ATLANTA — The loss of a furry companion can be hard to cope with, but for one kid from Georgia, a surprise Christmas present put him on the path to healing.
Leida Andersen, of Atlanta, said her family lost their “sweet Rocky” to old age last November, a dog that her son basically grew up with. Her 13-year-old son begged and begged for a puppy for Christmas, and although she relented at first, the decision to surprise him with one prompted a lot of emotion.
Isn’t that a relatable response to meeting a new pet for the first time?
According to the video description, Andersen said she’ll “never forget” her son’s tearful response to the new pup. At first, Andersen said she couldn’t imagine loving another dog after old Rocky’s passing, but as the video shows, new memories were made in an instant.
What have been some emotional moments you’ve shared with family and a pet? This summer, I nearly lost my 8-year-old cat to a serious health scare. When I thought he wasn’t going to make it, all of the great memories filled my mind, and I couldn’t help but get emotional.
He survived, though, and is as chirpy as before. The health scare really made me appreciate him more, and now, it’s hard not to shower him with the treats he loves — even if it’s against the vet’s orders.
Andersen’s son and his new pup put a picture in the bond that humans and animals can share. Sometimes the connection with a pet can be the purest one we’ll have.