The death of a pet is not an easy loss to deal with. Whether you’ve owned them for a few weeks or they’ve been part of the family since you were born, it’s difficult to say goodbye to something so close to your heart. You’re left forever missing their affection, their familiar body and their presence.
This last week was the second anniversary of the death of my family’s beloved Doberman Pinscher, Kitty. She was a loyal and loving companion who left us after 10 years. The dog was more than a pet—her furry friendship taught me lessons that I will carry with me forever.
Pets can teach us how to be better people. Despite being animals, they seem to embody several characteristics that we should all strive to have. Here are a few things I learned from Kitty.
Prove them wrong when they judge you.
Dobermans have a reputation for being ferocious, mean-spirited watchdogs. Naturally, this was what everyone’s first impression of Kitty was. I even had a friend scream and run out of my house when she first heard her bark. Upon knowing Kitty for 5 minutes, everyone understood why she was named Kitty: she was gentle, loving and affectionate.
It is unavoidable to be judged in your life. Don’t let people’s judgements stop you from being you. Show them who you really are. Your interior is what counts.
The power of compassion can go a long way.
Kitty could sense when I was upset about something. She would nuzzle her head underneath my hand to show me she was there. When I hugged her, she would press her head and neck down on my back as if she was hugging me back.
When your loved ones are hurting, sometimes the best thing to do is not say anything. Simply showing them you’re there for them can be a powerful comforter. And sometimes, all they really need is a hug.
It’s okay to ask for help.
I cannot count the numerous times I woke up to the sound of Kitty’s howl. She thought she was left alone in the house, so she cried out. I have never seen more happiness and relief than when I would go to pet her and she realized she wasn’t alone.
If you’re dealing with something negative, it’s okay to reach out. By making it known that you need help, someone will realize that you’re struggling and help you. The only surefire way to get help is to ask for it.
Apologize.
In her later years, Kitty developed quite the sweet tooth. Often times when my family came home after being gone all day, a candy bowl would be overturned and wrappers would decorate the floor. Kitty knew she was guilty, and she would slowly slink up to us, ears droopy and tail tucked, before we even called her name. She sat and took whatever scolding we gave.
It’s important to admit when you’ve done something wrong. Swallowing your pride and apologizing can be a hard task, but it can go a long way in forgiveness. No one wants to be wrong, but admitting your errors and owning up to mistakes is necessary to grow from them.
You don’t really know what it’s like to lose a pet until you’ve lost one. When a beloved animal passes away, you’re left with memories, a paw-print shaped hole in your heart and valuable life lessons. Though they were only on Earth temporarily, the influence they have is infinite.
