“They’re More Than A Pet, They’re Family,” Why Losing A Pet Is So Hard

Losing a pet is one of the hardest things that one can endure. For some, a family pet is just an animal. But for the ones who are lucky enough to bring a pet into our homes, we know different. A pet is a family member who brings love and companionship into a home and turns our lives around, in a good way. Whether it's a dog, cat, bird, lizard, guinea pig, it doesn't matter. Pets are simply part of our family, end of story.

For me, Butters wasn't like any other pet. Butters was my baby. My best friend. She has been with me through some dark times, some fun times and most importantly, times when I just needed comfort. I adopted her from the Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts MSPCA. My cat Boots had just passed away and I knew I wanted another cat immediately. I really wanted an orange cat for no particular reason. So when I saw Butters laying in a cardboard box, purring, I just knew I had to have her. She was 3 years old and was turned over by a prior family who just couldn't keep her and for me, it was love at first sight.

The thing about Butters was, she was the biggest love bug. No matter what was happening, whether she was scared, mad, hurting, she would ALWAYS be purring. When I found her in that box, she was purring. And when she took her last breath, she was purring. She was special. She was not just another cat.

And when we lose a pet, it feels like a part of us is also gone. She won't be meeting me at the door anymore when I get home. She won't be sleeping with me at night. She won't be cuddling with me when I need a friend. She's gone. But the memories I have with her will never go away. I will keep them with me forever.

I'm writing this post sort of as therapy. My heart is broken and this is how I'm choosing to deal with the pain. It will go away. Just not today, not tomorrow, not next week...but it will go away. I encourage anyone who is going through something similar to find a distraction. Maybe take up a new hobby. Your pet will be watching you and cheering you on. And you will be with them again. Just like Butters was there for me for the past 8 years. It wasn't long enough. She shouldn't have had to go so soon. But regardless of the pain I feel, I would do it all over again, without question. Thank you Butters for being there. I am forever grateful and full of love and memories.