Two years have passed since I lost my dearest friend in this world. Buddy, my beautiful German Shepherd, my incredible, faithful companion went on to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for me. He unselfishly gave me eight fun-filled years brimming with love and loyalty. He taught me lessons in patience and acceptance that I will carry with me for a lifetime. Now, a lifetime remains, to be spent without him.
I wonder if the day will come that my eyes won't fill with tears at the mention of his name, or that my heart won't have the empty ache for the memories he has left behind. I look for him everyday, expecting him to be laying in his favorite spot, bathing in the sunshine. But, he has gone to wait for me, to a much better place.
I had known for a long time that it was coming. When he first came to live with me, he was a prankster, filled with energy and exuberance. He loved going for rides, howling the entire way to whatever destination. We loved going for long summer walks, and playing tag was his favorite…he always "it." As the joyous years with him crept by, I watched his coal-black muzzle fill in gradually with speckles of gray. Time firmed it's grip on his once flexible body, slowing it down bit by bit. A murky blue veil began to dull his sparkling, brown eyes. Arthritis slowly set it, then taking its toll on his movement. I knew our time together was drawing to a close, and I tried to prepare myself for the inevitable. But, in the end, the preparation didn't matter. Nothing mattered, just that he was gone.
Being enveloped in the pet care profession, I dealt with my clients regularly who lose their beloved pets. The pain and anguish is like nothing else, and unfortunately, many people feel as though they have no one to turn to. Many think that no one will understand. After all, it was just a dog, right? But these creatures play such a pivotal role in our lives. They define loyalty, to a degree unlike any other relationship. They do not judge; they love us simply for existing. And often times, we spend more time with our pets than we do with our spouses. Then, they are gone, out of our lives. The empty spot left by their absence is unbearable, at best.
The simple truth is that they just do not live as long as we do. Their life spans are much shorter, perhaps because they live life with no limits: infinite tail-wagging, boundless energy, and limitless love. We owe it to them to provide the very best life possible while here with us on this Earth.
Unfortunately, often times we are faced with the decision to help ease their pain and assist their transition into a better, pain-free place. This is a guilt-ridden decision right from the start. Those of us who adore our pets spend their entire lives providing them with the best: nutritional food and fresh water, lots of attention and love, conscientious medical treatment, toys and blankies and bones, and the list goes on. Why, then, is it often times our decision that their life must end?
If you step back and look at the big picture, we owe it to them to do what is best for them, no matter what. That is our commitment, our thanks to them for their faithfulness. Their entire lives they look to us for all of their needs, so naturally in the end they look to us once again to do the right thing; to do the right thing in their best interests, not in ours. It is a heart-wrenching decision, but it truly sets them free. After all, we promised to always take care of them. It is the last gift of love and respect that you can give back to them.
After losing Buddy, I founded the Precious Memories Pet Loss Support Group to help people in the community deal with the grief process of losing a pet. We met as needed, to help those who needed comfort through the transition and pain. The grief process is the same as losing a loved one, but it is truly difficult for many people to really communicate their sadness when it involves a pet. Those who have never owned a pet that was dear to them do not understand the depth of the sorrow we feel. The emptiness is unspeakable, and the loss almost unbearable. And of course, every pet owner, myself included, swears at that lowest moment to never again have another pet. Going through that process again is just simply not an option.
A friend of mine asked me a poignant question during a tearful conversation after I lost Buddy. She asked me, if I had it to do over again, if I would take Buddy in again, and spend the wonderful times with him that I did, after now knowing how deep the pain of losing him would be. Was it worth it? Would I do it again? Without a single doubt.
I miss you, My Friend. Wait for me on the bridge.
