I got a call this week from my college room-mate G. She is single, no children.  G had to put her young dog “Kashi”  down due to heart failure.  Her baby Kashi a border collie mix was  adopted 3 years ago .  When I spoke with G,  she said I know I can ‘t image how people who lose children feel.   She told me how sad she is.  My heart broke for her.

I wept for G remembering the loss of my babies.  Mona, Stirfry, and my beloved Hershey.  Earlier December  G and I had a discussion when an animal is sick, humans take heroic measures when it is just putting the animal through pain. I know this because of my choice to save Hershey leg after he was hit by a car.  He went through a year of 4 surgery’s and still never used the leg, and only to have the screws back out over time.    Hershey would have been happier without the limb and would have not suffered.  During this discussion I told G if I had to do it all over again, I would take the leg because I did it for me and not for the best interest of Hershey.  So when Hershey finial ready to pass, I could not let him suffer and I put him down, rather than suffer.

G told me she called because she knew I would understand.   Which I do Kashi was her pack.  People don’t always understand the bond someone has with animal especial when they do have children.   But G bond is really and she is grieving.  When Hershey passed I cried and he was an old dog.  I still find myself looking for him and there is time I get sad. My advice to G was the advice someone gave me take the time grieve, take the months required to heal do not run out and get another dog because no dog can replace Kashi.

So I ask the next time someone you know loses a furry family member please be respectful and remember they are grieving.
Have you lost a furry friend?