Grief and Moving Forward

To all my dearest friends,

This is a great topic of discussion for those that have gone through hardships as it relates to grief and moving forward.  

Earlier this year, I had found out my cat Jack had a deadly cancer, Carcinoma.  I explored various options but the alternatives were very expensive and no guarantee of survival.  If you have ever been connected to an animal in any way, you could imagine the sadness I felt in my heart when I heard the news.  Jack was given 3 months to live.   My heart sank.  I don't have any children of my own and Jack meant everything to me.  I made the decision to allow him to live his life as naturally as he could.  

In the beginning, things went well.  I gave him pain medicine as he had surgery to remove the cancer from his mouth, but the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes. I proceeded to take care of him as best I could.  I nursed him day and night and gave him so much love.  My vet said to soak up as much time as I possibly could and I did just that.

Jack lived beyond the 3 months.  He lived for 6 months, and I truly believe it was only out of love for me.  On the day I had to put him down, I remember feeling this guilt but I knew I had no choice because the cancer had spread to his major organs.  Jack was suffering terribly.  It was the humane thing to do.  

After Jack's passing, I had placed stones around his grave.  After a week of visiting him daily as I had Jack buried next to my Lilly pond, I noticed the stones as I turned them over were carved 2 markings... one stone had an angel and the second stone a heart.  Mind you I did not do this, and they were not there when I placed those stones.  I knew then Jack was with God and he was at peace.  I asked my Grandfather daily to help take care of Jack and watch over him.

To this day, my heart is sad without Jack.  I can understand the grief that most feel when they lose an animal that they love so dearly.   The only way I was able to move forward was to take each day as it comes and each day that passed became easier.  Jack will always be in my heart as he took a piece of my heart with him.

Jack was only 3 years old when he passed, but he gave me the best 3 years of my life.  May my story of Jack provide you with comfort knowing that there is a higher being that watches over all of us.  Our little furry friends will be there waiting for us when it is our time.  

Blessings to all of you.