The UK is a nation of dog lovers, but sadly, a new survey from Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Ballymena, has revealed that one in ten who have ever experienced the loss of their beloved dog felt that there wasn’t anyone they could speak to about their grief.
An overwhelming 89% of UK adults told the charity that they believed losing a dog is like losing a close family member. However, despite the clear emotional ties we have with our dogs, this survey of UK dog owners, and those who have owned a dog in the past, revealed that around half experienced barriers to opening up about their feelings following the death.
Some of the reasons given for not opening up include believing others wouldn’t understand their feelings (22%), fear of being judged for being upset (15%), feeling embarrassed about their levels of distress (12%) and not being able to find the right words to describe their feelings (13%).
And, while the majority (74%) felt they could turn to close family to share feelings of grief over the loss of the dog, just 13% felt they could discuss it with employers and colleagues.
To address the emotional void felt by many following the loss of their dog, Dogs Trust has launched its first Walk for Our Old Friends (WOOF) event. It is hoped that encouraging owners to get together to share their cherished memories and the fun times they had with their canine companion will help them come to terms with their loss.
The charity is calling on people across Northern Ireland to get together with friends and family and walk in memory of their much missed four legged friends.
Signing up to participate in a Woof Walk is free, but with a £10 donation to the charity, participants will receive a WOOF branded lanyard with a memory card attached to wear during their walk and a WOOF branded wildflower coaster containing seeds to plant in their garden or along their dog’s favourite walk.
People are also being invited to share their memories of their dogs on the Dogs Trust Memory Wall. More details about the WOOF Walk and how to download the online packs can be found here.
Samantha Davis, Legacy and In-Memory Manager at Dogs Trust commented saying:
“The loss of a pet dog can be as devastating as losing a family member. Dogs hold a special place in our hearts, offering unconditional love and companionship, and when they pass away, the grief can be profound and, sadly for some, isolating.
“It's really important that owners who experience the loss of their canine companions can open up and share their feelings with friends and family. Many will find solace in knowing they are not alone."