I cried a little bit when I wrote this, so you have been warned:
A few weeks ago my friend Audra called me, practically in tears (and in the 17 years I've known her, I can't recall her ever crying more than once or twice). When I asked her what was wrong, she said that her dog Molly (a rescue she had had for over 7 years, who was probably 2 or 3 when she got her) was in a lot of pain (she had a pinched disc) and needed to go to the vet, but she wouldn't get into Audra's truck and she cried when Audra tried to lift her. She asked since I have a car that's fairly low to the ground if I could drive them there (it's right around the corner from her house), and of course I said yes.
When I picked them up, Audra was pretty distraught and I could tell that Molly was in pain; she asked if I just wanted to loan her my car and she could just go drive over there. I said I had no problem driving them, and we got Molly into my backseat with minimum pain and we drove over there. After we got her out and into the vet's office, I went back with them into the exam room. This whole time, I was telling Audra stories, calming her down, and when we got into the exam room and Molly laid down, leg laid out awkwardly to the side, I rubbed her and petted her and (I don't care if you believe this or not, but I've done it before) I sent healing energy into her back and her leg. So when the doctor came and spoke to Audra, and told her they needed to draw some of Molly's blood to check her vitals, she got right up with no pain or whimper and went right out.
Audra was very grateful, for both keeping her calm and for making Molly feel better. I told her it was my pleasure, and I know how important pets are to people. They are like your family; they love you unconditionally, and all they want is a safe place to sleep, some food, and your attention. Pets are sometimes better than people, in my opinion.
Yesterday, when Audra came home from work, Molly had passed away by the front door, waiting for her.
She blames herself, saying she had a bad feeling when she left for work in the morning; but, you can't blame yourself for something like that. While they still don't know how she died, it appeared she went peacefully, and isn't that all you can really ask for?
Having a pet is one of the most beautiful and selfless things you can do; however, when you do get one, you know that deep down, you will have to endure the pain of losing them. Unless you adopt a pet when you're in your 80s (or you adopt a Galapagos turtle) more than likely your pet will pass on before you do. It's sad, and it's heartbreaking, but it's a fact of life. In fact, I've known people who don't want to get pets (or refuse to get any more once their beloved friend has passed on), saying they don't want to feel that much pain.
But, all relationships are like that. One way or another, they all eventually end. So, by that mindset, people should form no connections, no attachments, refuse to give or receive love just because that way they won't feel that pain when it ends. But life isn't about not feeling pain. Life is about those connections, those chances to share your love and get some back in return, the friendships and relationships you form. Life is about love. Yes, every time you open your heart to someone, there's a very good chance you will get your heart broken, one way or another. But the pain is worth it, in the end.