The Loss of a Pet

[johnnymk]

They say that the loss of a child is the worst loss a person or a couple can have. Not ever having children and losing them, I can not relate to this.
However, to a person who has a pet who dies before it's owner, I feel that the loss is almost as grievous. It may even be a deeper loss for a single person.
My cat depended upon me for food, water and shelter. He craved attention like a child. I had to take care of his litter. I had to
nurse him when he was sick. He was totally dependent on me for his survival. As for a child, I did these things out of love.
I held him and cuddled next to him. He slept with me. He felt love and I felt love when we were together. When he got angry or upset, I knew. Likewise, he knew when I felt the same way. When I came home, he met me at the door. He felt loneliness when I wasn't there, and I felt the same way when he wasn't by my side.
He was my child, in a very unique way.
People who minimize the loss of a pet should realize the interaction and bond that the owner and it's pet has made. They are "not just animals" as many say. They almost become our flesh and blood. When they die, a part of us dies, too

[topane]

So true. Pets are not just animals -- they're part of our families.

[Lolita]

I miss my hamster. :(

[oblongmelon]

Originally posted by johnnymk
They say that the loss of a child is the worst loss a person or a couple can have. Not ever having children and losing them, I can not relate to this.
However, to a person who has a pet who dies before it's owner, I feel that the loss is almost as grievous. It may even be a deeper loss for a single person.
My cat depended upon me for food, water and shelter. He craved attention like a child. I had to take care of his litter. I had to
nurse him when he was sick. He was totally dependent on me for his survival. As for a child, I did these things out of love.
I held him and cuddled next to him. He slept with me. He felt love and I felt love when we were together. When he got angry or upset, I knew. Likewise, he knew when I felt the same way. When I came home, he met me at the door. He felt loneliness when I wasn't there, and I felt the same way when he wasn't by my side.
He was my child, in a very unique way.
People who minimize the loss of a pet should realize the interaction and bond that the owner and it's pet has made. They are "not just animals" as many say. They almost become our flesh and blood. When they die, a part of us dies, too

well said..if anything happened to my sweet poo (thats what I call my lab instead of her name)..I'd be pretty messed up..I used to tell my kids when they were young and didn't want to take care of her-that some day she would save their lives so they should be nice to her..they thought I was nuts, then one day while walking home from high school, a rabid racoon came out from a yard near out house and starting heading straight towards them..our dog sensing danger for her beloved owners-busted off her tie out and distracted the racoon long enough for the girls to get into our house.. After that-they babied her like crazy and have never forgotten what she did for them.

[Anck Su Namun]

Originally posted by Lolita
I miss my hamster. :(

Me too. My little Waldo :(

I miss my dogs from when I was little too, and my bunny.

[Ladogaboy]

Well, the ironic thing that I am dealing with right now is my father and his dog. His dog has become so completely attached to him that my father can't even leave without the dog wimpering and crying. The thing is, with my father's health, and the fact that the dog isn't even 2 yet, the dog will probably out last my father. This dog is going to have some serious, serious issues.... :(

As for me, I had my favorite cat torn apart and eaten by coyotes far before her time should have been up. That was a painful loss.