I had to go the the veterinarian’s office today to pick a prescription for my kitty. As I was waiting at the counter for the receptionist, I noticed this candle and the sign accompanying it. As I handed my debit card to the receptionist, I made eye contact with the woman who was losing her pet and I completely lost it myself.
Granted, I’ve already been feeling pretty vulnerable over the past couple of days but that fleeting moment of genuine connection was truly heartbreaking. I felt that woman’s grief so intensely that, not only did I get teary eyed, I just full on cried big droplets of tears right along side her. Then I went out to my car and had a big ugly cry by myself. I’m crying again as I’m typing this because I am a big baby when it comes to fuzzies.
The loss of pets and animals really gets to me on a deep level because of how connected I have been to them my entire life. I spent my formative years on a horse ranch and always had cats, dogs, chickens, goats, horses, birds, reptiles, fish around me. My grandpa was a horse trainer, my dad a falconer, my mother an adopter of all animals and my brother a collector of snakes and lizards. You name it and I’ve probably snuggled it, loved it and named it Fluffy or some derivative of. I also learned about death and loss from these odd familial ties and friendships. My closest dearest friends were always animals.
The death of a pet can be equal to if not more devastating than the loss of a human loved one (depending on the relationship, of course). We interact with our animal companions on a daily basis. Often times they sleep in our beds with us, emotionally support and comfort us daily with their unconditional love and affection. When they pass it effects your daily life and upsets your whole routine. Especially when they are the ones you usually seek out for consolation, the loneliness and despair is even more painful and obvious. Also, animals are innocents. They don’t have the same complications of character that humans have. They aren’t all perfect but for some reason, they are easier for most of us to love unconditionally (more than people).
My family had a loss this week as well. My grandfather’s beloved horse, Traveler, tragically passed last weekend. He was a beautiful American Paint Horse who was so gentle and sweet. He had just celebrated his 30th birthday on February 27th. I have known this horse most of my life and he will be dearly missed.
My grandparents have had many horses on their ranch but Traveler was special. He never bit or kicked at us kids who would play in and around his corral. He had the sweetest disposition. You really couldn’t know a gentler animal. He was the only horse we were really allowed to ride off the property because he was unshakable, he hardly spooked.
Traveler and my Grandpa were Grand Marshall's every year for the 4th of July Parade in Silverado.
My heart is broken for my grandparents who had to handle the tragedy of his death. I won’t go into the details but it was not a peaceful ordeal. And I imagine my grandpa, a lifelong cowboy, is just sick over the loss.
My grandparents posing with Traveler who is "smiling" for the camera.
So today, I would like to honor those sweet animals who have touched our lives. I would light a candle myself but one has already been lit.
Much love.