The day before yesterday, December 2, would have been my dog Daisy’s 18th birthday. Sadly, she passed away last year, just one day after her 17th birthday—at 3 a.m. on December 4.

I had braced myself for a wave of sadness on her birthday. While I did shed some tears, I found myself feeling mostly happy as I reflected on all the joy Daisy brought into my life. However, yesterday, the day after her birthday, was much harder. I spent the day feeling anxious, like I was holding my breath. It marked the anniversary of her last day alive, and reliving the memories of her passing was incredibly painful.

There it was again—grief. Heavy and overwhelming, like a fresh wound. But why does it feel this way?

This reflection inspired me to write about why pet parents often grieve so deeply when a beloved pet dies. Many people who don’t share their lives with pets struggle to understand why this loss can feel as profound—or even more so—than losing a close human companion. The pain can be intense and the emptiness overwhelming.

Think about it: no matter how close we are to the humans in our lives, our pets are often closer. They share nearly every moment with us. They’re with us in the kitchen when we cook, nearby when we eat, beside us in the yard or garden, and even “helping” with chores like laundry. They sleep near us, some accompany us on errands or to work, and they follow us everywhere.

Pets teach us so much. They show us responsibility, patience, discipline, playfulness, and above all, unconditional love.

When a beloved pet dies, we grieve for more than just their life—we grieve for the way our own lives are suddenly altered. We miss the routines we shared and the constant, comforting presence they provided.

Yet, there’s comfort in knowing that the depth of our grief reflects the immense joy our pets brought to our lives. Daisy gave me so much love and happiness that I’ll never run out of memories to make me smile, laugh, or feel cherished.