Letting Go

~ humoringthegoddess

Some sad reflections today.

My dog of 13 years passed away yesterday.

Now I’m not telling you this to wring out sympathy or other reactions. The reason I share this with you is that whenever someone or some thing close to you is taken away, there is a little piece of you that leaves with them.

Worse than that for me, though, is that sudden, albeit unwanted, connection with my own mortality.

I know a dog is only an animal. They don’t think and reason like we do (although sometimes I beg to differ). But Dickens’ passing makes me think of those I have loved who have passed before, and those who will pass in the future.

And my own passing.

I have to admit something. Many people find solace in religion. That there is an afterlife, a heaven, a chance to be reunited with loved ones. They believe this fully and adamantly.

I’m not one of those people.

I look for signs of those I love who are in the afterlife, but I always come up empty. In my heart I feel my mother or father or brother with me, but common sense says it’s nothing more than an emotional overload. Wanting is getting. I hope to be proved wrong in the end…that the guardian of the afterlife will chuckle and say “I told you so.”

Dickens had 13 great years. She fetched, she went swimming in the lake, she went on walks with me.We buried her in our field (I live on a hill surrounded by wild fields) with her mom, her bfdf Rennie, and my cat. In my selfish dreams I see all of them running around through the fields, sleeping, eating, climbing and swimming together.

I see her with all the dogs and cats I have lost during my lifetime. How are they all together, when they didn’t even know each other in this life?

My love, my spirit, connects them all.

I believe the same is true for human beings. Our love, our spirit, is what connects us. Whether on this side of the cosmic divide or the other. Whether we live in Australia or California or Midwest Wisconsin. Sometimes that string that connects us is pulled, and we all feel unified, if only for a moment.

Keep that string connected, my friends. It doesn’t matter what’s on the other side — that will be decided for all of us in due time. It’s what we share today and tomorrow and every day we are able to see the sunrise that counts.

Have fun, Dickens. See ya ‘all when the time comes.

 

 

Published by humoringthegoddess

I am a writer of fantasy fiction that often surrounds middle-aged women. I am a married mother of two and granny to three, a BoHo Chic kinda gal. I am recently retired and busier than when I worked 9-5. But writing and blogging is my main game.

35 thoughts on “Letting Go”

  2. My heart goes out to you. I am sorry for your loss. But remember – “Only havers can be losers” – so you were blessed to have her – and she was blessed to have you and your love. That love will last into eternity. We are enriched by every human, every animal, every worthy thing we love. Bless you for loving! ❤️👍🏽

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  3. Thank you. Rennie was 14 years old; I try not to think of life’s implications of that, but you know how your mind wanders. I try not to get too maudlin either, for you know what happens there. We should all honor our friends and pets…life’s too short not to.

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  12. I never heard of that. Please try agin… just add your email address in subscribe box. If you prefer rss, I’ll check when I get home tonight and re-install it

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  13. This is what it says when I go to sign up: THANKS..you’ll get an email to confirm your sub. If you don’t get it please contact us. I notice you’re not in my reader feed — and there’s no way to comment either. And you know me and comments….

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  17. Yes they are, my friend. I truly believe our pets make us better humans. And with all the hatred flowing around the world we need to learn a thing or two from those we call pets. Just love. Don’t judge. Plus eat, play, and go to the bathroom where we’re supposed to. Hugs.

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  18. Wishing you peace and great memories.. we lost our beautiful Buster just last April, after 11 years of love and cuddles… He was a beautiful Shih Tzu, who was definitely part of the family and our hearts. It takes time to come to terms with a much loved pet, just as it does any other member of the family. We never let go, with people or pets, they are part of life’s tapestry.

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  20. “i’m not one of those people” either, but like you, I believe in our spiritual existence. Sending you comforting hugs and bests wishes. It’s good to be reminded of our fragile mortality, and maybe help us enjoy all our precious moment ahead. Keep treasuring Dickens wonderful memories.

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  23. I know, good friend. I will tell you a story. When my favorite cat Jasmine passed away two years ago, I was heartbroken. She was old, it was her time, etc. But something told me to wait to get a new kitten. That she would tell me the right time to go find a newbie, and it had to be a gray cat. I waited until I got her “message”, and I now have a lovey dovey grey cat that may or may not be her sweet soul. So I do believe in reincarnation…a little…

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  24. You know I read every one of your blogs. It’s my own mortality that depresses me — not in a “I can’t work or live” way but a “damn isn’t there another way?” way. Dogs love completely and without prejudice. What lessons we humans could learn from them. And I do believe in those “cosmic” connections too — often I start out one way and wind up letting someone else’s blog influence me and take me in a totally different path. Hugs.

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  29. Claudia, I am sad and sorry you’ve lost Dickens. I know how it is, I recently lost a kitty, as you know. Animals are friends as much as humans are, though in differing ways. You’ve written a lovely tribute to your dog. Remembering and holding to those memories is the only way I know to find comfort. Hugs xxxxx

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  30. Pingback: Bet With The House | Mitigating Chaos

  31. Oh Claudia ! so sorry to hear ! I know what it feels like !! But I am sure you gave him a good life ! And unlike you I do believe in life after death even if I am not religious. I wish you lots of good courage. In time you’ll have happy memories of him and he’ll be in your heart forever.

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  32. She was a pretty girl and may her memory be eternal. I have often heard it said that if dogs don’t go to Heaven, I’d just as soon not go myself. Dogs are much more than just animals and we should be careful about trying to intellectualize emotions….Grief is the emotional, not intellectual, response to loss.

    Yes, even those “little deaths” are coming attractions for us and cause us to realize we are closer to our own deaths today than we were yesterday. I was in the middle of writing a blog post about something I learned today, which actually makes your blog another coincidence. I will complete it and I hope you will read it later.

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  33. We just got a dog a year ago after not having one for 35 years. I have become so attached to her and will miss her so much if anything happened to her. So I understand how you must feel. A well-thought-out post.

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  35. Claudia, your post is so warm and touching. I’m sure Dickens, wherever he is, is enormously grateful to have spent this lifetime with you.
    I disagree with you when you say “I know a dog is only an animal.” I have a dog and he is like family to me. Also, I do volunteer work with my dog with people suffering from Alzheimer and those who have psychiatric problems. A dog is a great comfort to these people who are so often lonely. Besides, don’t forget the saying: A dog is man’s best friend!.
    Watch for Dickens in your sunrises. xxx

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