Psychologist Emma Kenny appeared on This Morning on Wednesday to discuss grief for pets, sharing her own heartache over the loss of her beloved chihuahua Molly in July. The regular panellist was close to tears as she spoke about how the death of her dog reopened wounds from the loss of her father, who died by suicide in 2019 after a battle with psychosis.
Kenny explained the concept of 'accumulative grief', saying that when she lost Molly, she felt as though she had lost her father all over again. She described how her dog had been a constant companion, cuddling up with her in bed every night since her father's death, and emphasised that people should take pet loss seriously as it can be as painful as losing a close relative.
During the segment, hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford spoke to callers who were struggling with the deaths of their pets. One caller, who had lost her 16-year-old dog in the same month as Kenny, seven years after her own father's death, resonated deeply with the psychologist. Kenny offered advice, urging the caller to give herself the time and space to grieve properly.
Kenny previously bravely shared her father's story on the show to encourage others to open up about their grief. She reminded viewers that acknowledging the reality of the loss is crucial, whether it is a person or a pet.
If you or someone you know is struggling, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org.
