Lessons from Dead Dogs

Yes. The title is crass. It seems disrespectful.  It is not intended to be.  I am crass.  I seem disrespectful. Most times I do not intend to be.  I am a collective work.  All the creatures that have entered my life have an impact on me; whether they belonged to another, were fostered by me, or graced my personal space and life.  The lessons and impacts from these creatures seem more profound to me than the humans that are supposed to mold and change me.

FIONA.  I needed your grace to find my own. I learned that despite my outsides, my insides are more beautiful than anyone could ever imagine.  When I imagined my life, I never saw it this way.  When you imagined your life, you always saw me—even before you met me.  In your death I found strength to move forward.  I found there can be beauty even in death; if only we can accept that we are not finished and we are yet to “be”.

BRUIN.  There is hatred and terrible, gripping, fear within this World. I feel your strength daily sweet bear, but often forget to acknowledge it. I must never, ever, be caught up with the hatred that swirls around me as there are those who thrive on consuming me.  When I feel oppression and depression, I must push out bad energy with heavy paws.  When in doubt, always trust a Bumble.

ABBY.  The World is filled with discarded beauty.  That which is faded is still beautiful. I might need to polish it.  I might need to clean the dust off of it.  And I might need to make decisions for someone else that they cannot make. Those who cross my path were meant to cross my path.  If I can let each of those beings feel love or contentment at my hands, I can leave this World.  Your presence was a source of immense comfort to me, just as I know my arms around you in death were to you.

TUCKER.  Just as I realized my purpose in this life you left me.  And you left me JUST AS I REALIZED MY PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE. You taught me that I can still give and not give all that is inside of me.  If I give all that is inside of me I can have nothing left for myself.  You were not “aggressive”—you merely understood the critical nature of saving something for those who needed it.  You loved without restriction, but respect was earned.  I am here to bridge.  I am here to transition.  I am here because there are those souls that will need me before they can move on—for some that will be way too short of a time.  Every part of my body and mind misses you.  But I am forever awed that you chose me to share your truths.  I will never disappoint you.

This list will continue to grow.  I will, therefore, continue to grow.  If I am to honor my teachers, I must move onward.  One day I will be part of someone else's blog.