RIP Mouse

Angel Stella Rose Long's Mom Deb lost her beloved little four-legged friend "Mouse" to a tragic accident early today.  I know how hard this is for her and am reposting something that was from The Book of Barkley that brought me comfort when he went to the Bridge.

"When I was 18, and lost my lifelong companion, Sally - with me since birth, a small black and white cocker mix... my best and sometimes only friend, my soul-mate... She loved me, I believe more perfectly than I could ever have loved her in my inexperience. When she was 18 she died and I grieved and I cried and I still get tears in my eyes when I think of that sweet little soul who gave me so much. 

So, no, you never get over it, I do not know anyone who has loved a dog and has said goodbye that gets over it. The pain? As you know, it eases, it becomes sweet memory with time, you still get tears in your eyes, but the smiles and laughter at the remembered fun and antics of your 4-legged Pal returns to you.

My mother is part Iroquois, and although a lifelong Catholic carried with her some of the mythology handed down in her family. She knew my grief was raw and painful and that only time would help heal the wound in my heart. She said to me "Sally walks with you, and with time, she will allow you to feel her there beside you. During the first time of grief, you are blind to her, and that is as it should be, so she will know she is no longer in This World, but now walks in the Spirit World. When you are ready, she will help ease your pain by showing you memories and helping you laugh again when you are ready to see that she is not lost to you, but always remains a part of you. Your tears will then be tears of joy at your good fortune at having known such a one."

 - From "The Book of Barkley - Love and Life Through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever".

Our sunset as Abby and I went out to a local park and raised a toast to Mouse.