Losing A Pet

We lost our 1st family pet on Sunday.  Jake had been a part of our family almost as long as we have been a family.  Robbie picked him from a litter when he was not even quite 2.  Jake would have been 14 in December.  Although we knew this day was coming and he had his ups & downs these past few months, it hit hard.  Like a ton of bricks hard.  I have had pets growing up and lost them, but somehow Jake was diffrent.  Of course I was sad when I lost those other pets but Jake has left a huge hole in our lives & hearts.  Maybe it hurts more becuase I am a Mom.  And as a Mom I know I deeply Robbie misses his dog, his compainion, his room mate.  This is a "Adventure in Motherhood" I was not quite ready to take.  Although I dont think at any time would I have been ready.  Jake was a wild spirit.  He has frankly been a pain in the butt for 14yrs.  From eating furniture to toys.  Always getting into the trash cans, eating Robbies parakeet.  Chewing the thrmostat wire on our AC Unit 3 times.  I could go on.  But I would do it all over in a heart beat to see the bond that Robbie & Jake formed.  I just didnt know that it would hurt so much to see him go.  He lived a good life and we took care of him & he always watched over us.  Loosing a pet is like loosing family and if you dont feel that way, maybe you should rethink being a pet owner.  It much more devestaing & painful than I EVER thought imaginable.  RIP Jake 12/6/09 - 8/12/12. You were a good ol' boy