Why losing a dog can be harder than losing a relative or friend

Your own pet is never “just a dog.”

Frank T. McAndrew, Knox College

Recently, my wife and I went through one of the more excruciating experiences of our lives – the euthanasia of our beloved dog, Murphy. I remember making eye contact with Murphy moments before she took her last breath – she flashed me a look that was an endearing blend of confusion and the reassurance that everyone was ok because we were both by her side.