I am in tears over here. Especially the lines, "I’ll tell you, I will miss being seen, so completely, so constantly, so adoringly. I’d be blessed to be half of the person she thinks I am. I am daily surprised by my level of sadness, learning to live on without that companionship." Exactly how I feel about my dog Nick who died in 2020. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but the pain can return on a dime with the right memory. As the quote goes, I can't do a thing for you. Except send love, which I am.
This is a new (to me) kind of loss. I keep expecting to see her here and there. And I find it difficult not to think about what she is doing and what she needs. Thanks for your loving thoughts.
Beautiful Sienna. Ingrid said it well, vibrancy and affection. And joyful and welcoming and a loving companion. How she will be missed! The photos in this tribute to her are magical. Definitely thinking of you and Busy during this difficult time. I just encountered this Magpie song while looking for something else, and I think it must be for me to share it with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC_JHrwT1oQ These photos, especially the rainbow photo, and the video of Sienna getting the newspaper down all those front stairs are how I will remember sweet Sienna. Sending love to you, Busy, and Sienna.
Thanks, Paula. I am unclear about how to process this strange kind of grief, but it helps to know that her memory will linger on in many minds. I am so glad that you got to meet her, and that she got to meet you.
I thought you said this post wouldn't reduce me to tears. Perhaps, the experience of holding my grandchildren's dog in my arms, while my veterinarian brother-in-law and his veterinarian sister did the necessary work to end the suffering of the dog loved by all of us there, as well as my son, daughter-In-law and grandchildren, who were not there, is still too close. This happened more than 3 years ago, but feels like yesterday. Thank you for your beautiful words.
I suspect the experience will have a similar enduring strength and poignancy. Maybe it's something in that gaze that dogs have -- so present, so nonjudgmental. so eager. Thank you for your reflection.
A poignant, beautiful tribute to a noble dog/friend/companion. I'm grateful that I got to meet Sienna. She really was a steadfast calm presence, part of the family. I'm sending you all my heartfelt condolences on her passing.
So sorry for the pain of parting, Stew. I felt the tug of the same line Lynne Dale pulled out. That's it, all of it, the gift our non-human kin bring to our relationships. Completely seen. Completely accepted. We lost the last of our furry friends three years ago, and I still move in and out of grief for them. Offering the only thing I can to you and yours: compassion.
The photos here are stunning, and I'm taken especially by the one looking through Sienna's ears. Wow!
Thanks, Elizabeth for your kind words. I am amazed by how much I miss her. I have a collection of "between the ears" images. Maybe I will put them in Notes.
When I experienced the death of our Granddog Pierre, I was glad I had heard from Pope Francis that dogs were welcome in heaven. Given our closeness to coming to that crossing over ourselves, I am certain that the first greeter on the other side will be Pierre. He knew how to welcome a person. . . .
I LOVE the idea of our dogs greeting us at The Gates! A perfect image. I am happy to here the Pope's endorsement of the worth of dogs in our lives (and after).
Thinking of you and Busy and sending love and hugs. Sienna was always around as well when Busy and I were working at the dining room table. A dog full of vibrancy and affection.
Ah Stew, I know....I know. She was a carpe diem board member who always knew when it was time to make her presence known at a board meeting. Such energy when she greeted me with that wildness that reminded me that she, like us, are wild animals at heart. Wish you and Busy peace.
She loved to be where the action is, in a kind of "I'm here if you need me" way. She appreciated your leadership and the tone you set of inclusiveness -- of all mammals.
I am in tears over here. Especially the lines, "I’ll tell you, I will miss being seen, so completely, so constantly, so adoringly. I’d be blessed to be half of the person she thinks I am. I am daily surprised by my level of sadness, learning to live on without that companionship." Exactly how I feel about my dog Nick who died in 2020. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but the pain can return on a dime with the right memory. As the quote goes, I can't do a thing for you. Except send love, which I am.
This is a new (to me) kind of loss. I keep expecting to see her here and there. And I find it difficult not to think about what she is doing and what she needs. Thanks for your loving thoughts.
Beautiful Sienna. Ingrid said it well, vibrancy and affection. And joyful and welcoming and a loving companion. How she will be missed! The photos in this tribute to her are magical. Definitely thinking of you and Busy during this difficult time. I just encountered this Magpie song while looking for something else, and I think it must be for me to share it with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC_JHrwT1oQ These photos, especially the rainbow photo, and the video of Sienna getting the newspaper down all those front stairs are how I will remember sweet Sienna. Sending love to you, Busy, and Sienna.
Thanks, Paula. I am unclear about how to process this strange kind of grief, but it helps to know that her memory will linger on in many minds. I am so glad that you got to meet her, and that she got to meet you.
Thanks also for sharing that lovely Magpie song. I will keep it in mind and heart.
I thought you said this post wouldn't reduce me to tears. Perhaps, the experience of holding my grandchildren's dog in my arms, while my veterinarian brother-in-law and his veterinarian sister did the necessary work to end the suffering of the dog loved by all of us there, as well as my son, daughter-In-law and grandchildren, who were not there, is still too close. This happened more than 3 years ago, but feels like yesterday. Thank you for your beautiful words.
I suspect the experience will have a similar enduring strength and poignancy. Maybe it's something in that gaze that dogs have -- so present, so nonjudgmental. so eager. Thank you for your reflection.
A poignant, beautiful tribute to a noble dog/friend/companion. I'm grateful that I got to meet Sienna. She really was a steadfast calm presence, part of the family. I'm sending you all my heartfelt condolences on her passing.
So sorry for the pain of parting, Stew. I felt the tug of the same line Lynne Dale pulled out. That's it, all of it, the gift our non-human kin bring to our relationships. Completely seen. Completely accepted. We lost the last of our furry friends three years ago, and I still move in and out of grief for them. Offering the only thing I can to you and yours: compassion.
The photos here are stunning, and I'm taken especially by the one looking through Sienna's ears. Wow!
Thanks, Elizabeth for your kind words. I am amazed by how much I miss her. I have a collection of "between the ears" images. Maybe I will put them in Notes.
When I experienced the death of our Granddog Pierre, I was glad I had heard from Pope Francis that dogs were welcome in heaven. Given our closeness to coming to that crossing over ourselves, I am certain that the first greeter on the other side will be Pierre. He knew how to welcome a person. . . .
I LOVE the idea of our dogs greeting us at The Gates! A perfect image. I am happy to here the Pope's endorsement of the worth of dogs in our lives (and after).
Thinking of you and Busy and sending love and hugs. Sienna was always around as well when Busy and I were working at the dining room table. A dog full of vibrancy and affection.
You got to know her well. I am glad of that. She was very special.
And notice that my avatar is our dog Roxy who passed away too young. She was a wild one and no fence could keep her in.
Roxy! What a great dog. So unlike Sienna, who strayed once out on the Shore and a neighbor brought her back. Since then, not much roaming.
Ah Stew, I know....I know. She was a carpe diem board member who always knew when it was time to make her presence known at a board meeting. Such energy when she greeted me with that wildness that reminded me that she, like us, are wild animals at heart. Wish you and Busy peace.
She loved to be where the action is, in a kind of "I'm here if you need me" way. She appreciated your leadership and the tone you set of inclusiveness -- of all mammals.
Condolences, on the loss of a fair companion.
Thanks. The loss feel bigger than I thought, She was, as they say, a good girl.