I grieved for my cat more than for my father or mother

The man who features first in this video oozes love for his cat who has passed away. It is a magnificently dedicated and true love. It is unconditional love – both ways. That is the beauty of “pet love”. It ain’t tricky or slippery. It isn’t undermined by shady human behavior. It is there, in front of you. It is utterly reliable.

A lot of people who understand the value of companion animal friendship can totally empathize with what these people say. I certainly can. My grief over the loss my cats Missie and Binnie is far deeper than my grief at the passing of my father or mother. That speaks volumes doesn’t it?

A lot of people won’t understand that. Not at all. How can a person love a cat more than their father and mother? Easy, really.

The video is an extract from an American award winning first feature documentary by Amy Finkel. It has won multiple awards on the festival circuit.

The film explores pet death and grief, looking at the incredible ways in which people honor their animals. Amy combines a journalist’s thoroughness focusing on the psychology, hormonal responses and commemorations with great sympathy for life’s big themes.

Some of the ways people in the States have maintained a connection with their deceased animal companions are:

• tattooing a pet’s remains into yourself! – too extreme for me
• keeping your cat’s last poo
• freeze drying your pet
• turning you cat’s ashes into a jewel to wear

To some Europeans these might seem a bit extreme but the sentiment is the same anywhere: the deep love which true cat and dog caretakers have which endures beyond the death of the animal. They can’t bear the passing of their animal companion and because of the dramatically different lifespans almost all companion animal caretakers have to suffer the emotional anguish of loss.

If a visitor in America can tell me how to get hold of a DVD of this film I’d be grateful. Or you can write about it yourself and I’ll publish it on this website.