I dislike unpleasant surprises..

[Teuthida]

I grew up with a dog my parents had since before I was born. She died when I was 15. Felt so empty and weird. Never before had I been in my house without my dog being there. Was such a sad end too...she went deaf...had arthritis...and actually began to 'rot' while she was alive...flies would try to eat her ears...had to be put to sleep...

Then such as in your case my budgie got sick and was going to take him to the vet the next day...but he died before I woke up. A chunk of myself died. He was more a part of me than a pet. More like an extension of myself. And then I had to bury him. Ripping up roots in my yard for hours just to get a hole deep enough. He died right before I went to college. I'm sure he would have just became more bitter and depressed without me being there...would bite anyone but me...I miss the little guy.