Why do we keep pets when we know that will die and break our hearts?

Question

My childhood dog Zoe died when I was 18 and I thought I'd never recover. My cat Herbert died last year and it was horrible, I have a 14 yr old cat and a 18mth old dog. Hopefully I will outlive them but know the ultimate pain | will go through. Why do we do this to ourselves? Is the answer to get another pet straight away or give up because it's just too much to deal with?

Answer 1

to keep us company while they're there

Answer 2

First of all, I'm so sorry you've lost your pets. It's obvious that you loved them very much. And though nothing will ever be able to replace the pets that you lost, it's all part of the cycle of life. There are things that come and go into our lives all the time. Some stay for years, some go sooner than we expect. All leave a hole behind, that nothing will ever quite fill the same. But we were meant to love, and to share our lives with those around us, and that includes our pets. So yes, get another pet. Let him/her name themselves, giving them something that fits who they are. Love them with all your heart. They'll love you the same way. And yes, they will part company with you some day. Holding back your love from something just because you know that all life ceases isn't a reason to stop loving. We take a chance each day we step outside our doors that we'll never come back. Those who love us take the same chance, but they wouldn't have it any other way. You see, we just can't help extending our love to those around us. It's as natural as breathing. We need to love and be loved. What would be the alternative? Living in a cave, with no contact with any living thing? That's pretty depressing, and a life that's no life at all. I have an 8 year old Sheltie that I love so very much. And she loves me. But, I know that Shelties only live 12 to 18 years at best. I feed her only dog food, give her lots of exercise and make sure all her needs are met. But I know her time is coming. But all the memories I have will never die. And I have lots of pictures to help me remember. I too lost a dog that I had when I was 14. I raised her from a puppy. When she was 5, she got hit by a car and died. It hurt a lot, and I didn't get another dog for several years. But when I saw this little Sheltie, just a little ball of fuzz, I couldn't resist loving her. The human heart is so big, it can love all it needs to love, and more. There will always be room to love another pet, and another person. After all, everything that passes through our life helps us to grow into the people we are. Without them, what would we be? <*)))><

Answer 3

Pets can add so much joy to our lives. They can be another member of our family. With all the joy they bring it is worth the heartache.

My parents are older now and they do not have any children still in the home. But they have a dog and two cats. All of which are also in their older years. Sadie their dog is having such a hard time moving because of arthritis. And the two cats are defiantly not getting as many mice. But the companionship and love they are able to still give means so much.

I'm grateful for the pets that are still there at the home of my parents because it does allow my parents a way to continue on their nurturing still their in the home. If you know what I mean. But it is hard at the same time that the pets themselves are showing their age so much. It will probably be a while for them to get another dog when the one they have passes away. It does break our hearts, but they do bring joy that I feel is so worth it.

Answer 4

Hi Helen, We all have lost pets 1 time or another. 1 reason, is they make us happy and brings laugher into our lifes.We have alot of fun playing ball and other games with them.Besides all of this,They feel pain and cry just like we do.Pets, Specially dogs are the best friends and companion anyone could have.Look at all the joy these pets brings to us,and it adds a few more years to our lifes.Just the joy,happiness and companionship they bring to us, is reason enough to keep going through the pain of losing a great friend.

Clowmy

Answer 5

because there is nothing like playing ball with a dog, or having a cat snuggle up to you, the unconditional love and trust they give you, the non judmental stares even if you screw up, the companionship and comfort. Its hard to put a pet down or watch someone we love and are close to die but the 14 some odd years you have with your pet are worth it. Would you really want to give that up. They are the greatest friends we will ever have and every moment you spend with them is not worth a lifetime without.

Answer 6

Because if we didnt keep pets and they all ran around wild then culling would take place then the inevitable would happen, as it does in the wild wich is the species will die out, so by keeping a pet you also helping its right to live on this world we all share, plus the bonus of loving an animal which they feel.

Answer 7

if the pet is too much to deal with because it's old and it's major functions are failing, then you should think about getting it put to sleep (we had to do this to my 11 yr old white german hepard who was suffering)

if it's a puppy and it's too much for you then it has a better chance of being adopted...

you should not keep a pet if you don't really want it, and are not gonig to be able to take care of it properly.

I like to think we keep pets for company. People have other people as company too, and people die, the point is not the end of their lives...

Answer 8

I know what you mean,

I've lost two dear little poodles over the last two years. Lifi who I had from a puppy, and who died suddenly of heart failure in June 2004 aged 7 years. He was so incredibly dear to me and I still miss him.

I adopted an elderly little poodle from Battersea in Novermber 2004 - little Dolly. She was only with us for 18 months - she had to be put to sleep in March this year because of kidney failure. Broke my heart. I miss her terribly.

I did get another dog quite soon afterwards to keep my other dog company, as she is not used to being an "only" dog and was a bit depressed. But I still grieve for and miss Dolly and Lifi.

For the person who said "They are just animals wait till you have real tragedy" - I had had plenty of "real" tragedy thank you and I still grieve for my lost pets as I loved them. How can you be so heartless?

I guess the reason we have pets is because while they are with us they give us joy and love. And as they say:

"Tis better to have loved and lost than not have loved at all".

Answer 9

To keep us happy in the first place of course. Who will cheer us up when we're sick? They are always happy to see us and they don't judge you. Plus they generally help you keep fit because you always have to walk them. Think, what's worse... living 20 years of happiness and a little suffering or not being happy for so long.

Get another pet to keep your mind off your old one. Don't let the new pet replace the old one, just make a new friend.

Answer 10

we keep pets because we love them and knowing that they had a better life because of us. I've never lost a pet other than fish before I have 2 cats that are 15 months old and I hope that we have them for a long time. it will be sad when they die but I know that I've made their lives happier. don't get a pet right after you loose one, unless you bounce back that quick and if you do, maybe you shouldn't be owning pets. wait till you are done grieving before getting another pet. then when you are ready, go to the shelter and pick one out.

Answer 11

well, personally ,, id l;ike to say , i had to have my staffy called buster put to sleep at home , in my garden with him laid on my lap,, after having him 13 years , from being a six week old pup,, and it really killed me,just cant explain how gutted ,,i feel this happened in may this year,, still pine for him now and i even buried him in the garden,, he had a massive tumour,, went blind and then his back legs started giving up,,, he was my bestest friend, in the world ....and no i am never gonna go through the pain and the heartbreak off what i felt or should i say still feel,, ever again,, couldnt bear it again ,, but some people feel getting another pet helps ,, probably so but are you strong enough to go through losing your pet again ,, im not ,, good luck anywayz