Last week, I joined my daughter and her family as we said goodbye to a beloved pet. We knew the day was coming. Sadie was 13 and had liver failure. She hung on a long time, doubtless cherishing the love as long as possible. But finally, her decline required the kindness of relieving her suffering.
I’ve never been much of a dog person, but Sadie was special. While she was still able, she’d greet me on dancing hind legs. The last time I was with her while she was mobile, I got in trouble for feeding her from my plate, something I never did with our dog, Biscuit. I have no defense; I’m a grandmother and grandmothers often do what they aren’t supposed to regarding grands, even fur versions.
Following are thoughts on bittersweet goodbyes:
Love and Loyalty
In many cases, the loyalty and love animals provide is deeper than what we experience from people.
Animals want to be near us. Animals are perceptive, realizing when we are upset and coming close to provide comfort, or noticing when suitcases come out, knowing that means a change in familiar routines and familiar humans.
Cats rub against legs, and purr in laps. Dogs follow us, lean against us, and “help” as we work on projects around the house. They know the sound of a rattling leash means a walk and a rustling bag means food. They know how to “work” us with a longing stare or sad eyes.
When I was growing up, we had a cat who occasionally got miffed about something. He would sit on top of the TV with his back to us until he decided to get over whatever annoyed him about his humans. Animals don’t harbor grudges and forgive quickly, unlike people.
Bittersweet Sorrow
The grief we feel after the death of a pet is often as intense as the grief we feel for loved ones.
When our dog, Biscuit, died, I felt as if I’d lost a family member. His death came the week before my son left for college. I could never define if I was mourning the pup-pup or adjusting to the empty nest. Probably both.
Biscuit was mauled by a stray pitbull. His injuries were so severe he lived only a week after the attack.
Saying goodbye to Sadie brought back memories of her last week with us. Letting Sadie go was especially hard for my grandson. Sadie had been a part of his life his whole life. He held her, talked to her, and sang to her.
Renewed grief slammed into me headlong as I listened to what he said.
“I never thought this would happen like this.”
Internally, I said, I never thought Jim would die when he did.
“I love you so much. I don’t want you to go.”
Ditto.
“Can’t we wait another day?”
Dear Lord, could I have one more day with Jim, a chance to say goodbye?
My grandson planned to leave when the vet came in to give Sadie THE shot. Instead, he stayed with his hand on her heart until it stopped, and then, emitted a guttural cry.
In that moment, I relived finding Jim’s lifeless body, placing my ear to his chest and discovering no sound, no rise and fall. Checking his neck and wrist for a pulse and finding none.
My guttural cries came later, after all the cards and calls stopped. My cries, my keening. came as I sifted through the contents of his home office, saw his distinctive script, his architectural lettering, and handled what he’d touched.
Death, human or animal, is separation, missing. Death is hard, but not without hope.
Hope for Tomorrow
God’s care for the animals he created is evident in his provision for their survival on the ark. God cemented the bond between animals and mankind when he allowed Adam to name all the animals.
I don’t know if animals will be in heaven, but one of the ways we comforted my grandson was to give him the image of “Bop” waiting for and taking care of Sadie.
Later that night, my daughter sent me an AI-generated photo of Jim holding Sadie in his lap. It brought tears, but also a smile. It provided hope and a reminder that this life on earth isn’t all there is. Because of God’s great love, faithfulness, and forgiveness, we are promised eternity in heaven for all who believe and accept salvation through Christ. The assurance of eternity in heaven fuels forward motion.
I know I will see Jim again, and I’m pretty sure Sadie and Biscuit will be right there with him.
“And God made the [wild] beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and domestic animals according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it” (Genesis 1:25 AMPC).
“So out of the same ground the man was made from, the Eternal God sculpted every sort of animal and every kind of bird that flies up in the sky. Then He brought them to the man and gave him the authority to name each creature as he saw fit: whatever he decided to call it, that became its name” (Genesis 2:19 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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