For those of us who have chosen not to have animals or pets in our lives, you can easily fall in to the trap of underestimating the emotional pain when an animal whom we have loved and cherished passes away. They’ve been able to occupy a very large part of our human heart (and very welcomed too). We’ve all heard phrases, “He’s part of the family”, “She’s like one of the children” or “I would be totally lost without her”. All very true and powerful emotions.

It was those powerful emotions which came to me as I read the poem below. The words really struck an emotional cord, as I thought about past and present pets which I have loved and cherished. Some cheeky and cute, one or two a bit pernickety but all loving. They all made the best confidants! The very best of listeners, not so hot on the verbal responses but that didn’t matter. The best thing was that they were always there when I needed an uncomplicated hug.

It’s OK to feel those big emotions when a cherished animal passes away, grief is grief and it hurts, it can hurt lots.

It’s OK to give yourself time to feel sad and to mourn your loss.

It’s OK to grieve your way - there is no rule book. Do it your way.

She wobbled to her feet

She stumbled to a teat

She took two steps and off she went

From walk, to run, to leap

Dreams of jumping trees so high

No wall too tall nor fence deny

The leaps I’ll take and mischief make

With these good old legs of mine

Feeling joy in every spring

Unknown what each may bring

Til’ she leapt so high that with a sigh

She found that she had wings

Now through the sky she soars

Skipping clouds and rainbow shores

Amongst the stars her light will dance

Leaping heavens evermore.

Written by Matt Huggins

Author of Wrapper the Rabbit