Tip 8 –Intense and Emotional Passages

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineIntense and Emotional Passages

Tip 8: Some passages can be especially emotional and difficult because of the deep bond and love between an animal and their human.

Welcome!
Due to the many years of living together in the intimate place called home, I got very close to both Revel and Regal. We were constant companions whether at home or traveling in the RV. It was only natural that coping with Revel and then Regal’s passages proved to be much more intense and emotional then my earlier childhood losses. Not only enjoying them during their playful years, I lived with them through their aging process. Being their primary nurse and caretaker as they aged and developed their own health issues, our relationships became even deeper, more intimate, and filled with still more love during these important and meaningful times.

Both their passages brought deep grief and, thankfully, friends let me express my emotions and understood the intensity of my feelings. They, too, are all animal lovers and have experienced the same kind of grief. I’m sure that those of you who are reading this blog know exactly what I am talking about. You’ve been there and have felt the pain of loss too.

Thankfully, we all do recover with the help of time. Then, hopefully, we open our hearts once again to the joy of an animal friend and the unconditional love they bring us. I’ve often wondered if that is not their ultimate purpose in coming – to help us keep our hearts open and teach us about unconditional love. Anyway, that’s why we feel their loss so deeply.

I feel so enriched by what my all animal teachers have given me during their lives and then for what they have taught me about grief and loss through their passing. We can all be so grateful for our animal presences in my lives despite the difficult parts.

Next entry: Tip 9 and Preparation for Revel’s passage

With blessings, Linda

Filed under Understanding Pet Loss & Grief |