Our friend recently informed us that her beloved pet rabbit, Yoji, passed away at age eleven. Unsurprisingly for a rabbit of his advanced age, he had been having health problems. His passing, though, was unexpected:
“I’d spent the afternoon at a friend’s place and returned home at about 7 p.m. I fed him dinner at about 8 p.m. I gave him all the little treats he loved so much. The last time I saw him alive, he was happily munching on dried carrots, pea flakes, and flowers.”
I’ve owned quite a few cats and dogs in my life. For many of them, I’ve had to make the painful decision to end their lives. I held and petted each as they were put to sleep to end their suffering. Each time, it was like a stab in the heart. The pain of their passing is the price we pay for the privilege and joy of sharing life with our pets.
After our cat Rodeo was put to sleep a few years ago, I decided that I didn’t want to go through it again, so no more pets. But I still miss him.
