Pets are family, so losing one is like losing a family member. What makes it worse is when they must be put down because of cancer-- the one thing that shouldn't take the creatures we don't deserve.

I want to tell you a story. My boyfriend's parents had the most amazing dog-- her name was Ginger. Unfortunately, they had to put her down this past week due to cancer in her leg and her not being able to move around as well anymore. I was affected by this tragic event and after a couple of hours of crying over this beautiful soul that shouldn't have been taken, I came to the realization that losing a pet is like losing a family member. Pets become embodied in our everyday life, from taking them on walks to cuddling on the couch with them. They become ingrained in our lives and losing that connection with an animal is hard.

I saw the struggle on my boyfriends face when I came home from classes that day. He was devastated and I knew whatever I said wasn't really going to help him. I sat silently with him for the next couple days as he grieved. But, I knew no amount of grieving would heal this wound. Dogs are the most amazing creatures in the world, and we truly do not deserve them. With everything ugly in this world, they are truly pure innocence. As I sat with him over the next couples days letting him grieve, I realized what an injustice this was to this sweet dog-- cancer. I just couldn't fathom it, this was something that only took humans. Why would it take a dog?

I realized that dogs are just as vulnerable. I have come up with some things I think should help people overcome the sadness of losing a beloved pet.

First, take a deep, cleansing breath. I know it sucks, he/she was your best friend and know they are no longer there.

Second, don't forget that his/her soul is still out there set to be reborn for someone else (maybe even you) to have a new best friend.

Third, I know it's hard, but would you rather them suffer? In all actuality, they are in more pain than you and I could probably imagine and unlike us they can't let us know if they need more pain medication or need another doctors appointment.

Fourth, I know it hurts unbelievably bad, but don't take down those photos of them, you will regret it. Leave them hanging there on the wall, relieve those memories, don't let something ugly dishonor your memory of him/her, smile through the tears.

I hope that these four little tips will help you get through that awful, tragic moment. Remember that their corporeal form may be gone, but their soul will live on forever.