"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened."
~ Anatole France

Why do our best friends have such short lifespans!?

This weekend, some dear friends of ours lost their beloved pup and holy hell, it broke my heart! Not only because we will miss her - I mean, yes, she was an absolute sweetheart - but mostly because of the gaping hole left in their hearts and their home. I hate that kind of loss and I hate that they're going through it. It's raw. It's unfair!!

We are a family of two adults, two kids, two dogs, and two cats - that's a LOT of love in one household! The kids only live with us part-time, but the fur crew is here full-time, and they are 100% dependents - running the show every hour, of every day. No shame here - my cat is my best friend. Period. Brad tolerates it like a champ (or perhaps he's just learned to live with it).

These babies greet us at the door, without exception - every time as if we've been gone for months. They keep all our secrets. They painfully miss us when we are away. They follow us around like little furry shadows, obsessed and loving every second of it. They somehow know when we're feeling low or off and respond with nothing but unconditional love and affection. No grudges, no drama. They love with genuine hearts and unwavering acceptance.

That kind of love is next-level. It's a bond that simply cannot be put into words.

So why, for the love of all things holy, do they get such short leases on life!? Why do these best friends we depend on, confide in, and love so fiercely get taken from us so damn soon!? And why does it feel like some cruel joke when it happens WAY too early - like this past weekend?

Is it a lesson in love and loss? Is it a cosmic way to teach us how to grieve before bigger heartbreaks (if that's even possible)? Is it to make room - room for new fur babies to come into our lives and soak up all the love we can give? I keep asking the universe, but it doesn't answer back.

This hit me on so many levels:

1. I am gutted for my friends, knowing the unbelievable ache they're feeling.

2. Marley is missing his girlfriend - and that boy pretty much wears his heart on his fur, so it shows!

3. My own ride-or-die, Vincy, just turned 18 (yes, EIGHTEEN!) and I am NOT ready.

4. I literally cannot imagine life without my furry best friend (who is sitting on my lap as I type this).

I'm sitting here, getting all up in my feels, trying to make sense of it all - rationalizing the irrational, grappling with something that just IS NOT fair.

Here's what I know: We are so wildly lucky to have these creatures in our lives - to love us and to comfort us through emotions only they can nurture. They give so much more than they take. Their love is fierce, pure, and uncomplicated. They teach us to be present. To forgive quickly. To love deeply and without condition. To find joy in the smallest moments - a sunbeam on the floor, a slow walk in the grass, a belly rub that lasts just the right amount of time.

Losing a pet is losing a family member. They hold space in our homes and our hearts in a way no human ever could. When they leave, the silence is deafening.

This one is for the best friends who stay with us all too briefly but forever leave paw prints on our hearts and souls.

May we honor them by loving as fiercely as they loved us.

We pray we have many more beautiful years with all our fur lovies!

How do you cope when you lose your fur baby? What's the hardest part? Why do you think the universe makes us say goodbye so soon? I'm really curious about your thoughts on this.