How to Feel with Animal Loss on the Homestead

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When we began our homestead and we invited living animals onto our farm to meet our needs, we knew these animals weren’t pets. They were livestock and with that there was not only an expectation that they would provide us nourishment and sustenance in some way, but they also were on a lower tier that made them more susceptible to physical hardships like weather, illness, and predators or their main purpose was to give their life to sustain our own. But somewhere along the way, as it most always does, these animals wedge their way into your heart and burrow down into a deep, soft spot. Most of these animals you’ve raised, cared for, and provided for since they were born. It’s near impossible not to find your heartstrings attached. When you lose an animal, it doesn’t matter what kind, it is always hard and it still hurts.