On Day 1 of the #Write28Days challenge I mentioned that life had given me a big excuse not to do the challenge. I was referring to the passing of our sweet dog, Pablo, on 31st January. He was 12 years old and was ill for three weeks before he passed. Different emotions all at once is what I’m facing since the day he passed.
Pablo was not the first dog I’ve had, but he was the first dog we’ve had as a couple. He was with us 12 of the 14 years we’ve been married. We chose the breed and his name before we got him – so he was indeed very special.
Pablo had his own blog and his own Facebook page. I plan to keep these active with dog related posts and to bring awareness to the issue of stray/abandoned dogs. Incidentally, our Lucky is a dog we took off the streets. You can read her story in my post ‘How We Got Lucky‘.
Pablo truly taught us how to stop and smell the flowers! ♥
Different Emotions All At Once
Different emotions all at once I feel within my heart. I'm mourning a loss, yet celebrating a life Broken hearted, yet grateful Tearful, yet smiling I'm creating, while at times I feel so broken. Deep sobs in the quiet of the night Are my way of mourning. I miss my lovely pup And yet I cannot but help smiling When I think of his antics And all the joy he brought to us. I know he's forever lost, Yet he's forever remembered. He beyond pain, I hope But I am confused too. What happens to dogs when they die Is there a heaven for them too? Is he gamboling around somewhere Bringing joy and smiles to others? I wish it were so, but I really don't know. As I write this, I cannot but shed tears Helpless about the loss But I need to be attentive and strong For the other pup who needs us And the strays we feed. Twelve years he was with us Through our ups and downs He saw me through some of my darkest days I buried my head in his more times than I can count Comforted by his loving presence Knowing he was there. And he took comfort in our presence too Clinging to me when he was ill Demanding we walk him and play with him. I miss you, my dear boy But I know you had to go Different emotions all at once I feel in my heart But the greatest one is gratitude For you, sweet Pablo.
Heartbreak and hope are not mutually exclusive. We can be angry and sad and filled with longing for something we cannot have, and simultaneously we can be grateful for what we’ve got — aware, for reasons we’d never choose, of what really matters and what doesn’t.
Lennon Flowers
#Write28Days
I’m undertaking the #Write28Days Challenge and will be posting every day in February. I will combine this with my regular features – #MondayMusings, #FiveMinuteFriday and #100WordsOnSaturday.
This post was written in response to Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday prompt – Once.
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Yes, so many emotions all at the same time. I totally get that. So true: “Heartbreak and hope are not mutually exclusive.” I’m so sorry about your loss of Pablo. Whenever our pets died, it made me never want to get another one because it was too sad. 🙁 But I know that’s not the way to live. We always live and love the next one just as much, even while grieving the lost ones.
Thank you for understanding, Lisa. Since we have Lucky already, we’ve decided to focus our attention on her. If it was left to me, I’d probably get another dog, but not just now. But as you know, committing to a pet must be a joint decision.
What a beautiful boy. Praying for you in this loss.
Thank you, Sarah. That means a lot.
My heart goes out to you. I lost my Shih Tzu Leroy a few weeks ago and I’ve been through all those emotion. It’s so hard to let them go! Prayers for you!
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about Leroy, Michelle. Hugs..
I’m sorry about your dog. He looks gorgeous in the photos. I know you miss him terribly and I understand. He also brought you many happy memories. Loretta visiting from fmf
Thank you, Loretta. He was a handsome boy! And yes, we have loads of happy memories and pictures!
So sorry to hear about sweet Pablo. God has put our furry friends into our lives for his purpose. Blessings,
Visiting from FMF#9
Thank you, Paula. He certainly has!
What a special boy.
We only have kitties but prefer to have “rescued” pets instead of those with fancy pedigrees too.
Thanks, Barb. I must confess that we bought Pablo. But we have got wiser since. Glad to know that some rescued cats have found a home with your family.
I still cry over the loss of our Sam in 2018. A once in a lifetime furry friend!
Sweet boy!! Grief is so hard and there are so many emotions at once. I’m so sorry for your loss. #FMF 17
I’m so very sorry, Corinne. We have a multitude of dogs (people dump them on the mesa where we live, and we do not turn any away), and even so, when one passes away, the heartbreak is ever-fresh.
I wrote this just for you. I hope it brings comfort.
My happy friend, my heart’s delight,
oh, where could you have gone?
I look for you at twilight
and in the breaking dawn,
and days go by, you are not there,
and I know that you can’t be,
but this from broken heart I share,
please stop, and wait for me,
for soon I’ll come around the bend
(far sooner than you think),
and the tears will find their end
and we shall kneel, and drink
at the golden river’s edge
that flows beneath the Rainbow Bridge.
I love the quote! So sorry for your loss.
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss! We lost our German Shepherd about four months after we moved to Arizona (9 years ago), it was a very difficult time–grieving my loss of normalcy (we’d lived in Montana for 11 years), and my companion. Good for you for writing such a beautiful poem about your loss.
Sorry for your loss
Hi Corinne,
I’m very sorry for your loss and I know how hard it is to lose our best friends. The whirlwind of emotions is intense. I’m also still mourning the passing of my 13 year old dog just over 4 months ago. He never leaves my thoughts even though I have my other dog to keep me busy. Thank you for your poem which was lovely. Take care x
What a beautiful dog… I cried when I read it… My husband and I had a cat- we have been married for almost 8 years and together for nine… Cricket was his cat first but we both dearly loved him… he passed away almost a year ago… When I could not sleep at night he cuddled up beside me on our couch… He was a beautiful cat- gray and black long haired… my constant companion – I miss him terribly.
❤️Terri #14 FMF
#14FMF
I’m sorry about Pablo – he sounds awesome. It’s great that you’re keeping his page going and using it to raise awareness and help others.