The loss of a pet, especially in these emotionally-charged times, can be one of the most difficult life experiences to come to terms with, say experts. In a recent blog post, actor and comedian Vir Das recounted his own struggles with coming to terms with the death of his bulldog, Dr Watson. Mentioning that he was not present at the time of his dog’s passing, being in quarantine in London, Das pointed out that the feeling of isolation was especially profound. Pets have taken on special meaning during the pandemic, explains Dr Nahid Dave, a psychiatrist at Thought Matters. As the world locked up and stayed increasingly indoors, cut off from social interactions, pet parents began to depend on their pets to fulfil their emotional needs.

Vir Das with Dr Watson