Animal Angels

Animal Angels

"Rainbow Bridge"

(Artichokepress.com)

    

     Most pets, with their relatively short life spans, spend only a small percentage of our life with us, but during that short time, they can honestly touch our hearts in a way that no other creature could; some more than others.

     In my 21 years I have encountered many animals that I have considered part of my family. I have been lucky enough to have not lost any close human relatives, but I have experienced the death of many of my pets. I will never forget these beautiful souls that have come in and out of my life far too quickly.

     Teddy & Max were the first dogs I ever had, and the first I ever lost. Together since adolescence, the two truly loved each other's company, and were inseparable.

     In 1996, Teddy was diagnosed with cancer and had to be put down. It was a hard time for everyone but especially for Max, who was never the same after she passed away. One day, my mom left home to run a few errands and, regrettably, she left Max outside on his run. She came home to find Max dead on the outskirts of the woods; he had gotten caught in a bush and his run, and suffocated to death. 

     Although it was most likely an accident, we could not help but think that perhaps Max found life without Teddy, his mate, unbearable and had chosen to join her on the other side. It sounds crazy, but the next year behind their old enclosure we discovered two dogwood trees growing side by side. I like to think that it’s Teddy & Max, together again. Below is a photograph that perfectly captures how I felt when viewing those two trees.

"Trees Embracing"

(Flickr.com)

     Tabitha was Tigger’s mother; I had them both since I was born. Tigger was the most easy-going, relaxed cat you would ever meet, while Tabitha was more aggressive and territorial.

     At age 14, Tigger was struck by a car while he did his routine visit to the house across the street. I watched him die in a cardboard box. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes; I couldn’t believe such an amazing creature had to die in such a horrible way. Tigger was buried in my backyard.

     Tabitha died three years later, at age 20. She suffered a slow decline, and one day when she decided it was time to go, she went to a quiet place to die alone. We never found her.

Black Cat

(Yourdailycute.com)

MY OLD CAT

My old cat is dead

Who would butt me with his head.

He had the sleekest  fur,

He had the blackest purr.

Always gentle with us

Was this black puss,

But when I found him today

Stiff and cold where he lay,

His look was a lion’s.

Full of rage, defiance :

O ! He would not pretend

That what came was a friend

But met it in pure hate.

Well died, my old cat

~Hal Summers "My Old Cat" (Enright, 300)

     Kimba will forever hold a special place in my heart as my favorite pet. He was a gorgeous purebred Samoyed that loved nothing more than to have fun. We got Kimba in March 2004 and he quickly became part of the family.

     Sadly, we only got to share less than two years with Kimba. My mom and I were moving to Florida and she didn’t want to bring a dog meant for snow to such a balmy climate. The day we had to give him away was one of the worst of my life, and the solemn expression on Kimba’s face told me he knew something bad was happening. Samoyed’s are known for their “sammy smiles”, but that day his was nowhere in sight.

     It has been 6 years since we gave him up, and I know that the once lively puppy I knew has grown into old age. In a way I’m happy that I will never see his health decline. In my memory, he will forever live on as the young, vibrant dog that he was.

Above: Kimba

All taken by Erica Albert

     Many cultures of the past and present worship and revere animals. Animals have been on Earth longer than humans, so this should come as no surprise.

     Egypt is an ancient civilization that quite literally put animals on a pedestal. Countless statues and engravings have been found scattered around the ruins of their society. Egyptians worshipped gods who resembled animals. Anubis, Horus, and the famous Sphinx are just a few of the animal figures. Anubis has the head of a jackal, while a falcon’s likeness replaces the human head on Horus. The large Sphinx sculpture possesses the body of a lion with a human’s head.

     Wealthy Egyptians even memorialized their pets in the same style that they might themselves. Those with enough money to spare actually mummified their cats, entombing the animal beside them in their family’s chamber.

Above Left: Mummified Cat

Above Right: Horus

Above Center: Anubis

     Native Americans are taught from a young age that nature and animals are sacred. By their late thirties and early fourties,they learn that  four-legged animals, birds, and bugs are to be treated equally. Sioux Indiansexpressed gratefulness for the abundance of game and resources on a daily basis. They respected "Mother Earth" as a vehicle through which "wakan tanka" flowed. In the Native American culture, "Mother Earth" is depicted as a woman named Gaia.

Gaia

(Sodahead.com)

     People who own pets live happier, healthier lives! Having a pet keeps the owner active, which decreases their risk for obesity. Also, survival rates are 28% higher for heart attack victims. This could be for a variety of reasons. For one, the pets probably keep their owners alert and conscious as they wait for assistance to arrive. Pets reduce stress, simply petting them or cuddling with them can decrease blood pressure.

     Animals are pure and innocent creatures. In the world that we currently reside in, it is a blessing to have a loving pet in your life. Regardless of how your day has been, when you come home they welcome you with a wagging tale and a happy heart. Someday I hope to meet mine again, maybe when my time in this world has come to an end.

Works Cited

Enright, D.J. The Oxford Book of Death. Oxford [Oxfordshire: Oxford UP, 1983. Print.

Kramer, Kenneth Paul. The Sacred Art of Dying.: How World Religions Understand Death. NewYork,  NY [u.a.: Paulist Pr., 1988. Print.

Porras, Jerry L. Stewart, Emery and Mark Thompson. Success Built to Last: Creating a LifeThat            Matters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Pub., 2007. Print.