THOMPSON: Saying goodbye to a beloved pet a time for reflection

Losing a pet is one of life’s cruel blows. Perhaps it’s the unconditional love they show without fail – that humans look for in other humans but don’t always find – that makes the loss so devastating. At 75 years old, I’ve lost my share and then some of loyal dogs and cats. 

There was a pet Guinea pig that died when I was eight…but mostly dogs and cats. Sadly, neither dogs nor cats live nearly as long as we humans, so both our joy and grief are built into those relationships from day one.

Funny…I remember all their names…even from way back when. Brownie (my Guinea Pig) Pal, Flip, Snoopie, Sasha, Nicky, Pasha (all dogs) Smoky, Champagne, Inspector Clouseau, Minkey, and Gingee (all cats).

Last month, we said goodbye to Andy…our 15-year-old Rag Doll cat…who like every animal I ever knew…had a distinctive personality that could both endear and madden…often within moments.

Andy – like so many cats – hated travel. Still, he made the five- or six-day trip to and from Florida 26 times. He did not have a cell phone…so he never was able to report us for cruel and unusual punishment.

He was a lover…not a fighter…though he would kill for Temptations cat treats…any flavour. If you happen to be between him and those cat treats…you were glad he was ten rather than 100 pounds. Even days before Andy passed, he would run at a good clip from his spot under the bed to the kitchen when the treat box was rattled.

What I always liked about cats – and Andy was this – was their independent nature. Those who don’t understand cats often complain…about what they call arrogance. Cat folks know that a cat’s seemingly indifferent attitude toward you…isn’t arrogance at all.

Rather, cats are brutally honest. Many humans don’t accept honesty too well. Maybe they’re not used to it. Cats have a very pragmatic way of looking at life. They don’t see themselves so much as pets as animals that have to put up with humans.

Consider this…which explains a fundamental difference between dogs and cats. Everything is a dog’s favourite thing. Going for a walk…favourite thing. Getting fed…favourite thing. Getting rubbed, scratched or petted…favourite things. Chasing a ball…favourite thing. Spending time with my humans…favourite thing. Dogs – by and large – are easy.

Cats…like Andy…look at the world differently. You can see it in their eyes. When I was thinking, hey, Andy’s five years old. Andy’s thinking…this is day 1,825 of my captivity.

Nothing excited Andy – with the possible exception of Temptations – more than a tradesman coming to the house. He would greet, then supervise plumbers, appliance repairmen…whomever. Andy was especially helpful when workmen had really tight places to operate. He spent enough time watching them that I often consulted Andy before doing a Google search on what might be wrong with a dishwasher or clothes dryer.

Pet owners recognize differences in cats and dogs. Dogs are delighted to be let out for a run on your property…or even go for a walk on a leash. Indoor cats like Andy…seem like they want to go outside on the deck…only to stand on the other side of the sliding glass door that you just opened with what might seem to be a glare. This happens mostly after you sit comfortably back in your recliner.

Dogs will usually “ask” to go outside to pee or poop. Cats use their litter boxes. However, cats – Andy included – reserve the right to pee, poop or oop on your favourite rug or heirloom bedspread to show their displeasure with your leaving them alone or some other transgression.

Dogs will behave well if you are right there…always looking at them. However, leave the room or cast your attention elsewhere…and dogs are like prisoners…waiting for the guards to look the other way.

We had a beautiful Borzoi dog – a Russian Wolfhound named Sasha – who was the sweetest, kindest dog I ever knew. He was a big dog…his head was roughly the same height as a kitchen counter top. 

His mouth was nearly a foot long. Sasha liked bread…and when I say liked…his favourite thing to steal off the kitchen counter was bread…an entire loaf at a time…plastic bag and all. 

I once chased Sasha through the kitchen and down a hallway…he ate an entire bagged loaf of bread during that 10-second chase. He then looked at me with sad eyes…worried perhaps more about the digestibility of the plastic bag and bread-tie he just consumed than his behaviour.

I’ve found that cat people might love dogs…but dog people don’t necessarily love cats. You can control a dog…but you are foolish to believe you can control a cat. Some love both. I see the differences…and have learned to accept them for what they are.

I have a long history of being bested by my pets. I’ve never been quite as mischievous and downright devious as my pets. They win…and always get away with it. If pets could talk…I’m convinced they would be among the greatest con men and women the world has ever known. Fully half, however, would be in jail for selling driveway paving, used cars or Bibles door-to-door.

The problem is that nothing…not even children…can out-cute a pet. And if it’s a puppy or kitten…forget it. Where else can you get a higher level of entertainment than giving a dog a knotted rope or a cat a solitary Q-tip. And, if you have a laser pointer…you’re guaranteed hours of fun.

Dear Andy will be missed…oh, how he will be missed. But like every dog and cat that graced our homes, we will long remember the happy times we spent together. It was our good fortune in having all of them as the loved ones they were…even after they’re gone.