Pets. They are a part of the family and hold a special place in our hearts. Especially your first pet because they were there to watch you grow up. Their everlasting love for you is truly breathtaking. You wouldn't think an animal could love its owner so much, but they do. Which is why losing your childhood pet is probably one of the hardest things to face.
Recently, on Facebook, I've noticed that quite a few of my friends have lost their childhood pets. Seeing those posts made me reflect on my childhood pet and boy, was I shedding some tears.
You see, I was one of the lucky few to say that I got 16 amazing years with my pet, Salem. I feel so incredibly fortunate for the amount of time that I got with her. Salem and I grew up together. It's funny to say that, but it's true. I was bestowed the honor of getting my first pet when I was in first grade. Salem was my miracle pet. She was the runt of the litter so she was extremely tiny. Salem had endured a lot in her life with having to undergo seven surgeries. Each time, she managed to overcome it. Who would have thought that such a small animal could have so much strength? Salem was a fighter and she inspired me to be a fighter.
As time went on, she got to see me achieve many milestones. One of them being me transitioning from grade school to college. You never realize how much you miss your pet until you go away for school. I was that person who would ask their parents to put their pet on FaceTime so you could see them. I had no shame because I knew something as small as that would make my day better. Salem saw me at my best and at my worst. Just her mere presence made me feel better. Any time I needed a hug, she was there wanting to cuddle until the pain was no longer there. It's an understatement to say that her and I had an indescribable bond. We completely adored each other.
A true tell sign of your pet adoring you is how they greet you. Granted, you do feed them so they're excited about that but they're also happy to have you home again. As soon as Salem would hear the garage door opening, she would scurry to the top of the stops to greet my mom and I. When Salem passed, the lack of those little things she would do made a difference. There was now no one waiting for me at the top of the steps when I got home, no one who wanted to cuddle. Noticing that was heart breaking.
With the loss of my first pet, I grieved as if I lost a human being. But in my mind, I did lose a human being. I lost a best friend, I lost a constant in my life. In the death of my childhood pet, I have learned that:
1. The pain never truly goes away, it just subsides.
They say time heals the heart, but bringing you up makes the sadness resurface. Months may have gone by, but I still can't bring myself to look at pictures of you for I know I will start crying.
2. We are never ready to say goodbye.
No one is truly ever ready to say goodbye to their childhood pet or any loved one for that matter. They are always yearning for a couple more minutes.
3. Our childhood pet cannot be replaced.
Each pet is special to us. As time goes on, we will continue our lives and our lives may include giving love to a new pet. That's okay, it doesn't mean we love any pet more or less.
The loss of your childhood pet is tough because you feel like a piece of your childhood died too. Moving forward is rough so to those of you who have lost your first pet or any pet, I give you my deepest apologizes.
Their memory lives on with you until the one day you meet again.
