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Gala Vanting's avatar

I have no idea how the algo led me here today but sometimes it does its magic and for that I’m grateful. Today is my year mark for my bestie Kevin. There’s a lot of resonance for me in how you describe your experience. It was perfect to be at home with her as she died, to keep her with me until I was able to let her go. Plants and fire and smoke and soothing sounds and warmth. It’s such a privilege to give an animal this experience of death.

I was that bitch calling the pet crematorium 50 times with all of the needs and changes and urgencies and they were absolute angels. Running down to the pyres to ask them not to pulverise her bones. I now have her whole vertebrae on my altars, it was worth it. They’re exquisite.

Thank you for sharing this, I really appreciated being prompted by some benevolent digital god to read it today as I sit with her in the same ways I did exactly 52 weeks ago, just without her body to anchor to. I wish you so much love and joy as you allow and dance with your grief. It alters your chemistry completely for the better. At least it did for me.

Lucy Norton's avatar

thank you so much for sharing this. it is such a privilege to be there with them in their final moments and do it in a way that honours everyone. i’m glad you got to experience the companionship you did, she sounds so special. we are lucky.

i also had no idea you could request the bones?! that is so beautiful, and something i will remember for when i end up doing pet doula work.

it definitely has altered me, to lose someone who was with me for so long and practically all of the time. i know once i’m through the immense haze of new grief i will be able to see just how. thank you for receiving this and sending such kindness my way. i’m sending a lot of love and gratitude to you x

Alice Douglass Skye's avatar

Crying as I read this. Such a painful decision to make but so full of love. Thank you for sharing sis. What a beautiful boy x

Lucy Norton's avatar

thank you my beautiful sis. sending love to both our sweet old boys in the sky x

Anna M's avatar

Such a lovely tribute. I teared up at the line “because I actually did not want to find the right flowers to lay beside your body. I did not want you to die.” I loved the line about the dingo bones too. You write about Ike and love and grief in such a raw, honest, beautiful way. Sending so much love 🌻

Lucy Norton's avatar

you are so kind Anna, appreciate you very much. sending all the love back to ya x

taylah's avatar

this was so beautiful :,) he is resting well now, i’m sure of it.

Lucy Norton's avatar

i think so too <3 thank you for your kindness x

J Sto's avatar

Thank you so so so much for this. I am only just over seven months out from losing my angel, my companion and best friend of over 11 years. It is devastating and not often do I get to see/read an example of the kind of love and relationship we shared. Thank you. Deeply, from the bottom of my soul, and from my Clementine - thank you.

LM's avatar

This is beautiful writing...as a grateful companion to 2 incredible dogs right now, one of whom is 13 and an elder, your piece touched my heart. Thank you.

rebechka's avatar

thank you thank you. my light, my Northstar went out on monday. he was eight. I needed to read and to feel these words.

Jen's avatar

Thank you so much for this. I lost both of my dogs last spring/earltly summer and am still grieving. Much love to you ❤️