A pet may symbolize a child, best friend or long-term companion. They become a part of your family and daily life. A pet owner’s worst fear is losing a beloved companion. For those who have experienced this loss, there is usually a poignant story to share about a cherished dog or cat’s passing. From one pet owner to another, we understand the intense pain and emptiness that occurs after this loss. There is no correct way to grieve and work through this process, as everyone walks down a different journey with a pet.
Here is a heart wrenching story of death of a beloved dog. His loss became a courage and will power for the owner. This man decided to deal with his loss in the most unusual way. Steve Grieg, an accountant from Colorado, United States was extremely sad about his dog. He decided to adopt the pets who are rejected and not in good condition. During weekends, Grieg’s schedule is filled with visits to the vet or grooming appointment depending on the needs of each of the animals.
“I was just so distraught about [that death],” Greig told. “A month or two went by and I still felt so horrible about it. I decided that the only way I would feel better was if something good happened that probably wouldn’t have happened if he had not died.”
When his beloved dog passed away, he then decided to visit an animal shelter and adopted the “least adoptable” dog.
To him, even if his dog had passed away, he still had another chance to give another dog a better life.
“So [I adopted] a 12-year-old Chihuahua [named Eeyore] with a heart murmur and four bad knees and I brought him home and that was just the beginning of all the animals,” Greig said.
Now he is raising 10 senior dogs, a pig named Bikini, two chicken, two ducks, two pigeons, several cats, a rabbit and a pond full of koi fish.
His has a full house of several species means that Greig’s daily routine normally starts early in the morning in order to feed them.
“A normal day for me is getting up at 5 a.m. in the morning and making breakfast for all of them, which, you know, there’s 10 [dogs] and most of them have different diets,” he said.
After making breakfast for him and the animals, he will attend to the senior dogs who have health problems to give them their medication.
After that, he will go to work but return at lunchtime to give the animals some treats as well as to let them out.
While he is the owner of ten animals at home, Greig said that he plans to adopt more as the older ones pass on.
“They just make it feel like home. It’s just fulfilling knowing that these guys are happy and loved and well taken care of. It makes my days worthwhile.”
