In 14 years of marriage my husband and I have had to say goodbye to 4 animals; two dogs, a cat and a horse. \u00a0The first dog we put down was a sweet thing who we found abandoned during a brutal heat wave on our country road. \u00a0I still remember how eagerly she lept into our truck and immediately made herself part of our family. \u00a0Unfortunately a few years later she became ill. \u00a0That resulted in pain and a change of temperment leaving us no choice but to have Tori put down. \u00a0Then there was Baxter, the cat I brought home during my single life, deciding that cats were better than men! \u00a0Shortly thereafter I met my husband-to-be. \u00a0And of course last year my husband’s horse of well over 20 years reached the end of his life, following much the same pattern as Shyloh as his body just decided it was time to stop working. \u00a0For me it gives me great comfort in having a death be a result of old age, allowing the animal a peaceful and graceful way to leave this life.<\/p>\n
My husband and I both agree that having children puts the death of pets in perspective. \u00a0I know people who have lost their children and that is simply a grief that frightens me so much as to make it impossible for me to even think about. \u00a0So the loss of an animal is not the end of our world. \u00a0We still have two horses and a goofy, lovable Chocolate Lab mix we chose from a shelter a few years ago. \u00a0But losing an animal does leave a hole and our quiet, gentle, incredibly well behaved Shyloh will be missed for a long time to come.<\/p>\n
![\"Shyloh](\"http:\/\/raz-family.ca\/RunKristi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/IMG_3612Reduced.jpg\")
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