Pets. Why do we do it to ourselves?

[MarianneEnjolras]

My sister just rang to let me know that her cat was hit by a car last night and they can't find him. The cat's collar came off on impact and the driver rang my sister to let her know. The cat ran away but hasn't been seen since. It's not looking good .

Every time a pet dies it's just horrible. You wouldn't think you could get so attached to such a small creature.

When my mum died last year one of her cats went missing and has never been found. She was healthy but I still think of her and wonder where she is and whether she is ok.

Why do we do it to ourselves? Sometimes I think we have enough to worry about regarding the health of family and friends, and yet we still add these tiny dependant creatures to our families just so we can worry about them too!

Cats run off and hide when they're scared.

:(

:(

My beautiful boy had to be pts at 19, it was awful. He's left a furry hole in my life.

I have an old dog with health problems. I hate seeing her like this. I swore when my last dog was old and frail that we wouldn't get another because it's just so upsetting to see them sick and in pain. But we did get another (what can I say, we're 'dog people' ) and are now going through the same thing.

As horrible as this stage is, our dog has brought us many years of joy and is a much loved member of our family. The hard part at the end of their lives is what we sign up for when we get a pet unfortunately. Doesn't make it any easier though, I know

elcranko, you're right it doesn't get easier. We've already decided that, when we're ready, we'll adopt a couple of cats. :)

Why indeed? I have a 9 year old labrador, and 8 year old cocker spaniel and a 12 year old cat. All are in very good health so far, thankfully.

Not yet quite what you would call "elderly", but old enough for me to realise that we never know what is just around the corner, and to dread the day when things go downhill and the inevitable happens.

All we can do is enjoy each day as it comes.

It is true that cats do tend to run off and hide for a time when they have had a trauma. I do hope your sister's cat turns up eventually. My neighbour's cat was hit by a car on our road and shot off. It reappeared about 24 hours later, a bit shaken and quiet, but OK. Fingers crossed.

My little dog died very suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. To say we are all devastated is an under statement. He was only 8 and hadn't been ill so it was a massive shock to get up yesterday and find he'd passed away. We are just heartbroken DS1 is crying himself to sleep and waking up crying its awful to witness. It feels like there's a family member missing. Our house is empty without him.

Oh Clps,

They are wee family members.

My father cried when our old boy died, first time I saw him cry. He swore never again, he never owned another dog, broke his heart.

We have a house full of rescues. My DS was ill, sat with the cat all day. Best pals. I dread losing them, but that's because they fill our lives.

It's our human capacity for love and caring and needing to offer that love and care where we can.

It hurts like hell when they die though. The price we all pay.

Why do we do it to ourselves? The end is absolutely heartbreaking but the love and loyalty before that is worth it.

Sorry to hear about your sisters cat

I rave about cat proofing your garden to as many people as I can, it eliminates needless deaths by cars, poisons etc

Because of that old saying:

'It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.'

However, I don't get that attached to my pets TBH. They live much shorter life spans than we do, and that is OK.

Being my pet is a bloody good gig so I don't feel that bad when they die.

Everyone, everything dies eventually. But if we refused to love other animals (or humans even!) because one day they are going to die, our existence would be very, very lonely.