Dr. Katrina Watson has remembered the grief she felt when her beloved dog Toby passed away 14 years ago.
The famously happy border collie, who died in 2010, was the 56-year-old’s co-star on Seven’s long-running pet show Harry’s Practice (1997-2003).
‘We had to put out a media release when Toby passed away, as the whole of Australia was behind me,’ she said recalling the pain of her family loss.
‘I had to go to Los Angeles for seven days soon after, and when I came home, that’s when it hit me because the house was empty,’ she confessed to Woman’s Day on Wednesday.
She added that it was not easy for some pet owners to share their grief over losing a pet, because it was a loss that some people have difficulty understanding.
‘The more we talk about death the easier that [grieving] process is. It’s a really tricky conversation for a lot of people.’
Dr. Katrina Watson has remembered the grief she felt when her beloved dog Toby passed away 14 years ago. The famously happy border collie, who died in 2010, was the 56-year-old’s co-star on Seven’s long-running pet show Harry’s Practice (1997-2003). Pictured: A throwback snap of Katrina with Toby when he was still a puppy
In a new interview with Woman’s Day on Wednesday Katrina said losing a pet and talking about it for some people could be a tricky conversation. (Pictured with border collie Chilli)
Since her time on the hit lifestyle show, Katrina has built up a career as a pet influencer.
Elsewhere in the chat Katrina shared how she has been able to guide pet owners through their grief via her online content.
‘I do a lot around supporting people through pet loss, and that gives me enormous satisfaction,’ she told the publication.
Katrina’s videos feature her new border collie Chilli.
It comes after Katrina opened up about the loss of Toby earlier this year during an episode of the Jess Rowe Big Talk Show.
Known as Toby the Wonderdog, Katrina’s beloved companion also featured in the Channel Ten children’s program Totally Wild.
‘He was part of my identity,’ an emotional Katrina confessed during the podcast, which first dropped in May.
And Katrina offered advice to anyone suffering from the loss of a beloved pet.
Katrina said she has been able to guide pet owners through their grief as an influencer
Admitting that she struggles with her grief, she told listeners: ‘You just need to go through the grief.’
The vet added that it’s important to have people around who can offer support and sympathise.
‘Unfortunately, we have this world of people who say things like ”it’s just a cat. It’s replaceable. Get another one”,’ she continued.
‘Those sorts of comments make people just hide behind a door.
‘All you can do to manage it is to keep yourself busy. One day the tears turn into smiles when you think of the memories.’
Katrina rose to fame on Channel 10 children’s program Totally Wild in 1994.
She went on to appear on Seven’s Harry’s Practice as a resident vet alongside Dr. Chris Brown from 1997 to 2003.
Warren later hosted Beverly Hills Vet in 2003 and Housecat Housecall in 2008 on Animal Planet in the U.S.
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