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Archive for February 2nd, 2010

Loss is a funny thing. If you think about it just the word is kind of funny sounding. Yet when you do loose something, there comes with it a sense of emotional attachment. Even if it is something we wanted to loose, we still generally feel some kind of strong emotion attached to the loss its self.

When we loose something that is actually near and or dear to us the loss can often become even more profound. Some think that the loss of a human life means more than the loss of an animal life, yet in my experience life is a life. I am used to putting animals down, seeing them put down and even assisting with the injection. So for me the feeling attached with the life of an animal is somewhat dulled. Some have said that that is how it should be with regards to animals, yet I want my readers to consider this… Nursing home employees, ER nurses, and cancer patient caregivers… these too are people who’s nerves have dulled somewhat to death. And their experiences are all with people, human beings.

I want you to sit back and consider this… life only has the value we place on it. If that sentiment rings true with you at all you will appreciate the story below, if your still not convinced, please, continue to read the story below and I will attempt to validate my argument.

In the case of Officer Justin Patterson and his partner Officer Bosco the loss of life is likely to be more profound than any simple pet owner. Not only does Officer Patterson see his furry friend at the end of a long work day, but he is also his work partner. So, not only did the two of them share meals and potty breaks. They also relied on each other for safety, for duty and for friendship. Each day the two of them woke up and prepared for another day of work together. They shared the rewards and pitfalls that surround the life of a police officer.

The life of a police officer is wrought with stress, when and officer looses a partner they are often required to see a grief councilor, but what happens if that partner is a K9? When your partner is a human they go their separate ways after a shift ends. They often have their own families, their own stressors and their own lives. Yet when that partner is a K9 officer there is no separation. That partner goes home with you after a long day at work. They lay on your lap while you watch television and they play ball with your children in the back yard.

When you consider the loss of a partner of any kind, be they two or four legged the pain can be quiet real and the anger fairly profound. Loss, while it may be a funny sounding word all alone, it still brings with it reminders, memories of the things we have lost. And when that which you have lost is never far from your side it can be basically the same thing as loosing a part of yourself.

In loving memory of Bosco,