My sister’s cat died several months ago, but she’s still actively grieving. I think it’s time to suck it up and move on – how can I tell her she’s driving me crazy with this?

People love their pets and consider them members of their families. Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support and unconditional affection during the time they share with us. So when the beloved pet dies, it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your sorrow.

Talk to your sister and help her find ways to cope with her grief. She may want to reach out for help from the Delta Society, which has a list of pet loss hotlines for those grieving over the death of a pet, or to her local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group.

You can also ask her to write a journal or a poem of those memories of her cat that bring smiles instead of tears. And in prayer, she may want to ask the intercession of St. Francis, who loved animals and is the patron saint of our pets.