Saturday, 8 June 2013: Sixty-Eight Days Old.

I’m a big believer in pets being an important part of childhood; they teach us about responsibility, boundaries, unconditional love and loss.

But knowing what it’s like to lose a pet doesn’t make it any easier when you get older.

Last night our beloved “Cat Cat” escaped and we don’t think she’ll be coming home….

Already, after just one day without her, our house feels empty. To us, Cat Cat was more than just a pet – she was family.

It’s a tough lesson and one that Ayla will have to learn one day.

Ayla’s pets will be her friends, her confidants and her adventure buddies but one day, after she’s raised them, trained them and loved them with all her heart the time will come to say goodbye.