Sister's Cat Passed Away, But Family Says It's Nothing Compared To The Loss Of A Child

Is the loss of a pet comparable to the loss of a child?

Lakeisha

• Published in Animal Stories
• April 27, 2023

The unspoken rule is never to compare deaths, whether it be an animal or a human. It's okay that people don't share the same love for kids and pets, but it's not okay to think that losing one pains you more than the other.

Emilz_cxsh shared this post on Reddit's "AITA" subreddit. According to her, she is a 24-year-old female who cannot conceive, and she recently lost her cat, whom she had for over 12 years.

When her sister visited her and saw her crying, Emilz_cxsh told her she was upset because she lost her cat. Her sister, who has three children and has never lost one, responded that losing a cat wasn't as bad as losing a child.

This infuriated Emilz_cxsh, and she told her sister that her cat was the closest thing she had to a child. After the exchange, Emilz_cxsh's sister left, and since then, Emilz_cxsh has received several messages from her mother and cousins with kids saying that the loss of an animal isn't as severe as the loss of a child and that she should be ashamed.

Emilz_cxsh is now wondering if she is the asshole in this situation. Here's how the AITA community reacted to her post.

Here's OP's post

1. There's no shame in grieving the loss of a pet.

2. Her sister's comment is rude.

3. Her family is cruel for not being sympathetic to her loss.

4. Pets are family members.

5. Grief should not be treated like a sports competition.

6. No one has a right to tell her how to feel.

7. Losing someone, whether human or animal, hurts.

8. Her sister started the comparison.

9. Only unintelligent people downplay other people's grief.

10. Losing a pet can be devastating because they are a consistent part of our life.

11. Most people cry when they lose a pet, and it's normal.

12. She should cut off access to her for a while.

13. Pets become your child after a while.

14. She should moan her cat however she deems fit.

15. People who don't have pets usually can't understand the bond pet owners share with their pets.

16. The comparison is unnecessary.

17. What matters is that the loss of a pet is painful.

18. Losing a pet isn't as bad as losing a child, but she has a right to grief.

19. She should consider distancing herself from her family since they aren't supportive.

20. Her family hasn't lost anyone, so they can't understand how she feels.

What do you think?

Losing a pet can be a deeply emotional and hurtful experience for many people. They may have formed deep emotional bonds with their pets, relying on them for comfort and emotional support.

When a pet passes away, its owners can experience various emotions, from sadness and grief to anger and guilt. It's important not to downplay these feelings, as they are a natural and valid response to the loss of a beloved pet.

Grieving the loss of a pet can take time, and support from others can help ease the pain. It's essential to validate and acknowledge the pain of those who have lost a pet.

Lakeisha