"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France
Anatole France
Mark knows that the loss of a pet can often be as distressing, if not more-so, than the death of a loved-one.
We tend to have less complicated histories with our animals. They don’t judge or criticize us and frequently give us years of unconditional love.
They also sometimes fulfill the role often taken by children, so on an unconscious, emotional level we don’t always expect to outlive them, and we are devastated when we do.
But when does someone get compassionate leave from work for the death of a dog? Cards, flowers and warm wishes for the loss of a cat, or long lost relations travelling miles to attend a remembrance ceremony for a horse?
May people will have no idea what impact the loss of an animal can have. They will not take it seriously.
We do.
We tend to have less complicated histories with our animals. They don’t judge or criticize us and frequently give us years of unconditional love.
They also sometimes fulfill the role often taken by children, so on an unconscious, emotional level we don’t always expect to outlive them, and we are devastated when we do.
But when does someone get compassionate leave from work for the death of a dog? Cards, flowers and warm wishes for the loss of a cat, or long lost relations travelling miles to attend a remembrance ceremony for a horse?
May people will have no idea what impact the loss of an animal can have. They will not take it seriously.
We do.