Did you know that under the law pets are seen as replaceable property? That’s right, the law essentially treats losing a pet the same way as losing a table. In honor of Chloe the Mini Frenchie, Loni Edwards’ beloved dog who passed away due to medical error, PetInsider will be featuring a story every Wednesday about pets being family, not property. Please join us by reading the stories and signing the pledge we created with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to push for change.
Have you ever felt like your life was just not going well? Your marriage was heading into a painful divorce and you just felt, well, alone? That happened to me. After a few years of a terrible marriage, I had this little guy right next to me, Hambone, to the end and beyond. It may sound like a dramatic cliche, but until you have gone through it with a pet, you just can’t describe the bond and connection that develops between man and creature.
Family. Hambone was my kid, my parent, my soulmate. I cared for him like a child that needed to be played with and nurtured. I hugged him when I needed to feel safe. I was once told, by my super trusted vet, that pets are your children then they mature into your parent. It was mind-blowing to hear this. He passed away after fighting a year of back surgery recovery at the grand ole age of 18! And at the last moment, he let us know that it was time to go. Goodbye, my sweetie man. My first pet was the best relationship I had in 18 consistent years.
Today, we have Cupcake, Wolfgang and lil Angus. Our home is always bustling, yet always in sync. Our pack, me, my best husband, and the three, ramble through our home, room to room, always together, like a true family of bright personalities and unique roles. Not a day goes by without emotional connecting and bonding with these guys, these furbabies.
Cupcake keeps everyone in line, but likes to play around when she wants to, but only if she wants to! Bossy, like a mother hen, but the kid sister who tattle tales on everyone. She’s the furry ball of love and is always next to my side!
Wolfgang has slightly taken the Hambone role, protector of the pack, but will lay on his back in an instant to any new friend at the park. He really stepped up with our new pup, Angus, by gently wrestling and play fighting like a dad, but quickly being the BFF and cuddle bromancer. He showed Angus how to scout the mean squirrel in the backyard!
Angus is the pup! That kid brother who always gets into trouble by biting big sis Cupcake’s momo fur or taunting us by placing his wet toy on our laps! He’s the prince of fetch! Angus is also the group rallyer, calling attention to everything, “Hey guys! The door is open!” or “It’s time to eat! Hurry up!” We’re looking forward to his evolving role to see where he lands in the pack.
My husband and I would do ANYTHING for these guys. Call us dog people. Call us weird. But don’t call us anything but FAMILY!
Please join us in pushing for much needed change by signing and sharing the pledge (https://aldf.org/animalsnotproperty). Follow along every Wednesday for a new story, and sign up for our newsletter to receive it in your inbox.
Become an Insider
