There's a song I cling to in times of grief (In Every Sunflower, by Bell X1) that says "I wouldn't swap the pain for never knowing you." I think we have to believe they're eternal, and that's ok. Magical thinking as sanity saver? I'll take it. We do our very best by them, for as long as we're allowed. And we're so lucky to be able to experience that love. I can't bear to think of losing my little mate, and I'm so sorry you've lost yours, Emily. I do know she loved you as much as you loved her, and isn't that amazing?
The other day I found myself writing all my dear pets’ names in reply to an Instagram post about cats and dogs that you have loved. I’m in my seventies so it’s quite a long list and it took me a few moments to remember one particularly pretty little cat’s name (it was “Biddy”) I like to imagine them all nestled in my heart-I guess it’s a rather crowded! ❤️
I also have a greyhound who is scared of the wind and the sound of rain on the roof. Sometimes I find this frustrating (especially at 2am in the morning!) but this reminds me of how precious he is to us all. Lots of aroha to you and your family.
I’m so sorry Emily. We lost a beloved cat very suddenly and traumatically in 2022, and that grief was the most visceral, ugly thing. The unfairness of it. I cry with you as I read these posts, for you, for Twinkle, for your whanau, and remembering my own darling Princess. So much love to you.
I cried for ages after my cat who I raised from a kitten to 16 was gently put to sleep. But the one I would probably have gone to a pet psychic about was my 4th-hand-adopted cat who I took in when my friends moved overseas, who I lost after only a couple of years to someone speeding up our narrow dead-end street in the middle of the night. I still think about that night. I try to think more about how she used to sleep in my bed, using my arm as a pillow, and how she talked back to me all the time with her meows. All pet losses can be devastating but the traumatic ones are.. well.. traumatic. I think it's important to recognise that we are affected by that as well as our grief. And it can push us to try process it in ways we might not normally consider. So let's give ourselves space and compassion to work through it all <3
And I absolutely know that Twinkle was so loved by you and your whanau, and that *she* knew it. It is evident in every picture and video I have seen of Twinkle, and in your stories about her. And I am sure that every other dog and cat and grumpy rabbit that is no longer with us is looking after Twinkle. My sausage dog will definitely go fight all those plastic bags for her. And my timid cat will give her cuddles and use her long legs as a pillow.
Oh sweet Twinkle. I don't think she's alone. She will be surrounded by all our departed fur babies. And if she's with my first baby she won't be scared or nervous for long because he was a bad ass, tough nut, thought he was a giant Rottweiler, naughty Jack Russell. Our babies will be showing your Twinkle how to watch over you all. Hugs whānau.
Another beautiful, heartbreaking post Emily. Losing your soul dog isn't small fry - it's really big fry. We lost our beautiful Fenella cat suddenly last Monday and the loss and sorrow won't ever go away. I wonder the same things - is she safe, is she being cared for, does she forgive me? I don't know how I know but I just do - the answer is yes ❤️
Each one of our furry whānau have held a special place in our heart's and have left an indelible mark which, when they have departed, has transformed into a kind of welcomed injury that never completely heals.
Certain personalities like our beloved chihuahua brothers who lived 14 and 18 years respectively, still cause my heart to ache just a little when I catch their eye in one of our many treasured photo memories.
It's more than ten years now, since we said goodbye.
Tarzan, named by my then two year old, was the first to depart. To say he broke our hearts is no exaggeration. His fur brother mourned along with us. For almost a year to the day of his death, we would return from a walk and his faithful litter brother would look for Tarzan in all the likely places - beds, sofa....this despite us following all of the suggested protocols both at the time of departure and the months directly after.
I went to aa psychic in my local shopping center after my Dad died. I guess I wanted to know if he was at peace wherever he was. Apparently he was causing around wearing his favorite hat, he never wore hats. The psychic stole a quick look at my face to see if she'd hit the button, she hadn't. She then went on to say he was with loved ones who had passed, which did bring a level of comfort...so...I guess it was money well spent 🙂
There's a song I cling to in times of grief (In Every Sunflower, by Bell X1) that says "I wouldn't swap the pain for never knowing you." I think we have to believe they're eternal, and that's ok. Magical thinking as sanity saver? I'll take it. We do our very best by them, for as long as we're allowed. And we're so lucky to be able to experience that love. I can't bear to think of losing my little mate, and I'm so sorry you've lost yours, Emily. I do know she loved you as much as you loved her, and isn't that amazing?
It is ❤️ and I'm holding onto that ❤️
She is in the place where ears are stroked all the time, and nothing is scary, and there's only a break in the ear stroking for cuddles.
Thank you ❤️
I really don’t think losing a beloved pet is small fry, sure there are worse things but losing a beloved pet is still heart breaking
I agree. I just mean in the context of like genocide, losing your family. It feels huge and small somehow.
That’s it exactly
The other day I found myself writing all my dear pets’ names in reply to an Instagram post about cats and dogs that you have loved. I’m in my seventies so it’s quite a long list and it took me a few moments to remember one particularly pretty little cat’s name (it was “Biddy”) I like to imagine them all nestled in my heart-I guess it’s a rather crowded! ❤️
This is such a sweet comforting idea, thank you for sharing
I also have a greyhound who is scared of the wind and the sound of rain on the roof. Sometimes I find this frustrating (especially at 2am in the morning!) but this reminds me of how precious he is to us all. Lots of aroha to you and your family.
❤️❤️❤️ they can be such nervous dogs!
Forever in our hearts 💕
❤️❤️❤️
Arohanui and big hugs to you and yours. x
Thank you Margie ❤️
I’m so sorry Emily. We lost a beloved cat very suddenly and traumatically in 2022, and that grief was the most visceral, ugly thing. The unfairness of it. I cry with you as I read these posts, for you, for Twinkle, for your whanau, and remembering my own darling Princess. So much love to you.
Thank you for being so open in sharing your grief as it helps me see my experience of grief is not a lonely one 💜
I cried for ages after my cat who I raised from a kitten to 16 was gently put to sleep. But the one I would probably have gone to a pet psychic about was my 4th-hand-adopted cat who I took in when my friends moved overseas, who I lost after only a couple of years to someone speeding up our narrow dead-end street in the middle of the night. I still think about that night. I try to think more about how she used to sleep in my bed, using my arm as a pillow, and how she talked back to me all the time with her meows. All pet losses can be devastating but the traumatic ones are.. well.. traumatic. I think it's important to recognise that we are affected by that as well as our grief. And it can push us to try process it in ways we might not normally consider. So let's give ourselves space and compassion to work through it all <3
And I absolutely know that Twinkle was so loved by you and your whanau, and that *she* knew it. It is evident in every picture and video I have seen of Twinkle, and in your stories about her. And I am sure that every other dog and cat and grumpy rabbit that is no longer with us is looking after Twinkle. My sausage dog will definitely go fight all those plastic bags for her. And my timid cat will give her cuddles and use her long legs as a pillow.
Oh Emily ❤️🩹 this made me tear up. I just loved Twinkle and I didn’t even know her. I’m so glad her family was you!
Oh sweet Twinkle. I don't think she's alone. She will be surrounded by all our departed fur babies. And if she's with my first baby she won't be scared or nervous for long because he was a bad ass, tough nut, thought he was a giant Rottweiler, naughty Jack Russell. Our babies will be showing your Twinkle how to watch over you all. Hugs whānau.
We grieve because we loved. What a lovely home she had with you ❤️
Another beautiful, heartbreaking post Emily. Losing your soul dog isn't small fry - it's really big fry. We lost our beautiful Fenella cat suddenly last Monday and the loss and sorrow won't ever go away. I wonder the same things - is she safe, is she being cared for, does she forgive me? I don't know how I know but I just do - the answer is yes ❤️
Each one of our furry whānau have held a special place in our heart's and have left an indelible mark which, when they have departed, has transformed into a kind of welcomed injury that never completely heals.
Certain personalities like our beloved chihuahua brothers who lived 14 and 18 years respectively, still cause my heart to ache just a little when I catch their eye in one of our many treasured photo memories.
It's more than ten years now, since we said goodbye.
Tarzan, named by my then two year old, was the first to depart. To say he broke our hearts is no exaggeration. His fur brother mourned along with us. For almost a year to the day of his death, we would return from a walk and his faithful litter brother would look for Tarzan in all the likely places - beds, sofa....this despite us following all of the suggested protocols both at the time of departure and the months directly after.
Love hurts. ❤️ And true love lasts a lifetime.
Sending you aroha, Emily.
I went to aa psychic in my local shopping center after my Dad died. I guess I wanted to know if he was at peace wherever he was. Apparently he was causing around wearing his favorite hat, he never wore hats. The psychic stole a quick look at my face to see if she'd hit the button, she hadn't. She then went on to say he was with loved ones who had passed, which did bring a level of comfort...so...I guess it was money well spent 🙂