Today, my sister-in-law, Shari and her boyfriend Aaron had to put one of their two cats down. It was a painful decision but one that was in the best interest of a suffering animal.
So why do we do this? Why do we bring animals into our lives when we know that someday we will probably be charged with ending that life? In the big scheme of things, they are only with us for only a short period.
Shari, who is a very sensitive soul, emailed me her thoughts: "In our heart of hearts, we knew it was the right thing to do, but boy, sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing!!!! I keep trying to think of her now chewing grass and laying out in the sunshine with her sister Abbe (also deceased) and watching birds to their heart's content. And they are both healthy and able to run and play."
In our mind's eye, that is how we will always see our pets -- happy. They smile at us and we instantly feel better. Although they never say a word, they have a way of comforting us when we are down. And we celebrate in their triumphs -- whether it is successfuly catching a bird or a mouse or simply chewing a bone to its proper end. Our pets' worlds don't stretch very far.
Then again, how far is mine?
There is nothing I could say or write that would make Shari and Aaron feel better today. And perhaps that is the best tribute of them all. Former presidents, movie stars and athletic figures die every day. We acknowledge them, sigh and move on. But when it is our animals, we react differently. The pain will go away but it is intense for a time. Eventually, they may decide to get another cat. (S)he won't be the same as the now-gone Emilee -- and that's the point. Each pet we have brings out something different in us ... and give us a different sort of happiness.
Which is why we love them.
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