When a pet passes

Pets often become almost like family members. And when they pass, the loss and grief are real and gripping. It's normal to feel sad, weepy and even depressed as you're coping with not having that special companion nearby anymore.

Our daughter-in-law, Emily, shared a brief reflection on the recent passing of her dog after 9 years of faithful companionship. It is moving and thoughtful, and not just a little bit tear-inducing.

By Emily Cook Nissley, Denver, Colorado
When I brought Martini home 9 years ago, she cried and cried until I let her in the same crate as Olive. They curled up together and went right to sleep. They were so connected. BEST friends.

I never had them separated except when I took Olive to the vet at OSU for her heart condition. When I pulled back home into that long driveway, Martini was always sitting at the door - tail just wagging a hundred miles an hour - as if to say “there you are, sister!!! How I missed you!!!!”

Olive passed several years ago from her illness, and I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that Martini has missed her ever since.

Martini has been sick herself for the past 4 years with chronic pancreatitis. Things were manageable for most of that time, but started getting worse recently. Last week after a particularly bad spell, I asked her if it was time - and she just put her head down on my shoulder.

My Mom said that Olive held on long enough to see Josh come into my life and to know I was going to be all right. I can’t help but think that Martini did the same - she saw me through many years of loneliness, through my degree programs, through fertility issues, and through being a new mom.

As she went to sleep here, I imagined her waking up to see Olive waiting for her at the end of the long driveway - tail wagging a hundred miles an hour - saying “there you are, sister!!!! How I’ve missed you!!!!”

Rest easy, sweet girl. I’ll love you forever. ♥️