One thing that can tug at the heartstrings more than anything is the deep connection we share with our pets.
This article is in response to a friend’s request that we share our life journey with pets after we recently put down our senior cat and adopted a new one.
Quote of the day: “At any moment, you are one good choice away from a meaningfully better life.” James Clear
Even though most days I concentrate on inspiring women with their fashion and style, I feel like we are much more dimensional than just our clothing. While I may not be a Mental Health provider or a veterinarian, there is much to be said about including pets in our life journey.
While this is only my opinion and my experiences, I hope it possibly resonates with others.
Our pets become our companions, our family members, and sometimes even our lifelines during difficult times.
And just as there are pros and cons to everything in life, the same holds true with our pets. There is no way to skip the inevitable heartbreak—the pain of seeing them sick, the agonizing decision to let them go, and the overwhelming void they leave behind.
I love that sentence. It’s not just about us.
It’s about providing love to another furry pet. Many of my friends say that they can’t go through that loss again. But it seems selfish to only think about our emotions. Of course, it’s hard to lose our furry friends. Of course, it’s sad to say goodbye. And it’s no secret that we aren’t going to replace them with another animal.
Replacing them is not the goal in my opinion. Our life journey is about love and kindness and nothing does that more than providing heartwarming shelter to pets. It can be life-changing for many animals that are in cages around the country.
Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that the hardest part is when you have to say goodbye. They get old, they get sick and we are blessed to be able to take away their pain.
I have shared products that help our fur babies as they get older, but we all know that every life has an ending.
That’s when the questions begin to swirl in your mind. Are they suffering? Am I making the right decision? And yet, as much as we wish they could live forever, we also know that part of loving them is knowing when to let them go.
Many studies say that the majority of us wait “too long” to decide to put our babies down. But it’s an incredibly hard decision, and no time is a good time.
If there’s ever a decision that feels impossible, it’s deciding to let go of a pet. Even when you know it’s the right thing to do, it never feels right.
Even though there are many resources to help you with the decision, it’s such a sad part of our life journey with pets.
As someone who always looks on the bright side, it’s wonderful to know there are many at-home pet euthanasia options in case it’s too hard to go into a vet’s office.
Sometimes, the procedure itself isn’t the worst part. It’s coming home to an empty house and cleaning up their pet items that can be heart-wrenching.
I know many think they could never go through it again. You think there is no way to replace my special furry pet. But here’s the beautiful thing—love doesn’t have to be replaced. It can grow, change, and extend to another soul in need.
I remember when we put down our first cat (we called him the meanest cat ever) and I thought I’d wait until the house was clean again to even think about bringing another cat home.
But man, the house was way too quiet without him, so 3 days later we were at the store adopting Monkey.
The first days with a new pet can feel strange—there’s excitement, but also you’re getting used to all of the newness. This new furry friend starts to show their personality, they start trusting you, and suddenly, they’ve found their own unique place in your heart.
There’s nothing quite like the moment when you realize that your heart has expanded. This new pet—whether they’re a bouncy puppy, a sweet senior dog, a mischievous kitten, or any other wonderful creature—brings their own kind of love into your life. They don’t replace the one you lost; they simply add a new chapter to your story.
You start forming new routines, new inside jokes, new nicknames, and new favorite moments. Maybe this pet loves snuggling in a way your last one didn’t. They could have a quirky habit that makes you laugh. Maybe they’re a little shy at first but slowly open up, showing you that trust and love can grow in the most beautiful ways.
And then, one day, you realize something incredible: Your heart didn’t just heal; it grew. It carries the love of every pet you’ve ever had, and somehow, there’s always room for more.
Losing a pet is one of the hardest parts of life’s journey with pets, but the love they give us is worth every moment. While saying goodbye is painful, it’s also a reminder of how deeply we are capable of loving. And when we open our hearts again, we honor that love by giving it to another soul in need.
Grieving for any soul is a personal experience and takes time. Yet our lives seem happier when our life journey includes furry animals. The best advice I was given was to know that it’s not about replacing them—it’s continuing their Legacy of love.
The beautiful thing about the life journey with pets is that love, once given, never disappears. It simply finds a new way to shine.
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