21 Comments
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Kimberly Warner's avatar

So beautiful. And now I understand…what perfect sense it makes to grieve/imagine while the loving hearts are still here to comfort us. I will never forget this.

“But this is the only way I know to prepare—

to touch that monstrous fog from

the safety of your presence, “

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Kate Mapother's avatar

Thank you- this comment means a lot.

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Ally Hamilton's avatar

I rehearse for the loss of my dog in 10 second intervals. That’s all I can take. But I understand this poem in my bones and Chewy and I send massive amounts of love to you and Riggs 💕

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Kate Mapother's avatar

Dogs forever ❤️ Riggs and I send love right back.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

I wish you both years of fun. My dog will leave us soon, and the thought of life without him is a boulder on my heart.

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Kate Mapother's avatar

I’m so sorry. It’s one of the hardest things we’re asked to do, letting them go. Wishing you comfort however you can find it.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

when a beloved dog dies, the part f you who finally understand unconditonal love and infinite patience, the best part of you dies with it. That's partly whait's so damned hard.

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Kate Mapother's avatar

So hard. I’m not looking forward to that day, and I’m doing my best to make all the rest I have with him really really good ones.

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

But the two of you are so very lucky to have each other.. I've lost dogs over the years. There are the ones you love, and then there are the ones you fall in love with. Those are the hardest to lose, although it's strange to say it. Tough. Tough to get thriugh it. Make the most ot the time you have. Sounds like a greeting card, and you already know it. He will know. He already knows.

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Kate Mapother's avatar

We are so lucky. I’d be so alone without him. And you’re right, there are the ones you fall in life with and he’s the dog love of my life. I loved the others too, but it’s different with him. We are so lucky to have dogs

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Abigail Thomas's avatar

couldn't make it without them.

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Linda Epstein's avatar

Yes. Mine was an 80 lb labradoodle named Ruby. She got me. I still miss her. (Don’t tell my current companion, Gertie, though. Although she’s a bundle of joy, she just wouldn’t understand.)

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Kate Mapother's avatar

🤐

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Wendy Varley's avatar

We are in tune, having existential thoughts about our beloved dogs this week, Kate! Riggs looks soooo happy in that river. Wonderful tribute to him.

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Kate Mapother's avatar

They’re just so good. Life without dogs would be unbearable 💛

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Wendy Varley's avatar

True. I wrote about our Superdog after my granddaughter asked me when he would die (he is 12). Trust a six-year old to ask an existential question.

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Joanie Madsen's avatar

Dear Riggs… Always treasure hunting. I understand what you are describing about that one dog that inhabits our soul. I have mine, Zuke, who is 14. I am trying to absorb him into my marrow. You have helped me name this season I am in with him. My gratitude. 🐾💜🐾

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Kate Mapother's avatar

Hugs for Zuke ❤️

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Mothsdance's avatar

I...damnit.

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Robert Wallis's avatar

Dogs are the best of us. In the course of our evolutionary growth as a species, as a planet, stumbling towards healing and enlightenment and oneness, dogs are a constant reminder that love conquers all. Someone has said that one of the reasons dogs are here is to teach us how to die, to walk towards it with unconditional love for those of us privileged to be with them, to let us know there is nothing to fear. Their love is fathomless and absolute. What a privilege to be with them. To paraphrase what someone else wrote somewhere about their rescue dog, pretty sure the rescuer was not the human.

I love all nature and am blown away every day by the beauty and love that surrounds me, but there is a unique niche of love that only dogs inhabit.

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Jim Mapother's avatar

We put Avery (David’s dog)down yesterday . We didn’t prepare even though we knew his life was coming to an end. It was the same as preparing for David’s death. Even when he was laying in the hospital bed I couldn’t prepare myself for his death. Your way might be better maybe we will be able to figure it out someday.

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