When Michelle Afflitto called and told me about the loss of her sweet dog, Cassie, I was deeply touched by the story she shared of their journey together.
Cassie had been faced with many illnesses – way more than any critter should have to endure in one lifetime. Yet the spirit of this wonderful dog refused to give in to the physical challenges. She just kept going…until a few days ago.
Michelle said she wouldn’t have changed a thing.
“I will be forever grateful. It didn’t matter if it was hard or if I was sleep deprived…she gave me so much, she taught me so much, I am the person I am because of Cassie.”
Cassie required a lot of care. Her loss has left Michelle wondering what to do with all the “free” time she has now.
I know that feeling. When you’ve shared your life with a critter who was seriously ill, the loss of that furball means the end of being in the caretaker role. That can be very difficult for the person – it was for me.
As I said in my website article Grieving – How Do You Cope With the Loss of a Pet:
“I not only felt brokenhearted, I felt utterly useless.”
Last year I lost my beloved cats Dickens and Pippen. It would have been very hard to have kept going without the furry love and purrs of their sisters, Molly and Star.
If for no other reason, we need to take care of ourselves so we can continue to live in joy with the other animal companions who share our hearts and homes.
I asked Michelle to take good care of herself so that she and her Beagle, James, can continue on THEIR journey together.
I know Cassie would want that.
Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers
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