Did you ever see a movie called “My Dog Skip”? I rented this one a few years ago and without giving too much of the plot away, was in tears at the end. In fact, I was still crying when I went to the video store to return the movie! Afterwards, I came up with a new house rule: pets are not allowed to die.
Yes, I know this is a rule that’s going to get broken. But a girl can hope.
The rule came up again today when a friend of mine had a bit of a scare. Her dog, who always sleeps in bed with her, didn’t come to bed last night. In the middle of the night she went looking for him, afraid of what she would find. When she did find him, she was relieved (to the point of tears) when he snored, demonstrating that he was indeed still alive.
The story reminded me too much of the day my Miko died. It was very early in the morning, just after six o’clock when I got up to go to the bathroom. Miko was sleeping (or so I thought) in the back den — which was indeed unusual. Most of the time, he slept on the bed or at least in the room with me. When he didn’t even lift his head at any of the noises I made, I knew something was wrong.
Losing a pet can be a heartbreaking experience. I went to grief counseling after I lost Miko. I got two dogs in the hope of filling the void he left in my heart. I cried a lot. I still sometimes cry, when I’m reminded of him.
So why do we do it? Why keep setting myself up for that heartbreak again? I know Moose and Lally aren’t going to live forever — no matter how many rules I make or how much I wish it would be so. But then again… it’s an owner’s job to worry about his or her pets. Because I worry about them, I make sure that they’re well cared for and happy. I make sure we go for walks, and that they always have fresh water in the bowl. I try to make sure they’re healthy and safe. I pick up after them when we’re out, and I tell them that I love them a lot.
If saying goodbye was supposed to be easy… then loving a pet — or a person — wouldn’t be as special as it is.