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OUR OPINION
We all know the incredible bond we experience with our pets. In 2017, after being diagnosed with an incurable condition, I got a Siberian husky pup named Ruger. He became my best friend and provided immense comfort during a difficult time.
Ruger was a typical rowdy puppy, often escaping to explore the neighborhood in hopes of finding a barbeque he could sniff or a smaller dog he could intimidate. He kept me on my toes while making me chase after him in half a foot of snow. Despite his antics, our bond grew stronger. He went everywhere with me, and his presence was a constant source of joy.
Almost two years later, Ruger started having seizures, I was devastated. However, with proper management, we continued to enjoy our time together. Ruger lived his best life, full of adventures and love.
This last September, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to help him cross over due to his worsening condition. Ruger gave me the best seven years of my life, and I hope that I did the same for him.
How do we get over the loss of our pet and how are we supposed to imagine our life without them? After the initial loss of Ruger, I didn’t know the answer to those questions. I was living in a fog for days.
After speaking with my mother, she carefully mentioned getting another puppy which might help in the grieving process, but also as a companion for my other Siberian husky Timber, who was also, without a doubt, grieving. But I was hesitant on getting a puppy.
Almost a month later, I got an 8-week-old male, half Siberian husky and half malamute and named him Cooper. A part of me almost felt like I had betrayed Ruger by getting a puppy so soon, but those feelings of guilt quickly went away. Cooper was not only healing my sadness, but he is also in a way, therapeutic. Timber more than welcomed Cooper and he’s helped heal her broken heart too, now they are inseparable. My mother was right, this was working.
Cooper is 5 months old now and I couldn’t imagine not having him. He’s a bundle of joy with so much character, personality and a bit mischievious. I feel lucky to have him and certain he feels he’s a lucky dog!
Through this process, I learned that getting a new pet so soon might not be for everyone after losing a fur friend, but it surely worked for me. I can relate to this quote, “The dog you love today was sent by the dog you loved yesterday.” While I will forever love and miss Ruger and wish I could gaze into his beautiful blues, in a way his absence is a presence through Cooper and for that I am grateful.
Ruger helped me in such an extraordinary way that even thinking about it to this day, it almost gives me chills that I was so incredibly lucky. Cooper has brought new joy and healing into my life, and I am certain that Ruger would be happy to see me smile again. The bond we share with our pets is truly timeless, and their love continues to guide us even after they are gone.
JENNIFER KRUSE WORKS AS ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER FOR THE MINER.
