<p>I got a phone call today informing me that my beloved pet bird of 10 years had died unexpectedly. We were boarding her outside the home for about two weeks due to some renovations at our house–ironically, to ensure her safety–but were planning to pick her up this weekend; we had missed her and were excited to have her back at home. Apparently, she was fine last night and was found dead this morning; she was “middle-aged” for her species with no current or recent health issues. I almost immediately burst into tears for a good 15 minutes after getting off the phone, and then felt horribly immature for doing so, as a) I’m an adult and b) it’s an animal, albeit a much loved one Surely I’m not the only adult who has found themselves in tears over the loss of a pet?</p>
<p>Of course, you cried. You loved this bird . I would think something was wrong if you didn’t. I cry buckets and am weepy for days when a pet dies. I am so sorry for you. Please give yourself time to grieve and do not feel bad about it. Again, my sympathy. …</p>
<p>We have all cried tons of tears around our house when any of our beloved pets have passed. They are members of our family and leave a very big hole. </p>
<p>Crying after a beloved pet dies is normal. I’m so very sorry.</p>
<p>Losing a pet, despite the cliche it makes in application essays, is one of the more painful and unforgettable events you experience through your life.</p>
<p>We had a cat die completely unexpectedly a couple of years ago. When I was talking to our vet about it, she said that a friend had left a cat with her for a weekend and that cat had died unexpectedly…so these things do happen. </p>
<p>I couldn’t drive past the veterinary clinic where our first guinea pig was euthanized for a year without crying in my car. I changed my route so I could avoid going past it for a long time… It is absolutely normal to cry when a pet dies and just shows that you love your pets. So sorry that this happened.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry to hear about your pet. </p>
<p>Not alone, not at all. I have cried so hard over the death of pets that people watching me receive the news also cried and were alarmed. I am sorry for your loss. </p>
<p>I grew up with pets, and I’ve had pets as an adult for 30 years. The death of a pet has ALWAYS been an occasion for serious mourning. Just thinking about it as I sit here typing has me on the verge of tears.</p>
<p>My sympathies.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your loss, psych. Your reaction wasn’t immature at all, particularly since it was so unexpected and sudden. Pets become very important members of our families and it’s perfectly normal to feel grief when they pass away. </p>
<p>Sorry about your bird. 
It’s always hard and it’s normal to cry. I was an adult when our dog died and I cried for days… I feel weepy just thinking about how old my family’s horse is getting, I am sure I will cry when he passes, too. Even when it’s expected it hurts, when it’s unexpected I think it must be even worse. </p>
<p>Cry. Cry for as long as you need to because that’s what people do when they lose someone they loved. Don’t feel ashamed. </p>
<p>I am sorry for your loss. We lost our dog recently. We were all crying our eyes out. One of my friend was crying herself when I told her our dog died.</p>
<p>I cried, more like wailed, the first day our dog died. Then I cried off and on for the next two days. By the fourth day, I was able to make it through the day without crying. I, too, was taken aback by my reaction, but after all, she was a member of the family.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>psych, you’re not alone. The grief is real and should not be trivialized. I’ve got tears in my eyes now thinking about putting my 14-year-old dog to sleep…and that was six years ago. </p>
<p>Both of my parents and I bawl like babies every time we lose a pet… and not just once, but for a few days. It is completely, 100% normal to cry when someone you love dies- and yes, a pet is a someone. </p>
<p><em>hugs</em> and I am so, so sorry for your loss. </p>
<p>I saw my dear Dad cry twice, when his mother died and after he took one of our dogs to be euthanized (cancer). I am sorry for your loss. A big cyber hug to you.</p>
<p>Losing my dog last year was like having surgery without anesthesia.</p>
<p>Heck I was crying earlier today when I read a follow up about a dog in a local rescue organization who was rescued in a huge operation in North Chicago back in December (27 dogs I think). I’ve been following her story on Facebook, and today it was announced that, after three surgeries on her eye since January, she lost it for good last Friday; and there was a picture of her in her pink sweater (she was actually cast to be Bruiser in one of our local high school’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical), with the upper and lower lids sewn together. The dog is going to be fine, but lost an eye, and I was crying as I was telling the story to my cleaning lady (who then started to cry). </p>
<p>Now is the time to have compassion for yourself, not judgment. </p>
<p>Given that OP’s lost pet is a bird, I’m also going to stick up for those of us who cry over our less mainstream pets. Pet owners love their lizards and rats and birds and snakes (etc.), too. Sometimes others dismiss those feelings because, for some reason, such pets are seen as less cuddly or lovable. They, too, are cherished by their families. (Guinea pig lover, signing off.) </p>