Posted: December 15, 2009, 3 a.m. EST
Meeser at age 15. |
I find it hard to understand why everyone doesn’t understand the impact of a loss of a pet. There have been many times in my life when a well-meaning acquaintance will say, “It’s only a cat.” Those words do not help with the grieving process.
To me, it isn’t only a cat. My cats have been my best friends, my confidants and a source of unconditional love. People can tend to go in and out of our lives, but our cats are always there for us. Meeser lived to be 16 and he spent all of those years as my faithful companion. If I sat down, Meeser was there resting on my leg. He slept with me every night. And if I was upset or sick, Meeser knew it and comforted me by putting a soft paw on my face.
Titi and Kiki, my apple-head Siamese, were constant childhood companions. |
Even as a child, my cats were very important to me. Kiki was a big apple-head
Siamese who lived to be 15, even though he was an inside/outside cat. He and I had a special bond that set the stage for creating the cat lover I am today. Kiki taught me about the feline/human bond and how much joy that relationship can bring to one’s life.
As I’ve grown older, I tend to surround myself with people who share my love of animals, and I rarely hear those offensive words, “It’s only a cat...” I pity that person that they have not shared their life with a pet the same way I have. They have truly missed out on a very special relationship.
If you ever hear those words, try and educate the person about how much your kitty means to you and the impact he or she has had on your life. And know that there are many other cat lovers out there who understand how you feel when your kitty crosses the Rainbow Bridge.
Read more of my blogs at Crazy for Cats.
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