Lucky Dog Blog: The worst part about pet ownership

There comes that inevitable time when you have to say goodbye to your beloved pet. It is the worst part about pet ownership because it is almost guaranteed that you will outlive your pet. And no matter how many pets you've owned, the process doesn't get easier. I was reading my favourite pug blog, Mr. Norman Featherstone's Stud Pug blog when I saw not one, but two announcements, from the same person who lost two fur-family members,Tiny and ChiChi, not even a week apart. I am so sad for Sandy and her family in Florida. Even though I don't know them, I know how sad they must be right now. And since I am facing the same thing in the near future with Curly (he's not sick - just old), I know this day is fast approaching for me as well. I was saving this post for that day but since I think Sandy and her family need it right now, here it is. It came to me from a vet friend who has the unfortunate job of dealing with this topic more often than I can imagine. She didn't write it, but it was sent through a series of emails. I tracked it back to the Pet Whisperer's website at www.thepetwhisperer.com. The vet writes:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family that we couldn't do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made the arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for their 4 year old son, Shane, to be a part of the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog one last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker peacefully slipped away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up - "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?

The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

That's a pretty smart kid. We wish our pets could stay around longer, and we do everything we can to make that happen, but eventually the best thing we can do is say good-bye. Sandy and family, I hope you are remembering all the good times with Tiny and ChiChi. It sounds like they had a good life with you and will be greatly missed. Take the time to remember and grieve. And know that there is a whole pet lover's community that is thinking about you!

Mavis