Dear Eric: I am becoming aware of an increasing anxiety with my pets. Specifically, being separated from them. To briefly put this in perspective, I am recently widowed as of last August. My husband had been sick since 2019. I had no help, and he never took ownership of his own health. Needless to say, this was overwhelming for me.

A widow feels increasingly anxious being separated from her pets and is worried she’s becoming too dependent on them.

Now, I’m not where I want to be, but I am safe and have a roof over my head, which I am grateful for. However, I am noticing that I can’t be away from them and not get crazy anxiety. I worry that I am becoming too dependent on them.

They give so much and ask so little in return. She's finding that comforting after having to take care of a sick husband for years.

In today's Asking Eric column, R. Eric Thomas responds to someone who only wants to spend time with their pets while they grieve their late husband.