Anyone who has been lucky enough to share their life with a pet will eventually be faced with the dilemma of saying goodbye. We hope it’s only after years of happy co-existence filled with crazy ups and downs and many magical stories.
Our furry companions give us something that I would argue can not be readily found. They gift us with unconditional love and acceptance. If we are out too late and forget to call, their response is, if anything, an even warmer reception when we return. Maybe we get busy with a new friend or work …. It’s okay, they are always happy to see us and accept whatever time we can share. They live in the moment, and seem to find happiness in most everything.
I think over time we learn to rely on their loving support and even forget sometimes how important it is to us. Then as they age … so much quicker than we do; we realize that eventually we might have to face a quiet house, a less animated homecoming after work, a walk in the park alone.
It is then that it truly hits us, what the value of the friendship from our pets really means to us. They are not just a dog, cat or obligation. They give so much more and ask for very little in comparison. It is for this reason the parting of ways is not only the most difficult time as a pet owner, but also a time of great responsibility. This responsibility rests squarely on our shoulders; as we are our pet’s best advocate.