ZUZU, who owned Kathy
AMPERSAND, who owned Kathy
BIG ORANGE, ZUZU, DUKE, PUMPKIN, and BUFFY, who owned Kathy
FREUD and BUD BUD, who owned Kathy
MR. BLUE, who owned Kathy
TRINKET, who owned Kathy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Once I became a pet “owner,” I realized that I don’t own them; they own me.
In addition to my own pets, I’ve fostered more than 700 unweaned kittens through the early days of parasites and upper respiratory infections to the ripe old age of 7 weeks, when they are ready for adoption through my local humane society into what I hope are their forever homes.
The vast majority made it, but not all. And not all their passings were gentle. Experience taught me to listen to them, believing they would tell me when the struggle to survive was too difficult. And they usually did.
Experience also taught me that I have a unique perspective on a pet’s suffering. I’ve nursed wee kittens and my own pets through illnesses. I’ve struggled with the decision about whether or when to end their suffering through euthanasia. And I’ve shed abundant tears as their frail heartbeats stilled. I know the agony. I’ve been there. And I know the way out. Kathryn W. Copley, PhD, counseling psychology
All the named animals pictured in this blog were someone’s treasured pet. They may have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but their absence makes them no less beloved.
