A Swindon nurse who struggled to function after the loss of her dog will now run the London Marathon for the pet grief helpline that helped her through.

Michelle Weller suffered from panic attacks and found it difficult to talk to anyone after her Springer Spaniel Bailey died in 2022.

The 48-year-old from Swindon had spent nine years with her ‘best friend’ Bailey but said that her grief was brushed off as irrelevant by those around her.

“Bailey was the reason I got up every morning,” said Michelle, who works as a nurse in Swindon.

“People just didn’t get it. After his death they would say ‘he’s just a dog and you’ll get another one’ but I’d go in a room and when he wasn’t there I’d almost have a panic attack.

“When I went to pick up Bailey’s ashes from the vets, I absolutely broke down.”

Swindon Advertiser: Many people brushed off Michelle's grief, telling her 'he's just a dog'.Many people brushed off Michelle's grief, telling her 'he's just a dog'. (Image: Michelle Weller/Blue Cross)

After seeing how much she was struggling, Michelle’s vet gave her the details of Pet Loss Support, a national Blue Cross grief helpline, and it was the vital lifeline she didn’t know she needed.

“When I phoned the helpline for the first time, I didn’t speak for the first hour, I just sobbed,” said Michelle.

“It was as if someone had given me a massive hug. She took me out of that dark place I was in, and just listened. It was a hug in a phone call.”

Swindon Advertiser: Michelle will run 26.2 miles in memory of Bailey, and to raise money for the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support team.Michelle will run 26.2 miles in memory of Bailey, and to raise money for the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support team. (Image: Michelle Weller/Blue Cross)

Blue Cross’ pet loss support team has been helping owners deal with their grief for 30 years, but a survey found that only 23 per cent of owners know the helpline exists.

That’s exactly why Michelle has now chosen to run the London Marathon on her birthday to raise money and awareness for the helpline and prevent people from suffering in silence.

“We’re so happy we could help Michelle with our service and are very grateful to her running the London Marathon to help us to help even more people and pets through our charity’s services,” said Diane James, Head of Pet Loss Support at Blue Cross.

Swindon Advertiser: In 2023, the Blue Cross grief helpline helped over 20,000 people.In 2023, the Blue Cross grief helpline helped over 20,000 people. (Image: Michelle Weller/Blue Cross)

“We’re a nation of pet lovers but we often struggle to talk about our emotions when it involves the loss of a beloved pet - even with family and friends.

“It can be a distressing, confusing and lonely time and no one should have to endure the pain of losing a pet alone.”

Michelle, who also hopes to complete four longer ultramarathons in 2024 for Blue Cross, added: “Every minute I spent with Bailey was filled with laughter and happiness.

“Nothing prepares you for losing your best friend.”