Have you ever lost a pet?
I was that kid in the neighborhood who would round up the strays and hide them in our shed in the backyard.
We always have had some kind of animal floating around our home at different points of our childhood.
But it wasn’t till I was about 19 years old when I had the opportunity to have my very own cat.
After I realized “my house, my rules”, I soon decided I would open my home to yet another stray; a BIG orange cat.
I lost him in January 2021
And it was the worst day of my life.
I never felt or encountered this amount of pain before.
I can honestly say my heart felt like it had been taken out of my chest and it was gone.
I’ve cried many tears for many days and weeks and I still get teary eyed thinking of him.
I’m not sure if I will ever stop missing him, that is ok.
I helped myself cope by doing things in remembrance of; having a special place in my home dedicated to my best friend, the cat.
During trying times many of us connect deeply with our pets.
They are there at every step of our day when we leave, when we get home and everything in between.
We lean on them when we need to feel comfort, they cuddle with us when they want affection.
They help us relieve stress.
Placing that ever sweet paw on our leg and needing into us with so much divine love.
They can boost our heart health by going for walks and promoting physical activity, along with social interaction when you’re lonely.
There for it all
Fur Friends are even there when you need to have someone to listen to you even if they don’t respond back.
They look at you with those eyes that anyone can love.
They wag their tail full of joy and excitement.
They cherish us as owners and love us till their last day.
Even service dogs are trained to help fight allergies in humans and can help save lives in the sick.
Retirement homes and nursing homes bring in dogs for healing and comfort.
If you are one of the many that may have a difficult time creating and maintaining relationships then don’t let yourself down, when it may be easier to maintain your emotions with
your pet, while at the same time ease your mental health and allow you to express your feelings.
In a time of grieving and loneliness they can be the utmost best part of our lives.
These fluffy and furry companions are truly a man’s best friend.
The science shows this..
In a recent study published in the Animal Cognition journal, states that dogs are more apt to walk up to a person who is crying than when that person is exhibiting “normal”, happy behaviors.
This explains the true nature of a pet to the warm feelings of animals.
Finally, petting and hanging out with a cat on the couch can impart a sense of calmness and well-being in humans.
There are numerous studies that have shown that hanging out with your cat can help increase your levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
Both of these hormones can help alleviate depression and anxiety.
Even though..
Even though they say “you will see them again, at the rainbow bridge.”
Today, tomorrow and forever they will always have that special place in our hearts and will be forever missed.
