Benjamin Franklin said, “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.” At a certain level we all understand and accept that our time on this earth is finite. We also understand that same thing when it comes to those around us. Yes even the cat.
Loss tends to be felt the most accutely by those that are least likely to be in a position to be able to accept the loss. Children and widowed seniors. We’ve all heard about pets that have passed away right after their owners, and we’ve also heard of people refusing to leave their homes because of the cat.
We are all attached to our pets, but sometimes we forget that when someone looses their pet that there is a grieving process that the person/family has to go through. It’s not just a dog, its a part of someones life that has passed away. It’s never just a solitary event either, loosing a pet reminds us of those that have gone before,be it a spouse (to a Senior) or a grandparent (to a child). Respect, comfort and support are the things that we need to give to those that are grieving. Understanding the depth of the loss is not totally possible since love in not a rational thing, but allowing someone to grieve and helping them work through that grief is our responsibility.
To steal a passage from John McCrae’s poem In flanders Fields, “ Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved” Death is the completion of a cycle, but it is not the end of everyting. It is the beginning of a new stage “To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch: be yours to hold it high.” A stage filled with warm memories, loving reflection and the reminder that the pain that is left behind will itself pass.
To all of you that have grandparents, parents, pets or anything that you love – please, cherish that love and know that in your heart nothing every truly leaves us until we let it go.
In loving memory of Edwin (the cat) – October 22, 2013.
Senior Homecare by Angels 