Pet grief comes in waves. One minute you are shocked, numb to the pain; and then the next, you’re sobbing uncontrollably. They were there with you through it all, and learning to live without them again is a gut punch.
Yet that is the price pet owners pay for loving something so dearly, and one woman has shared that the wave of emotions happens to everyone in her April 23 TikTok video, posted to the account @biancalarissita.
In the clip, Bianca Gomez returns to an eerie home. No longer is she greeted by her childhood dog Zoey. Instead, all she has to remember her pet by is her blanket and collar. The tears start to flow as soon as she enters the house. Her sobs are heard loud and clear through the camera, hitting viewers right in the heart as many could relate.
The TikTok video had over 3.7 million views, more than 555,000 likes, and almost 10,000 comments as of Monday. The caption reads: “To live a life without you was something I just wasn’t ready for. I miss you so much Zoey.”
@biancalarissita/TikTok
Gomez told Newsweek via TikTok that she had Zoey for 17 years. Her grandparents first brought the Chihuahua miniature pinscher mix over from her aunt in a shoe box because she was so tiny. Zoey was the runt of the litter. For nearly two decades, since Gomez was 11, her pup has been there through all of life’s moments.
Gomez said that she has been doing OK since the video was posted. However, it gets harder at night as Zoey used to sleep in bed with her.
As heartbroken as Gomez has been about the loss of Zoey, she knew it was important to share what she’s been going through.
“I believe it would be beneficial to educate people about how pet loss is real, and it takes a piece out of someone when they lose a pet,” Gomez said.
TikTok viewers offered support in the comment section as many have gone through the same set of emotions. It’s the unfortunate reality that comes with owning a pet.
“Pet grief is the absolute worst. It’s been a year and I can’t move past it. Take your time,” wrote one TikTok user.
Another added: “I still haven’t put his stuff away. We’re coming up on 4 months. Take your time sweet thing I’m so sorry for your loss.”
A third posted: “I am so sorry. As soon as you opened that door I started balling.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] 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.