Tag Archives: mourning

One year on

Posted on December 27, 2022 | 1 comment

Today is the anniversary of Izzy’s passing; I have been dreading the approaching holiday season knowing that this time in 2021, her health was failing and our time together was running out.

She departed on a day very similar in weather as today, overcast with some rain. The hardest part of opening your heart to a dog is knowing that the day will come to say ‘goodbye.’

I am building a new relationship with Sox, who arrived in March of this year. Still, I feel her loss.

You no longer greet me

As I walk through the door.

You’re not there to make me smile

To make me laugh anymore

Life seems quiet without you.

You were far more than a pet.

You were a family member, a friend

…a loving soul I’ll never forget.

It will take time to heal.

For the silence to go away.

I still listen for you

And miss you every day.

You were such a great companion

Constant, loyal and true.

My heart will always wear

The paw prints left by you.

Poem by Teri Harrison

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs, dogs and mourning

Tagged grief, mourning

Mourning a pet isn’t what it used to be

Posted on January 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

The role of pets has changed a lot in the last 20 or so years. This change is also reflected in how people mourn when a pet dies. This column, by Monica Collins of The Boston Globe, discusses how mourning for a lost pet is recognized as genuine grief. Well worth reading (just click on the link below)

Mourning a pet isn’t what it used to be – Lifestyle – The Boston Globe

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For a beloved member of the family

Posted on October 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

This column, For a beloved member of the family in memoriam, was written by Bella English, a columnist for The Boston Globe newspaper.

It touches on that special relationship we have with our dogs, and the grief and mourning we experience when they pass.

I hope this item resonates with you as much as it does with me.

Losing a father

Posted on December 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

I have often felt that Daisy and I have a lot in common. She likes purple (in fact, her collar is purple) and so do I. She likes ice cream and so do I. She’s eats red meat – and guess what? – so do I.

Today, however, we have now another thing in common. We have both lost our fathers.

The phone call came through this evening. Shaka was ill this morning and with very low blood pressure. The vet thinks he may have had a tumour that finally overwhelmed his system and she said that he wouldn’t recover. There was really no choice but to put him to sleep.

When I told Daisy about it, she went out in the yard and wouldn’t come in for a while. This was most unusual for her, particularly because it had started to rain and she doesn’t like getting wet. I think she understood but some people will say I am anthropomorphising her behaviour. All I know is that I was upset and, usually, if I am upset then Daisy wants to be at my side. This time, I think she needed some time to herself.

I am grateful that Daisy only saw her Dad two days ago; he was a kennel dog and she was in kennels thanks to a business trip. As it turned out, it was their last chance to play together. I am also grateful that for the better part of the last three years, Daisy was able to visit Shaka every week for day care. Her day care arrangements ceased earlier this year when her day care provider moved farther out of town. Still, she and Shaka saw each other whenever Daisy needed a kennel stay or when I massaged another dog at the kennels.

Shaka was a ‘cool dude’ and I’m certain that Daisy inherited her placid nature from him.

Here are photos taken in 2007, at Daisy’s seventh birthday party. We both think he was a very handsome and distinguished dog.