DEAR READERS: I can never predict which letters are going to bring passionate responses. The recent letter from a teen grieving the loss of their family dog stirred a variety of emotions in readers. Here is a sampling.

DEAR KELLY: Any animal lover can identify with family members' grief over the loss of the beloved dog. Our pets love us unconditionally and support us with their trust and belief in us. To them, we are the best in the world. That love, trust and belief get us through difficult times, as it did for "Brokenhearted."

I would ask that "Brokenhearted" consider getting another dog as the best way to honor the deceased pet. So many homeless animals wait for the kind of love and care "Brokenhearted" gave the family dog. Maybe the relationship will not be the same as with the pet now gone, but it can be a good one. She may find great comfort in visiting the animal shelter and finding a dog that meets her gaze, and whose life she may be saving.

– MaryLee

DEAR KELLY: Recently, a girl said her dog was more like a person than a dog. How is a dog anything like a person? Could the dog talk? Laugh? Read? Write? Dress itself? Follow the latest fads, politics, music and TV shows? Did the dog go to school? Did it study for that upcoming math test? Can you hold a conversation with a dog? Do dogs have career goals?

I hate it when dog owners compare their dumb domesticated wolf to humans.

– April

DEAR KELLY: I see you've also been duped by the pet- elevation craze. Why is the word "beloved" mainly used to describe pets? What a waste of a noble word. I rolled my eyes over the "grieving for a pet" drivel.

– Jennifer

DEAR KELLY: I wanted to write and say how impressed I was by your response to "Brokenhearted." It was warm, understanding and loving. I'm sure she'll find some comfort in it.

We just had to put to sleep our beloved cat, Bruno, who was 16½ years old. We are fortunate we live on 5 acres and he now "resides" with three dogs who are buried in our own private animal cemetery.

It is hard, but talking about them and looking at pictures help to keep them alive in our hearts, really no different than our human loved ones. Thanks again.

– Robbie

DEAR KELLY: Your article in the Sacramento Bee is so truly on the mark. Reading your very clearly stated response to "Brokenhearted," brought me right back to my own experience seven months ago.

I was "adopted" by my stray, lost, abandoned, starving cat (about age two) almost 17 years ago.

When she died, the vet offered to find a new pet for me. I could not hear of it. I came to a lonely house and grieved for over six months and set up a memorial shrine in her favorite room with cards, pictures, hair brush, and school bell that she always responded to when I called her in to eat or be safe for the night.

Grieving takes time. I just recently was ready to adopt a new cat. My new cat reminds me so much of my former cat, and is really a tribute to her, but I will never forget her warm friendship for those 16 years. My new cat helps me remember the treasured years of the past with gratitude.

– Harry

DEAR KELLY: I disagree totally with your answer to a teen who is making a huge sobbing deal over a dead dog. Instead of saying it was just an animal, get over it, you validated her delusion by saying it was a family member, friend and beacon of hope.

It was just a dumbed-down wolf that viewed her as a can opener. People read way too much into these lowly scavenger animals.

– Dimitrios

DEAR KELLY: In response to recent advice you gave about mourning a dead dog, you really shouldn't reinforce the false notion that the animal was unique or that there was a sacred bond. At the end of the day, it was just a dog.

Pet nuts project all this wishful thinking onto their animals. Americans are obsessed with pets, especially with dogs. It's crazy!

– Toby

DEAR KELLY: Your advice to a teen who went bonkers when her dog died was utterly barf-inducing. It is not normal to cry every time she sees the dog's water bowl or leash or whatever. This gal has serious emotional problems.

Very self-absorbed people get overly into their pets. It's just a dog. Get over it.

– Darin

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Write to Kelly Richardson at Teen Talk, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15880, Sacramento, CA 95852, or email krichardson@sacbee.com.

• Read more articles by Kelly Richardson