Animal Lover

After spending all day at a BBQ on Saturday trying to get His co-workers' animals and children to like me, we finally arrived home exhausted and ready to relax.  But alas, His dad came over.  As he walked in, he made note that the neighbor was outside with her cat...who had just been hit by a car.  I couldn't leave her out there, no one was helping her.

When I was a kid, our great dane puppy, Mindy, was hit and killed by a car while she was running across the street after a stray ball.  I remember the neighbor putting her into a garbage bag and her body was still trying to get a breath.  I will never forget how painful that was.  I was a kid, and she was my puppy, and to me she still looked alive...but the neighbor knew better.

Since the incident with my poor puppy before I was even 6, I hadn't seen a dead pet.  I wasn't sure how helpful I could be with this poor girl.  The cat was moved by a good samaritan and she was just sitting on the curb waiting for animal control.  *Note: they do not pick up dead animals, it is your responsibility, so don't wait three hours like we did*.  Once we found out that we had to take care of it ourselves, I let her know it was going to be in her best interest to say goodbye and I would clean up the mess and put the cat in a box for burial.  I have NEVER picked up a dead animal, let alone bag it, and put it in a box.  I scrubbed the street with soap and water so that the reminder of her worst nightmare wouldn't be on display daily on her way to work. 

It dawned on me the whole time she was apologizing to the poor dead animal that they are put on earth for us.  Easy PETA, all I mean is that we make them happy by taking care of them, loving them, and letting them run around.  The cat doesn't blame my neighbor, he was happy, and now it's over.  I was reminded that it's okay to cry, but don't cry for the cat...cry for yourself.

Overall, I surprised myself.  It had to be done, and it wasn't my "turn" to breakdown.  It is amazing what we can do cool as a cucumber when we are pushed to the limit.

Blueberry is in heaven now, and he'll wait for my sweet neighbor to join him.  She will fall in love and have her heart broken a dozen more times before she gets there.