Grief specialist breaks down the effects of losing a pet after Ariana Grande shares dog Coco has died
A counselor and grief specialist has spoken out on the heartbreak of losing a pet after Ariana Grande shared the sad news that her dog Coco has died.
The 33-year-old Wicked actress paid tribute to her pup, who was by her side for 17 years, in an emotional Instagram post on Monday (19 October).
Grande shared a slideshow of black-and-white photos of herself with the Dachshund-German shepherd mix, and wrote in the caption: “sweetest, most amazing and most beautiful coco … i am so proud of you. thank you for your love, and for blessing this planet with your physical presence for over seventeen wonderful years. you make everywhere you go a more beautiful place. i will miss you every day and hold you in my heart always. i love you so, sweet girl.”
British influencer Stella Tzortzi also shared her devastation over losing her dog Chico in a tear-jerking social media post on the same day.
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She wrote: “l’ve never experienced a heart break quite like this, I miss you baby, more than you’ll ever know, I don’t know why the world was so cruel and took you so early.
“Our home will never be the same without you, our little family unit feels incomplete without you.
“You were cookies eyes when she lost hers, you guided her protected her and for that owe you my life Cheeky boy. I can’t wait till we meet in the next life and I can squeeze you again, till next time baby boy.”
If you haven’t lost a pet, it can be difficult to understand the emotions that follow when you lose them, and why they can feel so extreme.
Why losing a pet is so impactful
Tyla spoke with Dr. Vinnie Cappetta, a counselor, grief specialist, and mental fitness coach at Check Your Compass, who broke down why losing a pet is so impactful.
He explained: “Pets become part of the rhythm of our everyday lives. They're there when we wake up, when we come home, and often during some of our most difficult moments.
“They provide companionship, affection, and a sense of emotional safety without asking much in return.
“When a pet dies, we're not simply losing an animal. We're losing a relationship, a source of comfort, and countless little moments of connection throughout the day.
“It's often those ordinary moments - the empty spot on the couch, the silence when we walk through the door -that make the loss so painful.”
Dr Cappetta outlined that the ‘depth of grief isn't determined by whether the relationship was with a person or an animal’ but ‘by the strength of the attachment and the role that relationship played in our lives’.
This is why losing a pet might feel more painful than a distant family member you aren’t close to, and it doesn’t mean those feelings are wrong.
The expert said: “For some people, a pet has been their most consistent companion through loneliness, illness, divorce, or other difficult seasons. That relationship may have provided a kind of safety and acceptance they struggled to find elsewhere. We don't need to compare losses to validate them.
Speaking on why our bonds with pets can feel so strong and unbreakable, he added: “Our relationships with pets are often built around consistency, trust, affection, and shared experiences. Pets become part of our families and daily identities.
“There is also something powerful about being loved without having to perform or achieve. A dog doesn't care whether you received a promotion, made a mistake at work, or had a terrible day. They're simply happy you're home.
“That kind of dependable companionship can create a remarkably strong emotional attachment.”
How to cope with the death of a pet
He urged that when a big-name celebrity like Ariana Grande loses a beloved pet, it reminds us that ‘grief is a universal human experience’.
“Her loss creates an opportunity to recognize something important: Pet grief is real grief, and people deserve compassion rather than comparisons or dismissive comments,” Dr Cappetta explained.
If you are sadly going through a difficult time with pet loss, the grief specialist says that one of the most important things is to allow yourself to grieve without judging how you're grieving.
He explained: “In Positive Intelligence (PQ), we teach people to recognize the voice of their inner Judge and practice responding with greater empathy.
“If someone finds themselves thinking, ‘I shouldn't be this upset; it was just a dog,’ I'd encourage them to challenge that thought. Instead, they might say, ‘I'm hurting because this relationship mattered to me’.
“That simple shift from judgment to compassion can make a meaningful difference.”
You can also try brief mindfulness exercises called PQ Reps, which involve focusing your attention on physical sensations, such as your breathing or the feeling of your fingertips touching, to help interrupt spiraling thoughts and provide a moment of steadiness when grief feels overwhelming.
Dr Capetta concluded: “The goal isn't to make the sadness disappear. Grief needs space, not suppression.
“I'd also encourage people to remember their pets intentionally. Share stories, look at pictures, create a small memorial, or talk with someone who understands what the relationship meant to you.
“And perhaps most importantly, recognize that healing doesn't mean forgetting. Grief is about loving and remembering.”
Topics: Ariana Grande, Mental Health, Animals, Celebrity, News
Madison Burgess