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Heavy Petting
Oct. 12th, 2004 12:18 pmI just realised that I havent seen Billy, the stray neighbourhood cat, recently. Last time I saw him he was sick and weak, too weak to lick me when I picked him up, and I told Brent that it was time.
Its not the most pleasant thing to have suddenly remembered.
Why do I get so upset when a pet dies? My ex of 7 years found it very strange that the memory of my dog Jandal dying could make me teary-eyed, whereas at my godfather's funeral I was stoic.
I think its because every time Ive been around a sick, dying person Ive been struck by just how selfish they become. A sick person is angry and selfish and demanding, upset at the injustice of their impending death. Of course there are exceptions, and I certainly hope to be one should I become sick, but I havent seen many.
In contrast, a sick pet is more loving and caring than ever- they love to be around people, become almost frantic to show you how much they care. Often they dont heed their own pain in their efforts to prove how much they love you.
Its the combination of innocence and unconditional love right to the end that chokes me up every time.
UPDATE:
I got home tonight, thought about how he always came running and tried to hop in the car with me, held back a tear and opened the car door. To a frantic meowing and purring and jumping-in-my-lap and smooching Billy. Still as skinny as ever, and a bit slow and weak, although he managed to piss on my floormat when i wasnt looking, the cheeky bastard. Before I could slap Brent for keeping Billy inside, he told me that he'd taken Billy to the vet for the last time, but the vet said he had another couple of weeks in him and gave him some steroids and anti-inflamatories to stop the pain. So we have Billy for just a little longer, and he seems happy again.
Its not the most pleasant thing to have suddenly remembered.
Why do I get so upset when a pet dies? My ex of 7 years found it very strange that the memory of my dog Jandal dying could make me teary-eyed, whereas at my godfather's funeral I was stoic.
I think its because every time Ive been around a sick, dying person Ive been struck by just how selfish they become. A sick person is angry and selfish and demanding, upset at the injustice of their impending death. Of course there are exceptions, and I certainly hope to be one should I become sick, but I havent seen many.
In contrast, a sick pet is more loving and caring than ever- they love to be around people, become almost frantic to show you how much they care. Often they dont heed their own pain in their efforts to prove how much they love you.
Its the combination of innocence and unconditional love right to the end that chokes me up every time.
UPDATE:
I got home tonight, thought about how he always came running and tried to hop in the car with me, held back a tear and opened the car door. To a frantic meowing and purring and jumping-in-my-lap and smooching Billy. Still as skinny as ever, and a bit slow and weak, although he managed to piss on my floormat when i wasnt looking, the cheeky bastard. Before I could slap Brent for keeping Billy inside, he told me that he'd taken Billy to the vet for the last time, but the vet said he had another couple of weeks in him and gave him some steroids and anti-inflamatories to stop the pain. So we have Billy for just a little longer, and he seems happy again.
