The saddest and most heartbreaking thing in the world is "departure," whether it's another person or a pet. Life is full of such experiences, but many people haven't seriously considered them.
How would you react if a pet passed away? Would you remain calm, or would you be overwhelmed with emotion, like sand in your eyes? It really depends on the bond between you and your pet, and whether the owner is rational or emotional.
A man abroad has owned a cat for 13 years. This cat accompanied him through the happiest years of his childhood and the most successful years of his youth. He knows that his cat is getting old, but he doesn't accept it in his heart.
The owner took the cat to the vet after it stopped eating, started sleeping excessively, and seemed uninterested in everything.
But the doctor told him that his cat was very old and might not live much longer.
The cat's owner grabbed the veterinarian by the collar and said, "How could it be old? Other cats have lived for 15 or 18 years. The oldest cat has even lived for over 30 years. It's only 13 years old."
Unfortunately, most cats only live to this age, and only a very few live much longer; they are the exceptions, but this cat is clearly not one of them.
Finally, the man accepted reality. The cat was truly old, so old that it was nearing the end of its life. Looking at his cat lying on the hospital bed, the man was overwhelmed with emotion. He kissed the cat and began calling its name. He cried; he felt he hadn't cried in a long time, perhaps wanting to hold it all in for a good, cathartic cry this time.
But the cat eventually left. He said, "I liked the cat a lot when it first came to my home, but after it scratched me, I ignored it for a long time. But it gradually became affectionate towards me, so we became good friends again. Sometimes I would share my toys and treats with it, and seeing it smelling its own smelly feet and looking utterly hopeless, it all seemed so close."
That's what having a pet is all about; it witnesses your growth, and you witness its growth in return. A person's best friend might not be another person, but a pet, because a pet knows all your secrets and can accept them all.
A typical cat's lifespan is only 11 to 13 years, although some breeds can live for over 15 years. While spaying or neutering can extend a cat's lifespan by preventing mating, it only extends it by a little over ten years.
People who don't own pets can't understand this feeling, but we all know that pets can only stay with us for more than ten years. More than ten years is a long time, enough for a naughty teenager to grow into a mature man or woman, but more than ten years is also a short time, enough for a pet to live out its entire life.
Perhaps your cat won't be around for another ten years, but we want to remind everyone to cherish every moment with your pet now. Technological advancements allow people to document their lives, and naturally, they can do the same with their cats. Perhaps you can start now, leaving behind indelible marks on this friend. Many cat owners may not yet have photos of their cats. No use for them now? But I think there will be a day when you look back at them.
The man might clone a cat like some others, or he might keep one, or he might not. But this cat will be his eternal memory and his forever friend.
