So a friend of mine lost a beloved pet today. To those of you who are pet owners you understand how upsetting this is. Pebbles was a 16 year old cat who belonged to an old friend. When a pet is with you for that long you come to see it as a companion and a friend. You expect that when you arrive home someone will be happy to see you (even if it's only because they want food). When you are down a pet senses this and always knows what to do even though they cannot actually talk to you. Sometimes just a cuddle is enough.
We have three pets in our home. Our dog is twelve and as his life expectancy is around fourteen I find myself stressing lately about what we will do the day that we find he has left us. Technically he's the most senior member of our household. I've never really been a dog person and sometimes feel bad as he constantly wants to be with me. If I go from one room to another he follows and lies on the floor nearby. The kids find this rather funny and somewhat odd as I (sorry to admit this) pay the least attention to him of all of us. Maybe he thinks I'm his Mother. We also have a cat who is seven years old. She lives for my youngest daughter. If Emily cries she comes running from wherever she is at and cries and bites Emily until she picks her up. She then proceeds to rub her head under Emily's chin until she stops crying. She sleeps with Emily, watches tv and sits at the computer with her and follows her around the house. Emily absolutely adores her. She has never been outside which some say is mean but I think the exact opposite. It is mean to allow a cat to roam the streets risking injury by other animals or death on the road. It will be completely devastating one day to lose her. Our third pet happens to be a hamster. He's a teddy bear hamster and very cute and well tempered. He has never bitten anyone and allows the kids to poke him and pick him up at random. He is actually the fourth hamster the kids have had as they don't last long. The last hamster we had lived a little more than three years and actually died in my oldest daughter's arms. He was the friendliest little creature and when she found him dying one morning she asked if it was okay to hold him. She wrapped him in a little blanket and held him rubbing his head as he slowly passed on. It was sad as he was fine the day before. I guess his time had come. Hopefully he found comfort in having someone with him as he left this life. Sometimes I wonder why we continue to have one pet after another as we are so saddened when they pass on but how can we resist the companionship and unconditional love that they give to us? Most of you reading this will understand what I mean.
Anyway to all of the pet owners out there enjoy their company and friendship as their lives are usually not long enough for us. To my friend Greg and his family my condolences for your loss and to Pebbles rest in peace your family will miss you dearly.
