Is the loss of a pet a suitable reason to miss work?

@casheroo, I would think it’s reasonable. Use a personal day if you can, and if your absence is not going to cause a lot of hardship on others. There’s a lot of sickness going around.

Absolutely.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’ve been there before.

:( I think that even one day might not be enough, if you have to make medical and funeral decisions. I think it’s a totally valid reason. I’m sorry for your loss.

I think it is. I’m really sorry.

If you physically felt the misery you emotionally feel, you’d be calling out sick. So, yes, I think so. When I had a pet die and I was a crying, blubbering wreck, I called out and said that I had a family emergency. The pet was my family, and it was an emergency. End of story.

Of course. I think most people, except evil, animal haters will know what you are going through. If something were to happen to any of my cats, I wouldn’t hesitate to call in. You need time to grieve. You won’t be very helpful to your employer if you are trying to hold back the tears.

I’m so sorry. Do something nice for yourself, and maybe in time, a new furry friend.

I’m so sorry for your loss. You are losing a family member, a treasured friend. Take a personal day and be good to yourself.

My SO’s cat died a year ago this month, and when I thought the time was getting short, I told him to take the day off so he could spend the final moments with him. He called out, and dwas glad he was able to comfort his old cat as he passed. He id the same thing poof did, saying there was a family emergency when he called out.

The three of us all work at the same company, and if he had said what was really going on, he probably wouldhave been reprimanded. Big corporations can suck like that, sad to say. I don’t know how much heart your employers have, but to be on the safe side, you may not want to tell them the reason why you are calling out. but by all means, take the time you need to grieve. Sometimes pets are much more valuable than our human families.

I’m so very sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you. When we made arrangements for Angus, we were given a copy of a poem that gave us a lot of comfort. I’m passing this on to you hoping it will help with your grief.

Just this side of heaven is a place called *Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

I’m sorry for your loss.

Hey! Ever hear of a mental health day? People don’t need to tell their boss the details behind their depression. Just say “I won’t be in because I’m not feeling well”. Any more detail is nobody’s business.

Then, take it as a SICK day.

When anyone who works for me calls in sick, I NEVER ask for the details. I fear they might actually TELL ME!

No. If it’s a paid day, no way.

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. I’m trying to get my shift covered, but I doubt that will happen.

Yes, it is a suitable reason. When my dog died last year, my boss didn’t even expect to see me in the office. She knew my dog was my family. So very sorry for your loss. Scamps poem helped me during my loss also.

@chyna isn’t it a beautiful poem? I looked aroung the site I found it on, and they have memorial spots. I read some of them, and they brought tears to my eyes. I just kind of stumbled onto that site while looking for the poem. There is a forum, and also a grief center. What a great find.

I am so sorry about your cat. To me, pets are family.

Yes! Very sorry for your loss. My condolences.

So sorry to hear about your cat, casheroo. It certainly is acceptable to take a day for yourself after such a loss.

@scamp – that poem brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It was sent to me after my bunny, Autumn, passed away.

That sucks for you. I would never take off work because a pet died. At my current job, they would fire me if I did. I only get half days to go to funerals of people. For a pet, no way.

Of course. And if your boss won’t let you, you’re working for a dictator.

Or at least a dick.

Typically, the places I have worked wouldn’t allow you to officially take the day off over the death of a pet, and some of the bosses I have had would have twitted me forever over even having asked. However, if you are too upset to work no boss in his/her right mind would want to have you weeping in to the goulash. Thus, a white lie is in order.

You can say that due to a death in the family you cannot come in. You can say you feel too ill to come in (especially if you cite something contagious). You don’t have to give details. If you can get your shift covered then there shouldn’t be any argument from your boss because the work will still get done.

If your employer doesn’t think so, then it’s a suitable reason to leave (or at least despise) your employer.

Of course you might want to wait for the economy to pick up a bit first.

I’m very sorry about your loss. I had to ask for a week’s vacation when my cat died. She was 18 years old. I don’t know how my boss felt about it and I don’t care. If I didn’t have vacation time I would of asked for two days off, with or without pay, didn’t matter to me. I’m pretty sure my boss would of thought I was a looney tune, but some people think of their pets the same way they might consider their knick knacks sitting on a shelf. They don’t have the same compassion we pet lovers do.