The day I decided to have Snickers euthanized, I called my mom and cried. The next day, I called my friend Craig and we spoke for nearly an hour. Today, one day before it is happening, I called Bruce. Each, in their own way, offered me reassurance that I was making a difficult choice that was the best one for Snickers.
My mother sent me a text later that said, “You are the kindest man I’ve ever known.”
Bruce talked to me about the importance of Snickers in my life – the milestones, the tragic times we’d been through and how caring for her pulled me back from the brink.
Craig let me rant about my logic, my feelings and what I had read. Then we talked about feelings of closeness, connection, love and grief for our pets that far exceeded what we felt for most human beings.
In good times, I sometimes don’t look forward to talking to my friends and my mom. They can be self-centered, repetitive, annoying and energy sapping. As can I, I am certain.
But when the shit hits the fan, like it has been a few times in the past 5 years, they are always there for me.