A woman recently shared a touching video that captured her final moments with her beloved dog, Bolt, who passed away last Tuesday.
The tear-jerking clip sees Bolt trying to squeeze closer to his owner Rita, known to her followers as @.riita_c. The "clingy" behavior—that was uncharacteristic for the senior dog—led Rita to question why her pet was suddenly keen to spend as much time as close to her as possible.
After Bolt passed away, his owner came to the heartbreaking conclusion that he was straining to get closer to her because he was trying to say goodbye.
"Why is he all over me? He isn't usually this clingy? Little did I know he was saying goodbye," Rita had captioned the post. "I would've hugged you a little tighter," she added.
Rita told Newsweek about the profound bond she shared with Bolt, whom she has had since she was 8 years old. "Unfortunately, my angel passed last Tuesday. We put him down so that he wouldn't suffer anymore.
"He had cirrhosis, he fell asleep in my arms and I have to say it's the most painful thing I had to do in my life. He was my best friend. I still can't believe that he's gone, honestly, but then the memory of hearing his last breath as I break down hugging him comes to mind and then it hurts so much," Rita added. Cirrhosis is a chronic, end-stage liver disease that can manifest in dogs.
Bolt, described by Rita as the biggest sweetheart who "never bit anyone and loved to play, even when he was old," has left a void that has been difficult for his owner to fill.
The grief of losing a pet can, in some cases, feel as intense as losing a human family member. It is a sentiment that has been echoed by many pet owners who view their animals as integral parts of their families.
To provide further insight into the grieving process, Newsweek consulted Natalie Rosado, founder and owner of Tampa Counseling Place. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging the loss of a pet in the healing stage.
"As a licensed mental-health therapist who knows the significance of belonging as a basic need and recognizes how much pets can provide this companionship, losing a pet, especially a dog which many consider to be a member of the family, can be profoundly distressing," Rosado said.
Strategies for Coping With Pet Loss:
- Acknowledge your grief: Allow yourself to feel the sadness, anger, confusion, or other emotions that come with losing a pet. Acknowledging these feelings is the first step in the healing process.
- Create a digital legacy: Develop a digital memorial for your pet, such as a blog or a social-media page where friends and family can share photos, videos, and fond memories of the companion that has recently passed away.
- Nature-based rituals: Engage in activities such as releasing biodegradable lanterns into the sky, scattering flower seeds, or creating a natural stone arrangement to honor your pet's life.
- Therapeutic storytelling: Write a story or a children's book from your pet's perspective or about your journey with your animal.
- Legacy projects: Start a project in your pet's name, such as fundraising for animal shelters, organizing community pet days, or volunteering at rescue centers.
The story of Rita and Bolt, though heart-rending, brings to light once again the deep connection between humans and their pets, and the profound impact that our animals can have on our lives.
Through her grief, Rita continues to cherish the memories of Bolt, finding solace in the support from others who understand the unique bond shared with a beloved pet.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.
Her current focus is on trending ... Read more
