Humans aren’t the only ones that mourn the loss of a loved one. Jeremy May, president of Elements Cremation, Pre-planning & Burial in British Columbia, Canada, can attest to this. He just met a dog named Sadie who exemplified this reality in the most memorable way possible.
Sadie’s best buddy died of a heart attack earlier this year, following 13 years of constant companionship. When everything happened, she was at his side, as she had always been.
“After the paramedics arrived and were unable to resuscitate him, Sadie laid next him and repeatedly placed her head on and beneath his hand,” May told The Dodo.
The man’s wife and family, as well as Sadie, were distraught. During the ten days coming up to the burial, it became clear that the bereaved dog was unable to cope.
“During that period, Sadie refused to eat, would not sleep by herself, and would spend her days waiting for him to return,” May added.
Then everything changed.
ELEMENTS CREMATION, PRE-PLANNING & BURIAL
The deceased’s widow brought Sadie to the burial, and May recognized that she shouldn’t be treated any differently than any other grieving family member.
Sadie was greeted warmly as she entered the chapel to say her final farewell.
“The dog was as essential to us as a husband and child, so we had to let it happen,” May explained. “You could feel and hear the visitors’ emotions in the room as Sadie approached the casket. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was an emotional and nerve-wracking experience.”
ELEMENTS CREMATION, PRE-PLANNING & BURIAL