Today, I’d like to talk about the challenges of working while experiencing pet loss.
There are many aspects to this.
Can you take time off from work because of a pet’s death?
If so, how do you go about it?
Some people may even find themselves crying at work.
The truth is, the loss of a pet and our professional lives are more closely connected—and more serious—than we might expect.
Finding a Reason to Keep Going
In this post, I want to focus on what gave me the strength to keep working.
When it comes to coping with the pain of pet loss, having support from someone often makes the healing process faster. For example, when a supervisor or colleague notices how you’re doing, just knowing that someone understands can give you the strength to move forward. Some people even find happiness in working alongside those who care about them, and that alone motivates them to keep going.
For others who don’t share their situation at work, family or friends often become that source of support. Especially within families, the pain is shared, and that makes mutual understanding possible.
But many of my customers seem to carry the burden alone. Unable to talk to anyone else, they sometimes reach out to me.
One day, I received a request like this:
That was the beginning of our workplace-friendly memorial goods—blankets with patterns like houndstooth or stripes. One customer told me that using this product helped them feel strong enough to face work again.
Today, there are many customers who use our knitted stoles at their jobs. They want to feel wrapped in their pet’s warmth. They want to feel their beloved one beside them, even at work.
If you feel the same, I invite you to take a look at our knitted stoles. The outer side is a houndstooth pattern, making it perfectly suitable for the workplace, while the inner side is woven with your pet’s design—bringing both warmth and comfort as you work.
The Connection Between Pet Loss and Work
The relationship between losing a pet and continuing to work is complex, with many challenges. I’ve written more detailed articles on this topic. If you’d like, please take a look:
[How to Take Time Off Work When a Pet Dies]
One of the most important questions when balancing grief and work is how to take leave. Here are some key points to consider.
[When You Can’t Focus at Work]
Crying at your desk or struggling to concentrate is common after a loss. This article may help.
[Thinking About Quitting Your Job]
Some people feel they can’t go on, especially if hurtful words were said at work. Before you quit, please read this.
[The Day My Cat Passed Away and I Went to Work]
My own experience of losing a cat and heading straight to work afterward.
[When You Can’t Take Time Off for a Funeral]
Funerals and how to handle remains are important but often unclear. This article may help those in that situation.
[How to Respond to Hurtful Words at Work]
Sadly, many people have faced unkind remarks in the workplace. If you’ve had a similar experience, I hope this article brings some comfort.