Have you noticed lately, more and more of our animal companions are being called back home, leaving this earth plane and crossing over the rainbow bridge?
While it is comforting to know our loved ones, who are restored to perfect health, will be waiting for us on the grassy meadow, it can be heartbreaking and grief inducing, for those of us who are left behind.
I have found it comforting to take time to reflect on a life well lived, a friendship, nay, a love, which has been cultivated and cherished. It does both souls good to remember your loved one(s) in a written eulogy. This cathartic act of expression helps to ground me as I slog through my period of grief.
Our first dog, Buddy, was the apple of our eye. He fought the good fight with cancer, yet it eventually wore him down. When he departed we were devastated and rudderless.
I turned to eulogizing him and in doing so, I was not only reminded of the love we shared, but more grateful and less grief-filled. Below is the eulogy I wrote 15 years ago remembering our first dog, our deeply beloved corgi, Buddy.
All Good Dogs Go To Heaven
If “all good dogs go to heaven” and all dogs are good; then heaven is overflowing with dogs…and cats…and a plethora of other animal companions. Good for all of us, I say. Let’s look forward to the day when we are reunited with our animal companions.
Our beloved corgi; Buddynwolf Rowan Crowfeather, most affectionately known as Buddy, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Mother’s Day. We had shared (almost) 15 years together. His passing was unexpected. We were not ready. But then again, when is anyone ever ready to be left behind? Buddy fought the good fight and survived his bout with cancer last year, gracing and blessing us with an additional 14 months of pure joy, delight and unconditional love. Buddy truly lived every moment he was alive!
Buddy was a great teacher. I vow to uphold and share the lessons he has taught us, (and I do believe he will continue to teach us from a distance). He taught us how to love without judgment and without conditions. One of his closet sidekicks and trusted confidantes was Toka, a cat. Opposites do attract and their love was priceless. Buddy showed us how to find joy and happiness in every moment. He would delight in rolling in the snow and never ever became dismayed because it was raining. He loved to share his life and his possessions and never complained when his (new) canine companion Charlotte ‘stole’ his favorite treat… sure he grumbled for a moment, but he let go and moved on. He taught us how to forgive and how to be happy, despite whatever obstacles we were faced with. Having short legs (he didn’t know he wasn’t a wolf) he would be confronted with challenges while ‘out and about’ on a trail, however, he simply chose another route, another way around things. And he taught us to find the answers deep within our hearts and souls. He chose love.
Those of you who have had to let go of a dearly beloved animal companion, are more than likely remembering your life with that great animal as you read my words. You may feel my pain and grief in your heart and there is knowingness that we are not alone.
Animal companions have presented themselves during readings so I know heaven is full of our friends and I find comfort in that knowing. June 2009
As we go forth remembering our pack, please know they are always with us. You may want to do your best to allow your grief to transform you to a different place in time, as you relish the thought of the freedom, fun and abundance of love which awaits all of us just over the rainbow bridge.
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