I was pretty floored when a pet rat died about 15 yrs ago.
We'd bought a brown and a white fancy rat from an apartment breeder, and they were very nice and well-tempered. A short time later we added a fancy rat that was living rough in a PetSmart, so he was a little less socialized.
The all lived in the same cage. Occasionally the PetSmart rat would tussle with the other two, then retreat to separate corners.
As they got older, the first to die was the brown fancy rat. As he passed, the white fancy rat and the PetSmart rat laid on either side of him and made sure he was safe and still until it was over. I was sad enough that the brown rat was dead. Watching the other two take care of him through the end just gutted me.
For me personally, I would be quite happy to have a beloved dog's obituary published next to mine. I agree with Will Rogers that "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
I see no disrespect for any humans in having that obituary there, just love and respect for a wonderful dog.
Thank you for sharing your feelings and that beautiful Will Roger's quote. I will add cats to it.
The word disrespect for the humans there didn't cross my mind, honestly. As I opened with, I don't know how to feel about it still. Loving an animal does not diminish love for humans and mourning the loss of one does not diminish the grief of losing the other. We all love differently and in different degrees.
TG, your post was wonderful. Your point about judging was on the mark. I kept my op judgement free for the reasons you share.
I think placing pets in the obit section is a fine idea. As others have commented, grief over the loss of a pet can equal that felt as a result of losing a human relative. This happened to me when I had to have my little tuxedo cat Marlene put down last April. I'm shedding tears as I write this.
Most of you are probably aware of the "Rainbow Bridge" poem. I'll post a link below. Wouldn't it be wonderful is the poem's message were true?
