Viewers of This Morning were in tears as a woman broke down over losing her pet cat.
Geraldine called in to the show on Wednesday to get advice on how to grieve for her loss from agony aunt Deidre Sanders.
She said she had her cat Tigger for 19 years and he died in March.
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Geraldine said Tigger was her “only friend” as she has no family.
She tearfully said: “My cat was put down on the 12th of March. The vet came to the house and put him down in front of me.
It is heartbreaking when they are like members of our family.
“The grief has been quite unbearable really. [I had him for] 19 years.”
Holly offers advice
Host Holly Willoughby offered comfort, saying: “They’re a member of your family, they’ve been through everything with you.
“They’re by your side all the time. I totally get it.”
Geraldine said: “I’m on my own, I don’t have a family. I’m 70 in two weeks time.”
Deirdre told her: “It is heartbreaking when they are like members of our family.
“I think you have to accept you grieve the loss of your cat the same way you would grieve a member of your family.
“You’re looking at about a year at least of trying to process that.
“There is a Blue Cross Bereavement helpline. Do check them out.
“We’re going to get back in touch with you in a week or two to see how you’re doing.”
Deirdre added that Geraldine could create a book of her favourite memories with Tigger.
Geraldine said she had some flowers and a cat ornament sent to her from a lady at her local garden centre.
Meanwhile, Phillip Schofield told her: “One of those things not to forget is how amazingly lucky you were to have had that cat for 19 years.
“And to have had a relationship and friendship like that. We’ll get in touch again in a week or so.”
Geraldine said: “Thank you Phillip.”
Viewers were emotional listening to Geraldine.
What did viewers say?
One person said on Twitter: “Crying my eyes out for Geraldine please can someone get her a new cat, not to replace but to give love and purpose.”
Crying my eyes out for Geraldine please can someone get her a new cat, not to replace but to give love and purpose #ThisMorning
— laura (@lauralou80) May 13, 2020
Another wrote: “Listening to Geraldine who lost her cat was so upsetting, I’ll be thinking about her all day.
“Makes me so sad to think that some people literally have no one, really hope This Morning give her some help.”
Listening to Geraldine who lost her cat was so upsetting, I’ll be thinking about her all day. Makes me so sad to think that some people literally have no one, really hope this morning give her some help #ThisMorning
— Harriet (@banner_harriet) May 13, 2020
A third added: “Oh my heart is broke for Geraldine.”
https://twitter.com/LadyMayCullen/status/1260520101671055365
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