Although my cat companions join me in city life, I also love dogs. I grew up on a large Angus cattle farm and Border Collies tended the herd. They were intelligent, loyal, playful and endlessly affectionate. I have had the privilege of knowing cats, dogs, horses, sheep, goats, cows, donkeys, mules, ducks, chickens, parakeets and rabbits. And so, to all creatures great and small, I say thank you for enriching my life. I'll see you again on the Rainbow Bridge.

It is common to deeply grieve the death of a beloved companion animal, yet this type of pain is often minimized or overlooked by others. If you know someone who is grieving the death of a pet, please consider sending a simple note of caring. Go to Writing Letters of Condolence and click A Few Words About Pet Loss at the top of the page. For more supportive ideas, please read Pet Loss: Helping a Friend Who's Hurting by author and grief counselor Marty Tousley.  

The word pet comes from the Middle English word pety meaning small, trivial or insignificant. For centuries, pets were considered inferior to humans. For this reason, some animal rights activists suggest that we eliminate the word pet from our vocabulary and use the phrase companion animal instead. But pet can also mean cherished, beloved and favored. It is in this sense of love and respect that I use the word here.

Go to next page: The Fragile Circle of Life

My E-mail:

Christine@thegrievingheart.info