New research out today has revealed that half of dog owners who have lost a pet have taken time off work to mourn their loss. A third of those who have taken time off as a result of their dog passing away, took just one day off work to deal with their grief, while an additional 29 per cent took two days off.
The research, which has been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance, highlights the deep rooted emotional attachment people have with their dogs as nearly one in five British dog owners whose pet died took a week or more off work as a result of their grief.
Photo Credit: BPPrice
While some dog owners took the time off work as annual leave, the majority (almost two thirds) were honest with their employers about the reason for their absence. Some owners, however, clearly felt embarrassed about their feelings, with one in eight phoning in sick and one in 10 claiming it was a family bereavement.
The research also highlighted that women were more likely to be honest with their employers about the reason for their time off work, with 64 per cent telling their employer their dog had died compared to just 39 per cent of men. Men were much more likely than women to tell work there had been a family bereavement.
Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, says: “Losing a dog often feels like losing a member of the family and our research shows that dog owners frequently need time at home to deal with their grief. Our policies include a bereavement help-line which helps owners deal with their loss. As a nation of dog lovers, it is important to recognise the emotional impact on someone who has lost a beloved pet and be sympathetic to their loss.”
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