School kids create heartfelt tribute for neighborhood furry friend who was more than than just a dog
For adults, it's relatively easy to deal with grief, especially after losing someone, because they understand death in ways that children can't even comprehend. The sudden absence of someone and the unbearable loneliness that it brings along kill them from the inside, leaving a lifelong void in their lives. Unable to cope with the unimaginable pain, while many slip into a quiet solitude, only a few find comfort in relishing memories of their loved ones. A similar instance highlighting this sheer reality was witnessed in Murray, Utah, when a group of school kids honored their friendly neighborhood dog, whose presence had become a source of joy for the children.
As reported by Fox 13 News Utah, Torren, a ten-year-old Great Pyrenees, had befriended the students of the Longview Elementary School, which bordered his owner's backyard. Every day, the children would visit him through the fence, and needless to say, their bond grew with time. "All the kids would just come and say hi to him every day, and they would just stop by and say hi," Chris Holfetz, Torren's owner, shared. His presence became a constant source of comfort, and it's safe to say that Torren immediately became their unofficial therapy dog, offering tranquility without saying a word. Everything was picture-perfect until the dog's family had to make the most heartbreaking decision of euthanizing him. Torren went through a hard time, recovering from a failing kidney. So to end his sufferings, his parents decided to put him to sleep.
Soon after his demise, Torren's owner left a sign at their backyard gate, informing the children about their favorite animal companion. Shortly after that, they started receiving flowers and heartfelt notes from the children, all honoring their adorable furry friend. "I will always remember you," wrote a child, while another said, "You mean so much to me." Though Torren wasn't directly related to kids, as in, he wasn't their pet, but the pup was definitely a huge part of their lives. This, perhaps, explains why they were so disturbed when Torren passed away.
"We just want to say thank you. Thank you for showing our dog so much love, so much support, and yeah, it was really cool to see," Mikala said, to which her dear husband added, "Thanks for always coming by to say hi to him because he loved it," Chris added. "That was his favorite thing: saying hi to everybody." Moreover, realizing what Torren meant to the kids, their school even sent a note to the dog's parents, letting them know Torren's death had severely impacted the children. "What was really sweet is when we came out when the bell rang and the entire school just swarmed by, coming from all angles, coming running just to say goodbye," Mikala shared with the outlet.
Talking about children, especially those who experience the loss of a beloved pet, a shocking report by The Harvard Gazette says that the death of a family pet can trigger a profound and prolonged grief. Further, the report said, it can lead to mental health issues, as per a study at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)."