We Don’t Ever Get Over Loving, and Losing a Pet

This is a hard blog to write. Even thinking about the furry family members that I’ve had to say goodbye to brings tears to my eyes.

Loving an animal is a mixed blessing. Maybe loving anyone is.

When we first bring a new pet into our life, we are immersed in the joy, the fun, the play. There’s nothing so adorable, so friggin’ cute, than a kitten or a puppy or a baby bunny or a baby whatever. Their faces make us smile. Their antics crack us up. And sometimes their behaviors annoy the heck out of us.

Within a short time, each one has become a part of the daily routine — the walk, the feeding, the interacting. Within a short time, we can’t imagine life without them.

I grew up with cats, so I know felines best. But I love animals period. I’m just partial to cats, especially Maine Coons. I’m on my third Coon now, Purr-sephone. Before her, we had Claw-dia and Chrissy. All females.

Claw-dia began as Claw-dius, because when we got him/her the PBS show “I, Claudius” was on and my young son was a big fan. Our vet set us straight, however, and said that Claw-dius was really a she. Oops!

Unlike most of her compatriots, Claw-dia never got beyond 8 pounds. Typically, Maine Coons are huge. My current girl is 19 pounds.

But what Claw-dia lacked in stature, she made up for in love. She was a kisser, a lap cuddler, a follower. She came when she was called — I later learned this is common with Maine Coons.

After my son left for college, it was just Claw-dia and I and that, of course, made us even closer. She was almost 20 years old when she started to lose her eyesight, eventually becoming blind. But she knew her away around the house so well that at first I didn’t notice. She never missed her box. Not once. But soon, she wasn’t eating much and began losing weight — and there wasn’t much of that to lose. The vet said I’d know when it was time to put her down and I finally made that appointment.

The night before I was to take her in to say goodbye, I was in my home office and she came in and sat on the floor by my chair. I picked her up and my tears were streaming. Somehow, she knew and with her paw, she patted my arm as though to comfort me. I lost it. I still do. I am right now. And Claw-dia passed about 15 years ago.

Whomever we love, even if that being is no longer with us, we will always love them. There will always be a place in our heart just for them. Whether human or animal…our hearts speak the same kind of love language. And with our pets, they are with us for such a short time and they give so much love — of the unconditional kind — that our grief is deep.

So if someone you know is dealing with the loss of a dear pet, don’t ignore them. Don’t just wait for the pain to pass. You might be waiting a long time. And that pet lover needs your support now. The only thing that lightens loss is when we share it.

If you know someone that has lost a beloved pet, send them our personalize eCard to let them know you are thinking of them: https://brealecards.com/loss-sympathy-pet/

Be there. Be real.