What Our Animal Companions Teach Us About Life, Love & Loss

Summary

Walking my kitty to the Rainbow Bridge I wonder: What have your animal companions taught you about life, love and loss? 

Note 

You might notice that I’ll be dipping into the podcast archives to give you something to listen to this week. Why? Because on Friday the 1st of December I had to keep a promise to Gus the Good. Gus was the last of my 4 kitties, 3 of whom came with me to Whidbey Island and have gone on ahead over the Rainbow Bridge. 

Gus was a senior fellow. Been with me some 17 years or so since I brought him home from the no-kill pet shelter along with his sister, Kayak. Someone had dumped the litter in a bin outside a convenience store. He’s weathered many changes: losing his mates, moving from household to household, now age and kidney disease.   

The thing about Gus is that he took it all in stride. He asked for what he wanted when he wanted it. He snoozed in the sun of an afternoon. The morning was not complete until he got his brushing. I can tell you I’ve curried horses in less time! He figured out how to claim his spot on the bed and the pillow so I had to adjust to him. No matter my mood or attitude he was ready to hand out his personal brand of affection: face licking. 

I think the most common thought shared by all of us who have had to make the decision when to let our animal companions go to their final sleep is: I did it too soon or I did it too late. I hear you. My promise to Gus was that I’d walk him to the Rainbow Bridge a little early so that he would not have to suffer. Did I make the right choice? Here’s what our compassionate Whidbey Island house calls vet said: “Better to go on a good day than a bad day.” It was a good day for keeping promises.   

So I hope you understand if right now I don’t have what it takes to create a week’s worth of new episodes. 

Question 

What have your animal companions taught you about life, love and loss? 

What Our Animal Companions Teach Us About Life, Love & Loss written by Diane F. Wyzga in association with Beauty & the Beast Publishing. Photo: Diane F. Wyzga  on Unsplash.