The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Losing a pet can be a big loss for a family

By Michael Cronk

I was reminded this past week that most people have a dog story or two, or a hundred, to tell. I heard touching, funny and a few tragic tales from empathetic friends and co-workers trying to console me over the death of my dog, Samuel.

A samyoed with big brown eyes, white eyelashes, ears incredibly soft to the touch and the famous "sammy smile'', Samuel was handsome; a head-turner who retained his looks almost to the end. He reached his 16th birthday earlier this month--a long life for a dog, particularly a larger breed one.

Still, it seems like only yesterday that we were bringing him home. I had gone with my wife, Diane, and our daughter, Jill, to do some shopping at Vallco Fashion Park in Cupertino. We wandered into a pet store (no longer there) just to look around. We weren't looking to buy a dog, or a cat, or a parakeet. But then we saw him, huddled in a cage. If there's anything cuter than a samoyed puppy, I've never seen it.

Over the years, Samuel went just about everywhere with us. He and my wife walked all over Los Gatos. When Diane attended public events,strangers would come up to her and say, "I know you. I've seen you walking with that white, fluffy dog.''

There's only been a four-month stretch over the last 30 years when our family was without a dog.

People love their dogs. That's not exactly a news flash. But why do we love them so much?

Take last week's episode of TV's Grey's Anatomy., for example. Meredith Grey is having a near death experience. She's in an operating room with two guys who have died, telling her she's dead. And who does she most want to see? Her dead dog, Doc, who jumps up on the table, tail wagging.

And, why is it that some people can watch an action film with with bullets flying and bodies dropping and continue to munch on their popcorn, but show them a scene with a dog in jeopardy or being harmed and they can't hit the door fast enough?

It's all about things like unconditional love, bonding and companionship. They may whine or pee on something once in a while. But who among us hasn't done that?

Right about now, I suppose there are those may be exclaiming, "Get a grip, man. It's just a dog.''

I grip just fine , thank you. I'm not the type of person who equates an animal's life with a human life. And, yes, I do eat beef, pork and chicken. But, I've never had a satisifying inter-personal relationship with a cow or chicken. I just feel it's appropriate to grieve for an animal that's been a part of my family for so long. That's why organizations like the Humane Society Silicon Valley offers pet loss support groups.

There's a gap between pet lovers and non-pet lovers. Neither side can adequately explain their feelings to one another. It's kind of like the movie character who, talking about faith in God, says, "For believers, no explanation is necessary. And for non-believers no explanation will suffice.

I miss my dog. That's all. I'm just fortunate to have ajob where I can share my feeling with so many people I've never met, and who know precisely what I'm talking about.

Michael Cronk is the editor of Cupertino Courier. Contact him at 408.200.1055 or mcronk@community-newspapers.com.