Losing a pet is something that no one ever wants to experience in their lifetime but there is no way to avoid it. We let pets into our hearts and welcome them into our families with open arms. After a while they become apart of the family and you wonder how you lived your life without their constant love and affection. When they get older and have to leave this world, it can be awful and emotional. I miss my cat Sassy everyday and I don't think the pain will ever go away. This is a letter includes all the things I wish I could have told her before she left this world.

Dear Sassy,

It feels like only yesterday mom and I were picking you up at the shelter all those years ago. I remember that all I wanted was a cat and when we brought you home it was one of the greatest days of my life. The first couple of months were tough and we always seemed to step on you when we weren’t paying attention but you became a part of the family. I remember watching you sleep on every surface of the house and get into places that you shouldn’t have. But the one place I could always find you was on the foot of my bed. I always joked that it was actually your bed and I was a frequent unwelcomed guest in your domain. The amount of times I kicked you in my sleep was nothing short of a thousand and I always felt like the worst person in the world when I did.

Cat are known to be mean and literally act like they hate everyone but you were special. You absolutely hated being held unless we were going to the vet and we knew to not touch you when you were in a mood, but we loved you anyways. The countless times I cried into your soft fur because of troubles at school or with my parents, were endless. Somehow you seemed to know I needed you at that moment and never ran from me. You took my love and was always there for me. You also took the countless beating from our dog Lucky (RIP) which I know aged you a lot. But I truly believed that 9 lives thing was true for you.

I remember the day we realized something was wrong. One of my friends pointed out your weird breathing and I knew something wasn’t right. I immediately took you to mom and we talked about taking you to the vet to get check out. We don’t have a lot of money but you were a top priority. I was heading back to college soon and I needed to know you were going to be okay. Mom took you to the vet a couple days later and you got some medicine. We were hopeful it would work but you were 13 years old and we knew your time to leave us was quickly approaching. I realized I was not ready to lose my best friend. We had been together since I was 4 and I always hoped you would be around to see me graduate college. You only had a year and a half to go and I was hopeful.

Well, August came and went and you were still here. One more vet visit involved a x-ray and a couple more shots. They couldn’t find anything wrong and we were worried. I hated myself for it but I suggested putting you down because I knew you were suffering. I couldn’t deal with the pain of watching you die. We never ending up taking you back to the vet though. When mom had told me you had passed away, something in me died that day. I was away at college and I didn’t get to say goodbye. I never regretted leaving home for college as much as I did that day. We didn’t get to spend your last days together. I didn’t get to tell you how much you mean to me or how much I loved you. You were the best cat I have ever had and I don’t know what I would have done without you. Even though you scratched my whole right arm the first time we met I still couldn’t wait to get you home. Knowing you are no longer hurting and are in a better place helps with the pain of your absence. I hope you and Lucky are hanging out and talking about the good old times.

Even though its been a couple of years and we have since gotten new pets. There is just something unique about losing your first pet’s that stay with you forever. I have a new cat now and he loves to snuggle but he will never compare to the love I got from you. I miss you my little tweedy and I hope to see you again someday.

Miss You,

Lisa