Why do the best always leave us so soon?

I’ve been trying to grasp my mind around this concept for the last few years of my life, but these last couple weeks hit me really hard. I’ve had a few close friends experience death and loss of some of their close friends recently. It’s hard to see someone you care about grieve and go through loss.

Last week, I lost one of my best friends. My dog, Bacon, died suddenly one day while I was at work. I’ve been struggling with the loss of him.

Bacon was the first dog I’ve ever owned. People say dogs are the only living things that will love you more than themselves. He showed me that was so true. Bacon had a love for my family that was unconditional. He was always so full of energy and wanting to play.

Tuesday when I was coming home from school, there were so many people out walking their dogs. It made me sad because our other dog, Maya, is a little diva and won’t go on walks. Bacon was my walking buddy. I just wanted him back to go on another walk with me.

Since Bacon was my first dog, I didn’t know how hard it would be when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Give your pets a hug tonight. Just like humans, you truly don’t know when their time to go is.

Grieving is difficult and everyone does it differently. What I have learned is that when people offer support, you should take them up on it. Whether it’s talking about your loss, or doing something that you enjoy to distract yourself, take someone up on their support. There is no timeline for grief. If you feel like you are handling the situation well, another person might not be yet. Everyone is different.

Death and grief are both hard situations that no one should have to take on, but they are a part of life. It is something we should take as a lesson.

 

Albert Lea High School graduate Erin Murtaugh is a first-year student at Rochester Community and Technical College. She can be reached at murtaugh.erin@gmail.com.