-Alice
Tears were flowing readily. No matter how much self-talk I
tried, the sadness lingered. “He was only a dog,” someone might say, hoping to
help alleviate the obvious pain I was feeling. But thankfully, no one was
foolish enough to say that to me, at least to my face. Most everyone with whom
I shared my loss was very familiar with the place in my heart and life that
Dusty, my Shih Tzu, had occupied for over 15 years. “What about this little
companion had made such an impression on my heart that his death would cause
such pain,” I wondered? Only another pet-lover can really understand, but it does
help to look at the situation. Like me, you may find great delight in thinking you
are tough and an emotional “super-woman or super-man.” But who are we kidding? Animal
lovers can be real softies! That is why the departure of my furry friend has
made such an impression on me. Bear with me as I muse a bit on the pain of losing
a dear pet.
Why do pets
endear themselves to their owners? Is it because they let us spoil them so
easily? Is it that they show us unconditional acceptance and love, a rare
commodity in this cruel world? Is it their sheer presence that keeps loneliness
at bay?
Are some of
the tears when they die the result of memories that linger, the times when the
pet was there to show comfort when no one else was around to do so? To be sure,
our blood pressure may be lowered because we have a pet, but is that the reason
we cry when they die? Perhaps the sadness comes from realizing our own
mortality and our wonder if someone will miss us and cry over us when we die.
Perhaps we cry because we could not do anything to prevent their death, and had
to even decide when and if to ‘put them to sleep.’ This painful experience can
be a reminder that we have very little control over things in life, especially
life and death issues.
The tears
also may come from the realization that not everyone will be as forgiving of us
as they were, or as ready to accept us in our weaknesses and love us even when
we are unlovely, as they always did. Perhaps they also taught us what it means
to live in the moment, to enjoy each day as if it were made especially for us,
to be happy with the basic essentials. Perhaps their contentment and desire to
be with their loved ones serves as a reminder to us that sometimes we desire things
more than we love people.
Yes, Dusty,
you taught me much about life, love and God. I shall ponder much on your little
life, and hope I am a better person for having been your ‘mom.’ And may the One
who said that not even a sparrow will fall to the ground without His watchful
eye continue to bless both the pets and their owners who have much to learn
from their lives.
