KEEPING

he only time our pets will ever break our hearts is the very day they have to leave us. Unfortunately that T precious time that we spend with them is always too short. It’s heartbreaking no matter their age. At first, it always seems like we can never move on. The paw prints they leave on our hearts is real. They are our family and we love them as such. As time moves on, however, we learn to look back at the memories with perhaps a little less tears and a little more smiles. We start remembering the good times. The times when they were young, or first adopted. Or, we remember the times they got over their greatest fear or made us laugh until we had tears rolling down our cheeks.

Often, during the loss of an animal, it’s difficult to express our feelings to others for fear they may not understand. As time passes, it’s even harder to talk about our departed furry friend as some may think we have moved on and “forgotten” our pet. I think most will agree that they are never forgotten.

It’s so helpful to keep their memories alive. While it’s true, you may have gotten another pet, not to replace them, but simply to open your heart to another animal. The truth is, no matter how many years pass, you still look at their photographs with a smile. It may not be healthy to live in the past, however, it’s refreshing to reminisce about the traits that made your pet unique. Do you ever just think back to some of their quirks- perhaps they were afraid of thunder, or only preferred one stuffed animal, or had to go to bed at THEIR preferred bedtime?

By Elizabeth Parker

A friend recently mentioned one of my dogs, Buddy, and reminded me of something that I had totally forgotten. Buddy was the playful, rambunctious type. The one that inspired me to write my first book. He was fun loving and very stubborn when he wanted to be. My friend reminded me that when she was dog-sitting him for me, she had to call me because Buddy wouldn’t come down the stairs. He was too busy running around with a shoe in his mouth upstairs. When she called, I told her to ring the doorbell and pretend to be talking to someone. So, she did. I heard Buddy’s barking over the phone as he raced down the stairs to see the invisible guest. It brought a smile to my face to have that memory brought back to life and also, that someone else besides me remembered the little tricks to get Buddy to do what you needed him to do!

Elizabeth Parker– Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Paw Prints in the Sand, Paw Prints in the Sand: Mission Accomplished, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil’s Door and Faces of Deception. Available on Amazon.com!

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