I have a cat that is eighteen years old. I took him for his annual checkup at the veterinarian and discovered that three of his major organ systems are failing. I know his last days are coming and it saddens me to see them on the horizon. But as the days pass, I cherish my cat more and more and I’ve come to realize that the compassion we exhibit for our pets in terms of death is different than the compassion we exhibit for each other.

The truth is we hold on to human life longer than we hold on to any other life. We value it more because most of our religions tell us its more valuable or because we simply choose to believe it so. This idea of value is something we cling to when someone we love is about to make the transition from this life to the next. We cling to it so much that sometimes we make choices to prolong life even when it may be harmful to and even when it falls against the wishes of those we love.

When the life of our pets reaches that precipice, we often allow a natural death to occur. Sure there are some who may try to prolong the pet’s life but the vast majority of us choose to comfort them as they transition. When we are sure their life is terminal, we are more willing to accept death and assist its natural processes. We do so with comfort in mind.

Death is something that everyone and everything will experience. It doesn’t discriminate. It is part of every cycle that we know. Yet as humans, we are often preoccupied with its subversion. Our attempts are futile because death can never be subverted. Its patience only grows stronger when faced with our efforts. We are the only animals that fool ourselves in this matter. It may be our modernity that has brought us to this current view.

I’ve accepted the death of my cat, and I know that when it comes I will be ready to assist him when he transitions from this life to the next. Yes, I’ll be sad. Yes, I’m sure to cry. But I will pet him in my lap until his eyes finally close.

There is nothing more sad than the death of someone you love even when that ‘someone’ is a pet.