How to Prepare for the Death of a Pet

Learning to let go of a pet.I have lived with 2 cats pretty much my entire life. I still remember the first cat I ever had that I called mine even though he was my mom's cat, there was an instant connection with him.

Growing up, I never really understood how much having cats in my life mattered. I knew I loved them and knew that they were pretty magical creatures, but never really gave it too much thought into how much they made my life better.

That was until I got my real first cat. I was 15 years old and the family cat had just given birth to a litter of kittens. Since she loved my room, she birthed them alone in the closet and carried them closer to my bed a few hours later. I fell even more in love with these kittens, but felt especially bonded to the runt of the litter. He had slicked-back fur and eyes that looked far to big for his face.

Related: 7 things to consider before buying a kitten

I claimed him as mine then and named him Puff (but we call him Puppy) after the movie I loved at the time "H.R. Pufnstuf," and from that moment on we were inseparable.

As anyone who has had a pet that they love yet can't put those feelings into words, you know what I mean when I say I love this cat. He is more than "just a cat" to me and has meant so much more to me than I can say.

He saw me through high school, when I was dating my now-husband, through college, marriage, moving, and heartache. He welcomed my children into his life and never once made a stink about them taking up my time. He sat with me as I tried to nurse my kids, was here through the good and bad and always seems to know what I need.

It's funny how cats are like that - once you get past their tough exterior but when they love people, man do they love them. I feel that from this guy. He is now almost 16 years old, and I can see his age is now getting to him.

Related: The 12 best pets for people with allergies

He's not as energetic as he used to be, and he can't seem to see as well. He has trouble jumping onto his favorite places in the house and can't seem to walk up the stairs anymore.

It's completely heartbreaking. This amazing cat that has been in my life for more than half of it, and I know his days are numbered. It's terrifying to think of life without him and it honestly has been breaking my heart. I have never had to witness the end of a pet due to age and, well, it has been as hard as it sounds.

And it will only get tougher from here as bigger things happen and harder decisions have to be made.

- By Devan McGuinness
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