Pet owners form deep daily bonds through feeding, walking, playing, touching, sleeping together, and receiving unconditional affection, making pets central family members. Losing a pet triggers acute grief that can be unrecognized by others because pets are not human, which can inhibit sharing and prolong healing. Sudden deaths leave no time to prepare and euthanasia decisions create doubt despite often being a merciful option to relieve pain or severe loss of quality of life. Illness can limit normal behaviors, cause depression, and produce heartbreaking changes that drive owners to consider euthanasia when no improvement is expected.
Recently, a friend called me in tears, saying her sweet kitty's health was failing. She was, understandably, having a rough time navigating this difficult period in a pet parent's life. Anyone who's ever loved a pet will tell you that saying goodbye to them is truly the worst part of having one. We forget just how much time we actually spend with them.
Every day, we feed them, we walk them or play with them, we touch them and some of us share our bed with them. We delight in seeing their cute faces. We touch and stroke their soft fur. We listen to their soothing purrs or excited barks. We take comfort in their unconditional love. They are, truly, part of the family. So when they're gone, we feel their absence acutely.
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