Losing a loved one is a really hard experience and something that many people struggle with. Losing a family member is not easy, no matter their age, can really take a toll on people.
For some people, the same can be true when they lose their pet. This is because many of us treat our pets as though they are part of our immediate family. Losing a cat or a dog is as painful as losing a human in our family.
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Many families struggle with putting their pets down.
The gap that a pet who has passed leaves in a family is a big one. Some families really struggle when they don’t have their furry pal there anymore. Some people try to find different ways to cope with the loss of a pet. Some even adopt or rescue new ones, hoping to fill the hole.
But even when getting a new pet, the loss of your previous one stays with you forever.
Some cats and dogs leave a lasting impression on our lives. Some of them have been in our families for years and years. They grow with us and experience our most precious moments with us, too.
Many vets and animal clinics know just how hard it is to lose an animal.
When families have to put their pets down, vet clinics and animal hospitals know that it is a hard time. They deal with hundreds of grieving families who have to say goodbye to their beloved animals. It can be hard for them to be the ones putting the animal to sleep.
One Reddit user shared that they had to put their dog, Sunny, down after 18 years.
Having a pet for years is common, but having a dog for 18 years is something way beyond what most people get to experience. The average dog lives anywhere from 10 to 13-years-old, depending on size and breed. 18 years is a long, long life.
Having their dog for longer made it harder to say goodbye.
The Reddit user said that they were struggling with the loss of the dog, as he had been a staple in their family for nearly two decades. And, their vet could see how hard it was to say goodbye too.
Then, they received a letter from their vet that changed their day.
The letter was from “Helper.”
The letter began:
“Hello. My name is Helper. I am an angel. There are a lot of angels in heaven and we all have different jobs.
My job is to write to people and let them know that their pets have arrived in heaven.”
The letter was to let the family know that Sunny was in heaven.
The letter continued:
“One of the head angels told me that you were worried about Sunny and asked me to write you about him.
You will be happy to know that Sunny arrived recently and is doing just swell. I know that he was ill when he was with you. He had gotten very old and when you get old, your body is not as strong as it used to be.”
The letter also reassured the family that “Sunny wasn’t in pain anymore.”
“Sunny was tired and I think maybe he knew that it was time to come here. And it is a good thing that he did, because now he is not old anymore and he isn’t sick either. In fact, I saw him just a little while ago and he was running and jumping with some other dogs and having a great time,” it said.
And, it even reminded the family one day, they will meet again.
“Sunny misses you and hopes that you understand he had to come here. I am sure that one day Sunny will be there to greet you when you come here and you will have a grand reunion.
Until then, we will keep him busy and happy. Here we don’t have time like you do. It never gets dark. It is just one long day. And everyone here is your friend, so don’t worry, Sunny is not ever going to be lonely,” it said.
People on Reddit were super moved by the letter.
Many people were very moved by the letter and said that they were crying harder than they ever have. Many who have lost their pets themselves were very touched. Even if you don’t have a pet, I think it can tug on anyone’s heartstrings.
And, even vets and vet techs said that losing a pet is hard on them, too.
“Our vet sends sympathy cards signed by all of the staff. It’s kind of hard to take, but they know people are hurting,” one said.
“Ask vet staff what the hardest part of their job is, and it’s putting down a pet who has been part of your life and family day in and day out for many years,” said another.
We’re crying, too.
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