Dogs have keen emotional intelligence, so they often sense sadness, anxiety and pain, and do their best to comfort us with their loyal, watchful presence. Stories of dogs lying quietly by the beds of people who are sick and dying, keeping them silent, sympathetic company, abound.
In times of stress, dogs offer offer comic relief and a safe conduit for expressing feeling. Children, especially, may find it easier to talk about what they’re feeling if they can express it “through” a beloved pet. Children going through a divorce often derive particular comfort and a feeling of security from the reliable, affectionate presence of a pet. A statement like “Daisy is going to be lonely when I’m at Daddy’s house” is an opening into a child’s thoughts through which an attentive adult can reach, and, with luck, relieve some of his worry.
Pets can also fill a vital need during times of ultimate stress by providing a sense of routine and normalcy in the midst of tragedy. The dog must still be fed, let in and out, and walked, and that walk around the block helps life go on.
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