I agree that we think we'll never recover from the loss of a pet. And I suppose I shall. But my heart is still broken and this particular death, as with this particular animal's life, will take me much longer than usual I suspect. But what you've also said is true, and that is that we think it can never get better than the one we love right now. And somehow it does. Or a new life alights on us and offers the most amazing new personality and ability to love back.
The ferals in particular provide such a unique and painfully beautiful relationship. They have to work so very, very hard to adapt to our lifestyle. I know that Jeevsie worked very, very hard to learn what it was to be calm and safe in a house. And believe me, it took years to get to how he lived right up until he died. But I am grateful for the gift he gave us in that. I knew he'd be safer, warmer, and better fed if he spent more time in and around our house. But what a leap of faith it was for him. He couldn't tolerate the sound of a door closing, nor could he understand what that thing was that we'd sit on to look at that box with the moving pictures. But eventually, he figured out that these were good things. Other pets are born into such a world. The Wild Things have to learn so much more. And I'm so glad he did because his life was truly a gift to us.
Onward. I've managed to watch a little football, though I don't recall what I saw. I watched Mrs. Madoff on 60 Minutes and have some thoughts on that. So I'll put up a post on that as soon as I can marshall my thoughts. I hope you'll weigh in so that I can know if you all felt what I did.
And finally, I need to close by saying this: we came together on my blog because of our intense dislike of a woman who shot animals for fun and who poisoned the national well for pleasure and personal gain. But what I've discovered is that we share big hearts and abundant love for our most innocent "people." That's a beautiful lesson to learn. Though, I might have guessed that about all of you anyway.
Again, my heartfelt thanks for your kindness and grace.