By Eman Osman
Pets are often just seen as some sort of toy, a creature that looks cute, eats and makes sounds. Many people, particularly here in the Middle East, don’t consider them as a member of the family. They often forget that they are capable of loving and caring and for that we are obligated to love them back. To care for them, as they care for us.
If your pet has the privilege of being treated as such, instead of locking them out in the garden or on the roof all by themselves, then I’m sure you are responsible enough and know that the love you receive in return is worth all the work.
Strangers to this often do not understand how precious this bond is and that it is not easy to lose it. This is about more than just an “animal”, more than “you can get a new one”.
They are a friend. They are a sibling, a protector, your little baby. When losing a friend like that, yes you are able to get a new friend, but it will never be the same.
Like humans, animals have their own personality. Just as we’re all different, so are they. You can’t simply get another copy. One that will treat you just the same. One that does the same tricks, one that knows how to get your attention and you know how to get theirs. Believe it or not, it can be just as painful as losing a human.
After they’re gone, nothing will be the same. Your daily routine will change. You won’t be woken up by them; going to sleep will be lonely too. You will have one less person to feed and one less person to greet you when you return home. You won’t be sharing all your boring activities with anyone.
The craziest thing is, even spending some alone time won’t feel the same. Being in your home without other people but with your pet has a strange yet special serenity to it. The feeling that you are alone but you aren’t becomes something you’re way too used to. Coming back home one day and actually being literally and completely alone is not something that is easy to get used to, let alone move on from.
Losing this friendship is really heart aching and it’s not a case where people should feel like they’re overreacting with their grief. People need to be more understanding of those situations.
That said, for anyone who loves their pet as much as I loved mine, be grateful and enjoy your time with them as much as possible. And when the time comes to say goodbye, just know that you are not alone and it will get better some day…
