Best Friends, But for the love of an animal..... Options

[libby]

I didn't have a particularly geat chilhood, not that I'm complaining about that, I was fed and clothed and I made to adulthood intact. I'm too old to be bitter about it anymore, it's just the way it is. The reason I bring this up is because although my parents weren't always present when I was a little girl, there was always an animal nearby to love.

We always had at least one cat, and sometimes a dog. They were my constant companions as I grew through the years. This is how I came to view them as friends, not just pets. Truth be told, I like animals more than I like most people. They never have an agenda, they are genuine and you don't ever have to worry about their intentions toward you, their intentions are always honorable. Even in the wild, if an animal intends to eat you, it is honorable, not twisted.

Anyway, there are people out there who don't feel this affinity for animals and I consider this to be their loss. My own partner doesn't care for them as I do, but he cares for me, so he "puts up with them", and no matter what he says, I saw a tear in his eye the night my sweet Tripper left us.

I'm only writing this post because I want people to know that I understand this attachment we make to our furry friends, and how it comes to be. If you have recently lost a friend as I have, I feel your pain. But I'll give the same advice that I've been so kindly given. Know that they loved you unconditionally and no matter what. If you feel guilt, just keep this in mind: animals are too pure to be aware of this concept, they loved you, they knew they were loved, and they do not want you to be sad. So smile, remember the good times with your furry friends and keep that wonderfulness in your heart. It is their gift to you, for you to keep always.

-Namaste-

[libby]

Thanks for replies, and the support. My sadness right now is so profound I am just trying to keep a good perspective on things. It has only been 4 days and it was so sudden and so tragic. I don't have any children, my pets are what I have. My father is very old and close to death and he refered to himself as Tripper's grandpa. That was always sort of a secretly sad thing for me because I know how badly he wanted me to give him a grandchild and I couldn't. But that's a subject for another forum. Dad's been gone all winter and returns in just a few days. It broke my heart to have to tell him that he wouldn't see Tripper when he got home. When people reach his age and state of health they often become emotionally frail as well. This whole thing is just so heartwrenching that the only thing I can do is try to be positive and supportive of others. To all who replied to this post and my earlier one, thank you, god bless you, I am here for you too, for your joyful memories and your sad moments. We may be strangers, but were in this together now.