When we adopt a pet, we know we will likely outlive them. We know that adorable kitten or rambunctious puppy will someday grow old but it’s best to just enjoy the fun of watching them grow up.

My parents were forced to have their dog put down yesterday. I affectionately called Fritz my brother, a joke that wasn’t so far off since my parents treated him like a child and he was certain he was a person too.  Fritz was a good boy who lived a fabulous, pampered and somewhat spoiled life. We all should be so lucky to have a life like his. 

He learned at a young age how to milk extra treats out of my folks and how to get laughs at a party by “singing” along with my mother playing the piano. He followed my mother around the house and loved nothing more than sitting next to my dad with his paw touching dad’s arm. He wanted to always know where they were and he was happiest when they all were in the same room. Life was perfect if he had me there with them too. 

He looked at both my parents with unbridled joy and admiration.

Fritz was a tiny guy when we brought him home. He was a birthday gift for my dad and a surprise at that. My mother and I found a woman advertising German Shepherd pups back in 2011. He was the runt with an injured tail who was the first to greet us out of a large litter running around the yard. I still liken the owner to Cruella de Vil because she was kind of mean to this poor little pup and I felt he needed rescuing. 

On that night, we never envisioned the day that his poor, arthritic body could no longer hold itself up. But that day came and his condition was so dire there was no doubt that the time had come. Anything less than mercy would be cruel.

I’ll never understand people who say a pet is just an animal. They clearly have never opened their home or their heart to an animal to the degree that a pet can become family. 

And I pity those people. 

I also pity my parents right now. Their house is quiet and still strewn with reminders of their best big boy. Despite all the love and affection, the treats and his favorite iced oatmeal cookies, all the toys and the ear scratches, there was no way to save him. 

And let me tell you something. If love could have saved him, our Fritz would have lived forever. 

I hate goodbyes so I’ll just say see ya later to my little brother from another mother. He will be missed more than he could ever know.