Yesterday morning my wife woke up to find out cat dead under the table downstairs. I was in the bathroom at the time and was roused by the weakling if my five year old daughter and wife. I fished up and rushed downstairs to find Lakota’s rigid corpse, eyes wide, mouth open in a death mask. As always or was her and yet not. The body was there but she had delays some time before as the cancer ravaged her body. And, as hard as it was to see, I knew we had done the right thing.
We all must die and I think it’s important for all of us, especially children, to see that it is the natural outcome of life. I doubt my kids will soon forget what they experienced this weekend and I hope they learn to not only to cherish life but to see death as a natural result.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
We lost both of our cats this past year. It was painful. We explained to our children what this meant, and I think they got it. They still remember our cats, from time to time they say that they miss them…and now they’re wanting another cat. And so the cycle begins again. To revere life by understanding death…
By: Lorien on 12/07/2015
at 2:37 am
Hi Mike,
However sad and painful, I’m glad your kids has had this experience. I hope for them it will have a profoundly positive effect. I’m sure that your calm and compassionate presence will likewise be a beacon for your wife and children.
With metta,
Ben
By: benoloughlin on 12/07/2015
at 9:27 am
Thank you Ben.
By: Upāsaka on 12/07/2015
at 11:36 am