Coronation Street viewers were subject to some tough scenes on Wednesday's episode of the show, when Evelyn Plummer's pet dog Cerberus died after experiencing kidney failure.
Fans were left "sobbing" and a "mess" during the heatbreaking scenes where Evelyn and Tyrone said their goodbyes, calling him a "good boy" and their "best friend", before he was tragically put down.
"Watching the sadness of Cerberus’s last moments has had a huge effect on so many," says Lianna Champ who is a grief and bereavement expert with over 40 years’ experience. "It brings home the fragility of life with a pet."
The scenes could have been particularly triggering for those viewers who have previously experienced the grief of losing a pet. "If we have lost a pet, either recently or a long time ago, the scenes with Cerberus can bring everything to the forefront
"It’s very human to feel the sadness of our losses even some time after we have experienced them. By allowing ourselves to feel our sadness in the moments our memories nudge us, we are having a natural and healthy emotional experience. It’s only when we can’t lift ourselves from sadness over a long period of time that we need to seek some help."
Lianna explains that losing a pet is a specific sort of pain that shouldn't be underestimated. "It’s never 'just a dog' or 'just a pet', as the animals become much-loved members of our family. They provide a never-ending source of unconditional love. We create magical bonds with them by talking, playing, as well as hugging and stroking, which releases endorphins into our bodies that serve to deepen the bond."
If you're recently lost a pet, then Lianna shares seven ways to cope with the bereavement:
1. It’s okay to struggle
Pet loss can be just as devastating as human loss, and we may be surprised by the intensity of our feelings. Just like any loss, we need to take time to process our feelings and to allow our sadness and sorrow to surface. We still need to address our pain and reconcile our loss. Allow yourself space to feel everything.
2. Remember the happy times
It's okay to feel sad, but also try to remind yourself of all the love and joy that they brought into your life. In lower moments, try to focus on the fact that you have given your pet a loving home and they lived their best life with you.
3. Don't shield children from everything
If you have children, let them see your sadness by sharing your feelings, tears and reflections with them honestly, and then ask them to share how they feel. Let them know that whatever they say is ok. By letting them vent, they are working through their grief.
Work together on creating a scrapbook filled with cherished memories – draw pictures, choose photographs, and write about your memories. This is a positive outlet for their sadness, and they can look at the creation when they are missing their pet.
4. Remember the other pets
If you have other pets at the time of the loss, remember that they will be feeling the absence of their companion too. Try to keep them in a routine as this will provide some semblance of normalcy. Give them some extra affection, which will have the added benefit of relieving some of your pain. Sometimes grief can feel like a big ball of love with nowhere to go.
5. Create a special spot
Plant a special memory tree or a plant in the garden in their honour. This can be somewhere you can go when you want to take a moment to think of your pet or even talk to them.
If this isn't feasible choose your favourite photo of them and put it in a beautiful frame. You can place this somewhere that you'll see regularly, or if this is too painful put it in a less visited spot for when you want to have a moment.
6. Try volunteering
Offering your help at a local animal sanctuary, means you can still be surrounded by animals. Sometimes through doing for others, we soothe our own pain.
7. Think carefully
Do not rush out to buy a new pet in the hope of replacing the loss to make yourself feel better, because you may find it difficult to bond in the early days. Just like humans, pets have their own unique personalities. Each relationship with each pet is totally one of a kind. You have to take the time to mourn your loss before introducing a new addition into the family fold.
Lianna Champ has over 40 years’ experience as a grief and funeral care specialist and is author of practical guide, How to Grieve Like A Champ (Red Door Publishing, £3.99).
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