Thestrals

Herself speaks.

Yesterday, the pet bunny of Offspring the First and her husband -- an aged and infirm lagomorph -- went to meet his Maker. Alas.

As I thought about Offspring the First and her bunny, I also thought about the Harry Potter books and about the thestrals. Only those who have "seen death" can see the thestrals. What does it mean, to see death? Does it mean, to see a dead body? To watch as someone's life force expires? Must it be violent, or can it be a natural death? Can it be a pet or an animal, or must it be a human being? So many questions.

We see so little death now, compared to days of yore. It's important not to be frightened of that end-of-life point: sometimes, the best we can do for someone -- especially a beloved pet -- is to be with them, and witness them as they Cross Over. It changes the heart (though not in a bad way). Perhaps it really does help us to see things a bit differently.

Godspeed, Milo, and thank you for your time with us.