Animals can feel a variety of emotions, including happiness, sadness and even grief, just like people. A heartbreaking video of a cat searching for his beloved sister has recently gone viral on TikTok.
The tear-jerking video by owner Rae Anne Skillen (@growuptobekind) has amassed 1.2 million views since it was posted on April 21.
The footage shows Texas Ranger, 15, visiting the grave of Timber, a Maine Coon cross, who died on April 18, from liver failure, at age 10.
Skillen, from Ontario, Canada, told Newsweek: “Texas knew his sister was very ill and was with her every step of the way through life and death.
Texas Ranger (left) sleeps next to a shrine and candle of his companion. At right is 10-year-old Timber’s grave.
Rae Anne Skillen./TikTok/@growuptobekind
“But he still looks for her, cries real tears, and spends time in all her favorite spots. He is very grief-stricken.”
Skillen, the CEO of Grow Up to Be Kind, a children’s mental health service, explained that the senior cat was present when his companion died.
“We were laying with her for hours knowing her time with us had come to an end after fighting liver failure for the past 10 months,” she said. “She had two different veterinarians try different approaches with no success.”
Texas Ranger, 15, is sitting on the left tree stub and Timber is on the right. The pair were inseparable.
Rae Anne Skillen./TikTok/@growuptobekind
How Animals GrieveThe James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University explained how various species exhibit signs of grief, highlighting observations of specific behaviors in domestic animals and wildlife.
“Historically, wild animals have been known to express grief by letting out a yelp, wandering aimlessly, and eventually reorganizing their pack,” the website says.
Domestic pets may refuse to eat or adjust a new eating schedule after losing a companion or when separated from their owner. They can be enticed with their favorite foods or special treats.
Owners are advised to leave their deceased pet’s bed, water and food bowls around for a few days after the death. The changes in appetite should be temporary, but if it persists and the grieving pet loses weight, then they should see a veterinarian.
Grieving cats may also exhibit a change in behavior such as acting lethargic, searching and becoming more clingy.
TikTok ReactsThe video captioned: “Watching him is hard,” has received more than 77,000 likes and more than 2,300 comments. Skillen isn’t the only one who found the video difficult.
“I just cried. I’m so sorry, it’s gut wrenching I know,” said one user.
Another said: “Animals absolutely grieve their humans and other animals. We don’t give enough credit to their intelligence.”
A third commenter said: “So sad animals are so smart and he misses his sister.”
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.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Source : Newsweek