Loss of a pet

[MakeAHouseAHome]

Wasn't sure where to put this as it spans dogs/work/bereavement.

Our family dog is 13 (I currently still live at home so have lived with him 13 years - he is genuinely a member of the family). He was sadlt incredibly ill over Christmas and it is looking increasingly likely we will lose him in the next few days.

I know I will be an emotional wreck when this happens but I also know employers won't necessarily class the loss of a pet as a bereavement. Has anyone taken time off following a pets death and found their boss to be understanding/sympathetic?

I recently lost my dad and only got a weeks compassionate leave. So I doubt I would get anything for a pet. You would be best taking sick time as I think you will be turned down if you ask for compassionate leave.
I am not playing down how hard it is to loose a pet because I too have lost my dog and it's horrible :( just don't think most work places see it that way x

Oh I don't necessarily mean being allowed to take it as compassionate leave - hapy to take as annual leave. But as it is so last minute i am worried they won't think it is a valid reason and be unsympathetic.

My goodness, my dog is 6 and I dread the day he passes. I've often wondered how we will cope. I think your employer would authorise AL so long as it doesn't leave the team short, perhaps have the conversation with your manager in advance?
Sending you love and strength at this difficult time x

Are you back at work after the Xmas holidays yet? This might sound a bit cold, but I truly believe if a pet is incredibly ill and near death, it is much kinder to PTS earlier than later. I don't underestimate how hard it would be, but could it be easier to book time off if you knew when you have booked to PTS?

It will be hit or miss if you get a sympathetic line manager who will let you have day or two off sick (HR is unlikely to be). My niece saw her dog hit by a bus which snapped its back and had to take it screaming/suffering in the car to the vets to be PTS and she wasn't allowed any time off (she self certified off sick instead).

I took time off sick (just a day)!when we had our first cat put to sleep. I was a total mess. Sorry about your dog, they are a member of the family, it's hard xx

I has sick leave the day my cat was PTS. Couldn't see straight from swollen eyes so there was no way I would be able to do my job (in IT). I don't have children and had lived with my cat for 18 years so I think one day was perfectly reasonable.

When my family dog died I had just started a new job and it was my 3rd day so felt like I had no choice but to go in. My mum on the other had had said at work what was happening and phoned in, she was happy to take it as annual leave or sick but they put it down as special leave for 2 days.

Hope everything has been okay and thinking of you x