If you asked me what the worst day of my life was, I’d be able to tell you without a second’s thought: January 2nd, 2016.
On that day, as I hopped off a plane from a lengthy and uncomfortable stay in a Cambodian hospital (long story), I was greeted by the news that my beloved cat had died.
The funny thing was, I’d been preparing for news of this kind.
One of my cats, Wolfy, is seventeen and creaky. When I said goodbye to my cats before flying out two weeks earlier, I’d given Wolfy a special cuddle.
“Don’t die,” I whispered, as I’d gotten into the habit of doing before we fell asleep. This time, though, I added something extra: “But if you do, it’s okay.”
I told his sister, Baci, to look after him while I was away.
She was four years old and in excellent health. I gave her a special cuddle too, because if I was being honest with myself, I loved Baci a bit extra. Wolfy was our family cat, but Baci was mine.
So when my dad pulled into the McDonalds carpark moments after picking me up from the airport, and my mum turned around with tears in her eyes, I thought I knew what she was going to say.
"Wolfy?" I said.
She shook her head, soundless with grief.
"Baci," she said, and started to cry.
I couldn't move. I was struck by a pain so physical it hurt, like someone had punched me in the stomach and winded me.
I could hear myself crying, but in some part of my brain I still didn't believe it.
Top Comments
To you, this is the worst loss in your life so far, but to compare the loss of your pet to the loss of a human life (a human close to you) means you have not lost someone in your inner circle and until you do, it is an insult to those who have lost a husband, a child and or a parent, to say losing your pet causes more grief. I buried my first husband at 26 and I have lost many pets, and the comparison is not valid. Each loss is different but with pets, unless you have a cockatoo or turtle which live til in their 80's, you will only have 14-15 yrs with them if you are lucky. I would not wish the pain I had on losing my hubby onto you or anyone. The strength it took to get through minute by minute & hour by hour was a lot more than the strength I needed when I lost the dogs and horses we had together. Yes, your grief is valid but don't insult other's grief by comparing. It is hurtful, feels insulting and dismissive.
The worst day of my life was the day my daughter died of cancer. I'm sorry but it doesn't compare to when we put our dog down. On her birthday we ache, on Christmas and mothers day and father's day. As we see her young daughter grow up without her mother we ache.