your best friend has given you since you were 8. You can't replace the 50 years of life you were planning to share together.
- scoreponok 10y ago
  I've lost many beloved pets throughout my life, it's devastating for sure but i've also felt the pain of losing both of my parents, for me, it's not even close. You make a good point about irreplaceability. It doesn't bother me that my kids didn't get to meet my childhood dog, but it really hurts they will never get to meet their grandparents.

ickwabe 10y ago

"Can" is the operative word there. I have had experiences similar to your own and for me, the death of my father was much more devastating. But I can imagine less socially connected folks or folks with poor family relationships being utterly devastated by the loss of a pet that is providing unconditional acceptance and companionship.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

nck4222 10y ago

Yeah I don't mean to get in to a "which death is harder to overcome" pissing match, but I've lost dogs as well as close relatives and friends and the two weren't even remotely close in difficulty. I get that it's possible in some circumstances that for some people losing their dog will be harder than losing a relative, but I think for the vast majority of people and circumstances this is not going to be the case. The article even ends with: >While the death of a dog is horrible, dog owners have become so accustomed to the reassuring and nonjudgmental presence of their canine companions that, more often than not, they’ll eventually get a new one. You can replace the love a dog gives you, and most people end up doing just that. You can't replace the love your father gives you. You can't replace the love your best friend has given you since you were 8. You can't replace the 50 years of life you were planning to share together.

scoreponok 10y ago
I've lost many beloved pets throughout my life, it's devastating for sure but i've also felt the pain of losing both of my parents, for me, it's not even close. You make a good point about irreplaceability. It doesn't bother me that my kids didn't get to meet my childhood dog, but it really hurts they will never get to meet their grandparents.