I will never get over the fact that my parents put our family dog down without letting me say goodbye. We’d had the dog since I was a baby. He wasn’t doing well - I slept with him on his bed the night before - so they were taking him to the vet. I asked if I could stay home from school and go with them. They refused but promised they wouldn’t euthanize him. I came home from school and 45 mins later they got home carrying my dead dog (buried him on our property).

20 years later and it still upsets me that I didn’t get to say goodbye. I was mad that morning that my parents were making me go to school. I left in a huff without saying goodbye to him. I’ve found solace knowing my dog knew I loved him. But I’ve never forgiven my parents for not allowing me to say goodbye. That shit stays with a person.