Get Another One

A teenaged female brought in a rescued chinchilla to Dr. Pol's office during one of the episodes I watched. The chinchilla ended up being a lot older than she was originally told and died on the table. She was heartbroken. Dr. Pol told her to get another chinchilla. Even I was taken aback by how blunt he was about it but I know he did not mean it in "that way". He meant that since she loved animals so much, she should rescue another to fill the hole that was left when her chinchilla died.

Losing a pet at any age is hard but when they die at an older age, they have had a fantastic life usually. Lots of dogs and cats never know the feeling of love and comfort. People spoil their pets and love them for the short time they are on this earth. A rescued animal is a life saved. Believe me when I say that getting another animal as soon as possible is the best way to honor your fallen pet. You can never replace that pet but you can allow another to warm your heart. Several people I talk to during adoption events tell me they cannot stand to have another cat or dog because it hurts so much when they die. They are family and it is like being 90 and losing your 65 year old child. Yet that possibility does not stop us from having children and loving them long after they are gone.

Getting another animal after a pet dies is never about replacing that pet. It is about having the companionship again, especially during the grieving process. It is about having room to save another life after a pet's time is up. You gave your all to that pet and now it is time to give it to another. In memory of those pets you loved so much, never let your love stop.