There is no question that companion animals are becoming more valued in our
society than they were just 20 or 30 years ago. Statistics indicate that more people in the United States today have pets than children, and most pet owners regard their pets as members of the family.

How we react to the death of any family member- human or animal- depends to a large extent on the part they've played in our daily lives, the significance of our relationships with them, and the strength of our attachments to them. Although we bring animals into our homes for many different reasons, the reason people most often give is the companionship our pets provide.

In some ways the companionship of animals makes up for the traditional support systems our culture has lost along the way. For those who are homebound, pets may be their only social contact. Animal companions weave themselves into the fabric of our daily lives. We live and relax in each other's company. They are there when we awaken in the morning, rely on us to toilet, feed, water, exercise, groom and play with them, greet us joyfully when we come home to them and may even sleep with us in our beds at night. We touch them, stroke them, pet them, hug them, kiss them, tell them our troubles and share our deepest secrets with them.

Studies show that we're likely to be even more highly attached to our pets if
we've nursed them through a chronic illness or rescued them from certain death; if we associate them with important times in our lives or link them with significant others who are no longer with us; and if we've relied on them to support us or get us through a crisis. How attached we become to our animals is as individual as we are, but the bonds that we have are valid, worthy of understanding, and serve to explain the intense pain we feel when those bonds are broken.

When a pet passes, we are allowed :To feel the pain of grief when the bonds
with our pets are broken. To feel shocked and overwhelmed by the intensity of our grief. To understand our grief reactions, feelings and behaviors as normal. To express our grief in our own unique way, within our own time frame. To have our grief recognized by others as significant and legitimate. To feel supported by others in our grief. To honor the memory of our pets in whatever way we see fit.
Peace

What a wonderful post Laura.

My best friend who grew up with me for 19 years was my cat Pepper.

When I came back from a visit to the states he was having fits. He was so unhappy I knew that when I took him to the vet that I would be coming home alone. It was the kindest and hardest gift I could ever give him. The gift of rest.

He was so sad, there was no joy in his life and so I said goodbye and he was gone so quickly.

My bestest friend.

__________________
Snowman1 Men are the same as women, just inside out !Snowman1

and these are mine, mine mine mine ...oh...and wifeys too !

Thanks for that, Neil. We had a cat that was my little buddy and we struggled with his illness for a while and realized there was nothing else to do. I still miss him, Licorice, and was very careful when we built an outbuilding that we stayed away from his burial spot. I still love black cats, but I don't think I have it in me to deal with another kitten.

I agree, and have done a substantial number of funeral services for pets. I see no reason why not to do this, since they ARE important in our lives. Without my pets, I don't know if I could survive, or if I did, if I'd want to.