Saying Goodbye to Yesterday

Nothing compares to the pain of losing a special dog or cat.

It's a different kind of pain... a unique form of heartbreak... a distinctive type of loss. 

For me, the impact of that loss... is devastating. 

While it's almost impossible to find the right words to accurately describe the pain of losing an incredible pet, here's my best attempt...

For a short, beautiful while, there's this precious, innocent creature, who lives and breathes... for me. There's this perfect little life... who exists just for me. There's this special, loving heart... that beats because of me.

There's this gentle, childlike being... who couldn't survive without me. There's this faithful, honest friend... who promises not to doubt me. There's this incredible, loyal soul... who never wants to leave me. There's this amazing, devoted spirit... who only lives to please me.

In truth, each dog, each cat, is a gift... a blessing we don't even deserve. And yet, this incredible blessing is offered to us, over and over again. The unconditional love, the undeniable compassion, the unimaginable forgiveness, the unwavering devotion... it's all right there... waiting for us.

For a short time here on Earth, we're gifted with a little piece of Heaven. It may look like a dog, or a cat, but don't be fooled. That's the closest thing to Heaven you'll ever see on Earth.

So, when our little slice of Heaven... leaves us for Heaven... it's nothing short of tragic. Even though we know in our minds... that their departure is inevitable. Even though we know in our hearts... that they can't stay here for long. Even though we hope in our souls... that we'll see them again some day.

For me, when a special dog (or cat) dies, there's this sudden, massive void in my world. A void that can only be filled... by the one who is no longer with me. A void that may get smaller... less painful... over time, but a void that will honestly never be filled again.

Losing a dog (or cat) is different from any other loss, because pets are our constant companions. Their entire life is lived, with just one purpose: to be right there, by our sides, no matter what. Their existence is dependent upon our existence; their happiness is wrapped up in our happiness; their love is always ready and waiting for our love. It's simply unreal.

Pets are our children, our therapists, our comedians, and our best friends. They never abandon, never judge, never reject, and never fail us. Instead, they always love, always listen, always comfort, and always forgive.

In return, we invite our pets into our solitude. We share with them our inner-most thoughts, feelings, secrets, and dreams. And they never think we're crazy.

In truth, your dog loves you... more than he loves himself. And there's nothing you can ever do... to change that.

In all the world, there's no relationship that could ever compare to the bond between human and dog (or cat). So yes, the loss of a pet... is absolutely devastating.

I've lost many pets in my lifetime. Obviously, I expect to lose many more in the years to come. But no matter how may times I experience that loss, it never gets any easier, or any less painful. There's always heartbreak, sadness, anger, guilt, denial, and despair.

There's always this massive hole in my life... where my baby used to be.

Because each and every time I lose a pet... I lose a child.

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