The absolute worst part of being a pet owner, is losing a pet. It is a crushing experience, not unlike losing a human loved one. However horrible this event is, it will never cease. It is difficult to accept losing your beloved pets, but every pet owner will face this grief time and time again. I personally have just lost a cat.
Oliver was my first childhood cat. He showed up on our doorstep, frozen and starving in the middle of a frosty January. My 8 year old heart felt so much compassion for this poor animal, helpless and without a home. My parents agreed to feed him and bring him inside to take the chill off. However, his loving personality touched all of us. Oliver stayed with us, a friendly and vocal cat, until last week. It would have been almost 11 years since we were blessed by his presence.
When Oliver came to us, he was already full grown, somewhere between 3 and 5 years old. By the time he disappeared, he would have been an elderly 15 plus year old cat. However, he never showed any signs of sickness, pain or other indicators of his age. He never once was taken to the vet for anything other than checkups. He was a strong, proud cat and one of my first best friends.
Now that he's gone, I feel abandoned, but also content that he lived a good life. He was happy, healthy and always loved. I feel like I was able to save him and provide him with a better life. All I wanted to do for him, was help him. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to have him as a pet for so many years. I also think the most important thing is that he left and decided on his own to leave this world, as most cats do. I wouldn't have been able to see him suffer like he did when we first met in that wintry morning. I'm also thankful that he was able to go on his own time and not by the hand of another means. Oliver was very independent and I think this plan was important to him.
As a pet owner and lover, it is very difficult for me to let him go. He will always be a part of my life. This loss has taught me to appreciate the animals (and people) in my life, no matter how troublesome they may be. Oliver had a habit of jumping onto my head in the middle of the night for attention. This usually annoyed me, but now I see that it was just him showing his love. I have an older dog, Roz, and she barks all the time, which really gets annoying, but now I accept it, and pay more attention to her. She won't be here forever, so I need to love her now while I still can.
Animals teach us things that no human ever could. They love unconditionally, without worrying about social status, appearance, wealth or anything else humans hold important. They show us that we are capable of being loved and giving love. The provide companionship when there is no one else. Above all, they reach out to our hearts and teach us to be a little more like them. To spend less worrying about the material aspects of life, but to be more concerned with love and friendship. Everyday is one day less you have with those you hold dearest. I've learned that the only way to live is to live like you'll die tomorrow. Any day could be the last for you or someone you hold dear. Take time to show those you love that you care about them. Don't wait for tomorrow; do it today because tomorrow could never come.
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