Grieving a pet can be lengthy process

Lauren Bonner/Staff Writer
I recently had a family member die: Shadow. She was an 18-year-old, grey and white, fluffy Persian. She was in my family longer than I’ve been alive.
Some people think of a cat or dog as just a family pet, but Shadow was and is so much more than that. She was and always will be a member of my family.
People say that, “They’re just a pet. Get over it and get another,” but it’s not that easy—especially when you had a special bond with them. Sometimes getting another pet can help, but sometimes you need time to grieve. However, grieving can take time.
I’m still not over my dog’s death, and she died over eight years ago. She meant and still does mean a lot to me.
Shadow was someone who was always there. I never really thought that she would die and not be there, but she did die, and I have to deal with that.
Pets are always there when you need someone. They’re there in the good and especially in the bad. They’re always there for you when you need someone to talk to or just to cuddle with.
People can learn a lot from their pets. What I learned from Shadow is to live your live to the fullest every day because you never know when it’ll be your last.
Even though Shadow was more my sister’s cat, I still miss her a lot.
I will never fully be over her death, but you have to remember the good times that you had.