When dog lover Alice Nelson needed help to deal with the grief of losing her pet, Abner, she discovered asking for help was the hardest part.
At 73 she said she felt embarrassed and exposed when sending a plea for help into her town's Facebook page with the hope of finding a dog to cuddle.
But she hit the send button and within minutes she was flooded with responses and a temporary solution to help hold her tears at bay.
Read more: Dogs suffer crippling grief too
Alice said: "I was feeling exceedingly vulnerable and embarrassed but I put out an FB plea to pet a Basset Hound.
"My beautiful boy [Basset Hound Abner] crossed the bridge May 4 and I've not made good progress dealing with his loss. I cry and my eyes are just swollen in my face from all the tears. I've just been reeling with the incredible loss.
"One day he was absolutely great, the next day so sick. He was almost 13 year old. I needed at least five more with that clown.
"But today I mustered the courage to ask if anyone in my rather remote village had a Basset Hound I could pet, watch, offer a treat. I said I'd even pay for the experience.
"Well the outpouring of compassion from a non-dog group, generally a group that complains about the town hall's decisions, was completely heart warming.
"Within 10 minutes I was invited to a dog groomer where, lo and behold they were boarding a Basset Hound.
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"That two-year-old livewire named Owen nuzzled into my pockets and one-by-one removed 12 beef treats. He let me pet him while being extremely squirmy, mouth open, legs wiggling, but I got belly rubs in and a few ear tickles too.
"I bet [dogs lovers] will know how this felt. I returned home and realised this was the first time I'd had a good laugh in weeks.
"So now I know, when you need help, ask. Ask to pet a dog. It is the best medicine."
