My quick 0.02
Seeing pictures of dogs being abondoned in New Orleans hit me and my wife harder than most footage of the people...I don't know why but it did.
Probably the hardest thing I have gone through was euthanizing a pet...why it was harder than family and friends who have passed on I don't know.
Maybe it is b/c animals are provide 'unconditional' affection and companionship....
Tuff topic Cow
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JustEsteban