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I had to write a reflection on this topic for one of my classes and decided to share this with you:
I had to write a reflection on this topic for one of my classes and decided to share this with you:
Saying
Goodbye: Pet Loss and Its Implications
Pets can come in a variety of forms. The one thing in common with all these animals is
their profound companionship and love they can give to pet owners. Pets offer a
special unconditional love that so many people are longing for. The death of a
pet can be absolutely devastating. Often times, a pet becomes part of the family.
When a pet passes away, family members can experience incredible grief and a
sense of loss.
I have had my fair share of pets throughout the years. I had a Labrador when I was very little. Unfortunately my parents had to give her away. I was so young that I did not understand, but I remember feeling a sense of loss. Years later we had a cat named Sammy. I was still young, but I remember how sweet he was. He was such a loving kitty and my sister and I adored him. One day we came home and discovered he escaped. We never saw him again. I can remember how heartbreaking this was, even as a young girl. I would go out into my neighborhood searching for Sammy. I remember the fear and pain I experienced knowing there were coyotes and other menacing animals outside that could hurt Sammy. But I never found him. Writing this now, makes me teary eyed. Even though it has been about fourteen or fifteen years since this happened. To me this really demonstrates how great of an impact pets can have on people’s lives. After Sammy we had two kittens, who my parents gave away before my sister and I got too attached. After those two, we adopted our poodle Molly. My beloved Molly. I can remember the day we picked her out. I had such a special relationship with Molly Mae. I grew up with Molly, taking care of her, learning responsibility and in return getting such a great companionship. Molly was always there for me. She was always so excited to see me and brightened my day whenever I was having a bad day. She was the epitome of unconditional love and loyalty. The two of us had a special bond all through elementary, middle, high school, and through the first two years of college. I missed her so much when I was away for college and was equally excited to see her when I came home for the holidays. The end of my sophomore year was a very low point for me. I was going through an incredibly painful breakup that summer and Molly began to get sick. In one week she declined tremendously and passed away. Having these two losses was extremely difficult for me. I felt enormous loss when Molly passed away. I was utterly devastated. I did not want to risk allowing myself to love again. (In both aspects, from my relationship and losing my beloved pet) To this day that was one of the darkest few months of my life as I tried to deal with these losses.
I am relieved and proud to say that
I have processed these losses and can look back on them now and see myself as a
much stronger person. To this day I still miss Molly, but I can smile at all
the great memories we had together. I feel like this perspective can be
beautiful and beneficial for people who experience loss; through the death of a
loved one, or something else. It is so helpful to be able to look back fondly on
the memories you created and being thankful for the opportunity to have
them. One year ago (to this week) I
moved to San Antonio for graduate school, not knowing a single person. It was
an incredible change for me and was lonely and difficult at many times. I
decided to adopt a pet. I adopted a sweet kitty named Harley and he quickly
filled the void in my heart and helped me adjust to this new chapter in my
life. Pets
may come in a variety of forms, but the love and companionship they offer to us
can leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds, long after they pass.
I have had my fair share of pets throughout the years. I had a Labrador when I was very little. Unfortunately my parents had to give her away. I was so young that I did not understand, but I remember feeling a sense of loss. Years later we had a cat named Sammy. I was still young, but I remember how sweet he was. He was such a loving kitty and my sister and I adored him. One day we came home and discovered he escaped. We never saw him again. I can remember how heartbreaking this was, even as a young girl. I would go out into my neighborhood searching for Sammy. I remember the fear and pain I experienced knowing there were coyotes and other menacing animals outside that could hurt Sammy. But I never found him. Writing this now, makes me teary eyed. Even though it has been about fourteen or fifteen years since this happened. To me this really demonstrates how great of an impact pets can have on people’s lives. After Sammy we had two kittens, who my parents gave away before my sister and I got too attached. After those two, we adopted our poodle Molly. My beloved Molly. I can remember the day we picked her out. I had such a special relationship with Molly Mae. I grew up with Molly, taking care of her, learning responsibility and in return getting such a great companionship. Molly was always there for me. She was always so excited to see me and brightened my day whenever I was having a bad day. She was the epitome of unconditional love and loyalty. The two of us had a special bond all through elementary, middle, high school, and through the first two years of college. I missed her so much when I was away for college and was equally excited to see her when I came home for the holidays. The end of my sophomore year was a very low point for me. I was going through an incredibly painful breakup that summer and Molly began to get sick. In one week she declined tremendously and passed away. Having these two losses was extremely difficult for me. I felt enormous loss when Molly passed away. I was utterly devastated. I did not want to risk allowing myself to love again. (In both aspects, from my relationship and losing my beloved pet) To this day that was one of the darkest few months of my life as I tried to deal with these losses.
I am relieved and proud to say that
I have processed these losses and can look back on them now and see myself as a
much stronger person. To this day I still miss Molly, but I can smile at all
the great memories we had together. I feel like this perspective can be
beautiful and beneficial for people who experience loss; through the death of a
loved one, or something else. It is so helpful to be able to look back fondly on
the memories you created and being thankful for the opportunity to have
them. One year ago (to this week) I
moved to San Antonio for graduate school, not knowing a single person. It was
an incredible change for me and was lonely and difficult at many times. I
decided to adopt a pet. I adopted a sweet kitty named Harley and he quickly
filled the void in my heart and helped me adjust to this new chapter in my
life. Pets
may come in a variety of forms, but the love and companionship they offer to us
can leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds, long after they pass.
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