Facing one of the saddest days in years

Aramike · 04-16-12, 05:51 AM

Damn, I hate reading these kind of scenarios. In my opinion, losing a pet is as tough as losing a close family member. It's so hard to see them suffering through that kind of pain, and there's a helpless feeling associated with not being able to relieve them of it without taking them away from us.

I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine who lives on a farm told about a cat he was especially close with. As they cat went on in years, he became old and frail. My friend decided that the time to send his cat had come, and planned on taking him to the vet one day.

The cat didn't show up for his breakfast that morning so my friend went looking for him. He found him curled up in a hole beside a tree, seemingly lonely and scared. The cat purred as soon as he saw my friend, then proceeded to let go and pass away in his arms.

Turns out that some cats harbor a pack mentality and wander off to die alone, so as not to weaken their pack. Maybe it was instinct wired into the cat's DNA, but my friend and I like to think that the cat considered my friend as part of his "family", and though he really wanted to feel comfort, he ran off to protect my friend.

I don't care what anyone says, but I believe our pets are capable of a selflessness we can't even recognize, and that is worth a love and kinship special all its own.

04-16-12, 05:51 AM	#17
Aramike Ocean Warrior Best of SUBSIM Chairman Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 3,207 Downloads: 59 Uploads: 0	Damn, I hate reading these kind of scenarios. In my opinion, losing a pet is as tough as losing a close family member. It's so hard to see them suffering through that kind of pain, and there's a helpless feeling associated with not being able to relieve them of it without taking them away from us. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine who lives on a farm told about a cat he was especially close with. As they cat went on in years, he became old and frail. My friend decided that the time to send his cat had come, and planned on taking him to the vet one day. The cat didn't show up for his breakfast that morning so my friend went looking for him. He found him curled up in a hole beside a tree, seemingly lonely and scared. The cat purred as soon as he saw my friend, then proceeded to let go and pass away in his arms. Turns out that some cats harbor a pack mentality and wander off to die alone, so as not to weaken their pack. Maybe it was instinct wired into the cat's DNA, but my friend and I like to think that the cat considered my friend as part of his "family", and though he really wanted to feel comfort, he ran off to protect my friend. I don't care what anyone says, but I believe our pets are capable of a selflessness we can't even recognize, and that is worth a love and kinship special all its own.