A bond between a human and a dog is really special and it’s heartbreaking when you lose a furry friend that was so close to you.
The Herald spoke to local dog trainer, Nadine Whittal, 27, to find out if such a loss could cause depression.
According to Nadine, the bond between a dog and a human is special because it’s unconditional.
Dogs are not attracted to humans because of the way they look or how much money they earn. Dogs love their humans simply because they have a true and honest relationship with them. As dogs are amoral, they couldn’t care less if you lied at work today or had road rage, simply because it has no effect on them and they are always happy to see you.”
She explained that it’s indeed possible for the loss of a dog or any pet to cause depression, adding that it depends on the relationship the person and their animal had.
For some people, dogs become like children and losing them would have a huge impact.
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“I have met many people whose dogs are just pets and nice to have. I have also met people whose dogs are an integral part of their lives. They are not just pets; they are part of the family. This is another reason why experiencing the loss of a dog can be so difficult, because it is like losing a member of the family.”
She said dogs are guided mostly by seeking their human’s acceptance, feelings of comfort and avoiding pain, and a strong bond can develop when a dog learns to rely on that person to have its needs met.
As in most relationships this bond grows stronger, and it’s entirely possible for a dog to develop a bond with someone who does not have the same bond with other people, simply because what others perceive as a possible character flaw in that person does not matter to the animal.”
Nadine believes that after losing a dog it’s important to treat the grieving process with respect.
“I like to find some way to commemorate the importance the dog had in my life, like planting a rose in remembrance. I also believe it is important not to rush out and get another puppy to fill the void. It won’t be the same. Your relationship with the new puppy would be different than the relationship you had with your previous dog. Rather, allow yourself to grieve properly and only get another puppy when you are ready to move forward.”
