Refrain regarding death of family dog or cat? (8)

'refrain' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'regarding death of family dog or cat?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'regarding' could be 're' (re can mean regarding, concerning) and 're' is found in the answer.
'death' could be 'end' (synonyms) and 'end' is found within the answer.
'dog or cat?' could be 'pet' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'pet' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).