Anyone who has ever lost a dog knows how difficult an experience it is. Now, new research has confirmed that losing a dog can be as difficult as losing a human loved one.

The study found that when we bond with a dog, hormones and chemicals are released in our brains that make us feel loved and connected. These same hormones and chemicals are released when we bond with another human.

Once dogs have spent years with us, they are no different to us than anyone else in our family. In fact, losing a dog can be even harder than losing a human family member because when a loved person dies, we have tons of resources to turn to that would help us deal with the grief. When we lose a dog, however, we are expected to move on quickly as if nothing happened.

That’s why when a dog dies, most people repress their emotions, which then eat them up inside.

Psychologist Julie Axelrod explained that when we lose a dog, we lose the unconditional love and comfort that they give us. We also often schedule our entire daily routine around our dogs, which gives us an even bigger sense of loss when they are gone.

When you lose a dog, don’t feel guilty about the strong feelings of sadness that you have. You should allow yourself to go through the mourning process just as you would if a person you loved passed away.