Pets are an integral part of many people's lives, and the loss of a pet can be devasting. A co-worker and friend lost his beloved bulldog, and many people, especially those who aren't owned by a canine or feline, had a hard time understanding the depth of his grief. I have been owned by many canines and felines, but two have a very special place in my heart. The first is Samantha Jane, a Siamese who came to live with us as a kitten when I was around nine or ten. I selected her, and it was very clear to everyone that she was my cat. After she passed, my mother had an artist paint a picture of her from one of my many photos of her, and it hangs on a wall in my house to this day. The second is Remix, a Sheltie who passed right after Hurricane Dorian in 2019. He was the first dog the boys actually selected, and they named him after the soft drink, Sprite Remix, which was one of their favortie sodas at the time. Everyone who ever met him fell in love with him because of his loving and "chill" personality. He is the only pet that I have ever had cremated, and his ashes sit in a prominent location in my living room.
Thank you, Annie, for such a helpful essay. When Aki died, something that comforted me was that a friend contributed to the local animal shelter in his honor. The shelter sent a card to inform me. Since then, whenever a friend's animal companion dies, I do the same.
What a GREAT idea, Judith! Thank you for passing it along. Aki was such a special dog. I still tell stories about those zoomies he would abruptly tear into on his walks.
Another beautiful post. Thank you, Anne. I have a very elderly dog that I'm planning to write about this week and I try not to think about what life will be like without him, but he's 17 and I know he can't live forever. I will definitely check out these resources and I love the A.A. Milne quote.
Thank you, Hilary. A member of our community passed along an absolutely wonderful cartoon that he sent a friend. I hope to figure out how to share it soon. I am thinking of you and your dog. When I was gifted my one and only dog, when he was 6, I was horrified to learn that large dogs don't typically live far into their teens - some of my cats had made it close to 20, and I'd gotten spoiled. Seventeen is s good run.
Loss is loss. Love is love. You've shown how to honor that in a simple way that will always be treated by the person who has lost a companion. Thank you.
Pets are an integral part of many people's lives, and the loss of a pet can be devasting. A co-worker and friend lost his beloved bulldog, and many people, especially those who aren't owned by a canine or feline, had a hard time understanding the depth of his grief. I have been owned by many canines and felines, but two have a very special place in my heart. The first is Samantha Jane, a Siamese who came to live with us as a kitten when I was around nine or ten. I selected her, and it was very clear to everyone that she was my cat. After she passed, my mother had an artist paint a picture of her from one of my many photos of her, and it hangs on a wall in my house to this day. The second is Remix, a Sheltie who passed right after Hurricane Dorian in 2019. He was the first dog the boys actually selected, and they named him after the soft drink, Sprite Remix, which was one of their favortie sodas at the time. Everyone who ever met him fell in love with him because of his loving and "chill" personality. He is the only pet that I have ever had cremated, and his ashes sit in a prominent location in my living room.
Oh my what great stories... and what great names! Such a creative family. Thank you for sharing this with our community, Jodie.
Thank you, Annie, for such a helpful essay. When Aki died, something that comforted me was that a friend contributed to the local animal shelter in his honor. The shelter sent a card to inform me. Since then, whenever a friend's animal companion dies, I do the same.
What a GREAT idea, Judith! Thank you for passing it along. Aki was such a special dog. I still tell stories about those zoomies he would abruptly tear into on his walks.
Another beautiful post. Thank you, Anne. I have a very elderly dog that I'm planning to write about this week and I try not to think about what life will be like without him, but he's 17 and I know he can't live forever. I will definitely check out these resources and I love the A.A. Milne quote.
Thank you, Hilary. A member of our community passed along an absolutely wonderful cartoon that he sent a friend. I hope to figure out how to share it soon. I am thinking of you and your dog. When I was gifted my one and only dog, when he was 6, I was horrified to learn that large dogs don't typically live far into their teens - some of my cats had made it close to 20, and I'd gotten spoiled. Seventeen is s good run.
Thanks, Annie for sharing this. You are so relatable. Sadly....
Kathryn
Sadly indeed.
Loss is loss. Love is love. You've shown how to honor that in a simple way that will always be treated by the person who has lost a companion. Thank you.
Thank you, Elizabeth.