The day we picked out my golden retriever pup, I was 7 years old. Dozens of puppies running around, but we could only take one special one home. As the basic family that mine is, we named her Carmel.
I had truly believed, and still do, that Carmel and I had real genuine conversations. Not that she would respond, but her eyes told me she was listening. Laying next to her on the hardwood floors having heart to hearts about what happened on the playground in 6th grade was a usual Wednesday night.
Having a pet as a child is an important and great way for kids to learn to take care of something and have a best friend at the same time. Carmel, like other childhood pets, lived a good life. She brought back dead birds, she peed in places she really shouldn't, she jumped on every stranger that entered the house, and she cuddled next to us on the couch.
I have concluded that the death of an animal is equally if not more painful than the death of a human. Where does a dog go once put down, doggie heaven? What if you don't believe in heaven, then where is Carmel going? Hopefully somewhere that has a plentiful amount of treats and toys she can tear to shreds, just like my favorite pair of blue converse she ate when I was 12...
I like to think she'll still be around in some way shape or form. Or I could break out a Ouija board and a dog treat and maybe she could be summoned by the gods so we can speak again...
Everyone should be thankful that dogs, and pets in general, exist because they provide a happiness that you can't get from anything else. A companion that can't physically speak to you, but you can still communicate through stage noises you make and think they understand.
Until they are gone, I don't believe you realize how special and important animals are in our lives, until you go back home and the house is quiet and doesn't reek of dog, or until you actually miss getting dog hair on all of your clothes and constantly cleaning up and wishing you had trained them not to pee on the carpet.
Going home to no puppy will be heartbreaking, but I hope all the other wonderful adorable pets bring what my dog brought to me.