It’s been disturbingly more frequent in my voiceover universe of late:  news of yet another friend who has lost a dear companion of many years.

While I don’t for one moment mean to trivialize the heartbreak of other friends who are dealing with death of a wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister, or family friend…this is different…sort of.

If you have ever loved, or been loved by, a small (or not so small) furry animal, you know they are so much more than “dumb beasts”.

They know our voices…they teach us to understand every nuance of every sound they make, like a second language.  And of course, they are also experts in non-verbal communication.   And the very best of them will listen to us and comfort us when no human has the time.

Just recently…Ron Levine, Zak Miller, my dear Kara Edwards, and others…have been hit by the loss of a daily source of unconditional love.  Their sorrow and emptiness is quite, quite natural.  The bigger the Heart, the bigger the heartbreak.

With each new notice, I have to go and lavish some more attention on my 17+ year old cat, Dodger, while i have the opportunity.

Not strange that we feel such loss.

How many human friends have been so devoted to us for so many years as these wonderous creatures other people so easily dismiss as “pets”?

—  over and out —