CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The death of a pet is an experience that no pet owner wants to go through, but many do in their lifetime.

Linda Silver doesn’t have any kids of her own. Her pets fill that void, and they’re who she spends most of her time with. Unlike real children however, pets don’t live as long.

“This is Gabby’s paw print, the day she died they put her paw in clay,” Silver said as she pointed to a clay imprint.

Gabby passed away in June at the age of 13. It’s about as long as most German Shepherds live. Silver had her cremated when she died.

“There is still a hole in my heart, but the little girl is doing her best,” Silver said

By little girl she means her dog Rosey who is 14 weeks old. She got her in July to help cope with the death of Gabby.

Dealing with the loss of a pet is not easy. Paws, Whiskers and Wags in Charlotte is a pet crematory. They also have a free pet grief support group. Dawn Hickman said the group usually holds sessions in-person, but that has changed this year.

“With COVID, we decided to move the platform to zoom,” Hickman said.

Hickman has worked in the veterinary field for 27 years. She says sometimes other people don’t understand why the loss of a pet can be so difficult.

“Maybe they are not animal people themselves, and they just don’t understand how profound a loss of a pet is,” Hickman said. “Having people that are going through the same thing and understand is vital.”

Silver said Gabby was one of a few dogs she has lost in her lifetime.

“I just miss all of their different personalities and how special they were,” Silver said.

She said that’s why it's important to cherish them while they're alive and honor them when they’re gone.

The pet loss support group with Paws, Whiskers and Wags is offered twice a month. A clinical social worker leads the discussions and anyone can join for free. For more information click here.