I'm glad you are brave enough to share your death journey with Parker. It models some possibilities, including water cremation which I'd never heard of before, and more. The most difficult chapter in animal foster mom and dad life deserves this kind of detail and honest sharing ,so that we all can learn together.
Thank you so much for saying so. I was worried about over sharing but honestly I want to write more like this. Not necessarily about Parker but about death and grieving. I almost didn’t but I’m glad I did. Your support means everything.
"I guess there is no right or wrong way to grieve. I guess that it’s ok to not be ok."
Thank you so much for sharing this part of Parker's beautiful story, Lyns. As I navigate my 7 lb, 17 year old rescue's final phase I laughed at the urine episode. Widget has a heart murmur, petit mal seizures, and is in renal failure. During a recent seizure I was comforting him as he emptied his bladder down the front of my dress. I will remember this fondly ❤
Oh sweet Rena, I feel for you my love. Take care of yourself during this time. Seizures are so scary. Sweet, sweet Widget, I am sending you both hugs and lots of love. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
Oh Lyns - I knew from the moment I opened this that I wouldn’t make it to the middle, let alone end, without tears streaming down my face. Mainly because it’s just so sad, and partly because it made me question what we want to, and need to, do when the time comes for Hiro.
Your love for him BEAMS through your words - thank you so much for sharing. Big hugs, and wet kisses (from Hiro) x
Aww sweet Hiro! Thank you for reading, Mark, sorry to make you cry. Mine is a love story for Parker, I have no regrets only love. You should feel the same with all the wonder in the world that you experience with Hiro. I do think that witnessing death and dying helps us to appreciate life. Give Hiro a big wet kiss… or maybe just a treat from me.🤣🤣
I want to say sending love for adjusting to life post Parker but I think we both know that there isn't really I time after them even when they've died. There's only ever a before they came into your life, he will always be known to you.
You handled it all beautifully and respectfully and you can be proud of the life you shared together. Thank you for sharing it 💕💕💕
Thank you so much, Jen! My sentiments as well, and I really appreciate you saying so. Exactly what you said is truly what matters. Thank you for reading and commenting and for all of your friendship and support.
Thank you for writing about Parker's passing. Since you have been writing about him, he felt, kinda, like my friend, too, like my May, or my most recent pug-mix, Puck, who died of a bee sting when he was 20 weeks old. I still haven't come to terms with that one yet. It brings me some closure to read this. I remember driving home from the vet without my May in rush-hour traffic. I'm glad Parker met his end at home, surrounded by people who loved him. I'm glad too, that you dreamed about him, and that it was so meaningful to everyone. Such a hopeful dream. I'm with you, mess and all. I hope you just give yourself permission to be - however you show up. I'm with you in the mess.
Thank you Susan. Thank you so much for sharing your sweet May and now Puck too! So sorry for your losses and I’m glad we are in the mess together. I’m so glad he felt like a friend to you, that makes me so happy! It was a very hopeful dream and I hope I have more. I really appreciate you being here and taking the time to comment.
Fierce love! When my husband died the University where he donated his body kept him on ice and then Covid. Every time I called to ask what was up, a woman told me "the body was still in the freezer." Christ. I was nearing the point of asking for him back, and considered stuffing him!
Kara, you always always know just what to say! These are the conversations I want to be having more of. The sad, the heartfelt, the nitty gritty.. thank you so much, my friend. I needed this
Oh Lyns, what a beautiful tribute to Parker and so many who loved him dearly. I'm especially touched by all the care you took to ensure he was honored up until his very last breath and well beyond. What incredible people Parker's vet and former hydrotherapist are!! You found the perfect team to take care of his needs - and yours. 💕
Thank you so much, Cathy! I couldn’t agree more, I’m so so grateful for Parker’s team of caregivers and that we were able to provide him a comfortable and special experience until the end. It means a lot to me that you took the time to read and comment. Thank you so much.
Oh no! I’m sorry it was too sad, I swear there were some happy stories too. I’m so honored that you are here - it really means a lot. I appreciate you so much.
it’s such a difficult subject for so many of us to grapple with. But sometimes I think we carry grief much too long because we don’t know how to properly honor and respect those feelings. Or something like that. I’m not sure. and right now there is so much grief in the world. We all need the healing and the tools on how to handle the grief. I’m certainly still learning.
I love that you said this and I agree. I want to talk more about death and dying and grief, and all the messy in between. It’s raw and real and makes life feel more precious somehow. Thank you for being here and reading and commenting. It means a lot
I usually read your pieces the minute they hit my inbox, but I hesitated on this one. Not because I was afraid of what I might read, but because I wanted to give your words space. I didn't want to cram them in between tasks or listen while driving somewhere. I'm glad I waited. You write so simply and beautifully about such a difficult experience. You and Parker and Dave are all so lucky to have had each other. Loss is never easy. I admire the way you saw things through to the end with such love, compassion, and respect. Here's to wiggling our toes and our paws in the grass in this life and beyond. xo
Thank you Jamie! I appreciate you taking the time. Your words are magic and this comment is no exception. Thank you for being there for me and for being an awesome friend.
Look at that face, so handsome. I appreciate you sharing the emotions you felt those last weeks. Parker will always be with you in spirit. Thank you Lyns.
Such a beautiful, loving post. Thank you for sharing Parker's story, Lyns. You've honoured him in so many ways. How wonderful that he's meeting you in dreams!
Thank you Robin! I’m very grateful for his dream visit and I’m hoping for many more. I appreciate you reading and commenting, and checking in. You’re an amazing friend.
What a beautiful and loving story. I love your openness about death and about the details of Parker's last days. My heart goes to you in your grief.
Your photos are beautiful and convey such personality and squishy adorableness.
I love what one of your readers said, about how there is no "after," there is only before you knew him, because he is with you forever.
How wonderful that you had a visitation dream. I am not surprised at all that he found a way to reassure you. Taking care of you from the other side. 💛
Thank you Tina, I was nervous to share his death but death and dying is a theme I want to explore more in my writing so your encouragement means a lot. Thank you for your kind words and condolences.
I'm glad you are brave enough to share your death journey with Parker. It models some possibilities, including water cremation which I'd never heard of before, and more. The most difficult chapter in animal foster mom and dad life deserves this kind of detail and honest sharing ,so that we all can learn together.
Hugs in your grief and your honoring of his life.
Thank you so much for saying so. I was worried about over sharing but honestly I want to write more like this. Not necessarily about Parker but about death and grieving. I almost didn’t but I’m glad I did. Your support means everything.
"I guess there is no right or wrong way to grieve. I guess that it’s ok to not be ok."
Thank you so much for sharing this part of Parker's beautiful story, Lyns. As I navigate my 7 lb, 17 year old rescue's final phase I laughed at the urine episode. Widget has a heart murmur, petit mal seizures, and is in renal failure. During a recent seizure I was comforting him as he emptied his bladder down the front of my dress. I will remember this fondly ❤
Oh sweet Rena, I feel for you my love. Take care of yourself during this time. Seizures are so scary. Sweet, sweet Widget, I am sending you both hugs and lots of love. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
Thank you, love ❤
Oh Lyns - I knew from the moment I opened this that I wouldn’t make it to the middle, let alone end, without tears streaming down my face. Mainly because it’s just so sad, and partly because it made me question what we want to, and need to, do when the time comes for Hiro.
Your love for him BEAMS through your words - thank you so much for sharing. Big hugs, and wet kisses (from Hiro) x
Aww sweet Hiro! Thank you for reading, Mark, sorry to make you cry. Mine is a love story for Parker, I have no regrets only love. You should feel the same with all the wonder in the world that you experience with Hiro. I do think that witnessing death and dying helps us to appreciate life. Give Hiro a big wet kiss… or maybe just a treat from me.🤣🤣
I want to say sending love for adjusting to life post Parker but I think we both know that there isn't really I time after them even when they've died. There's only ever a before they came into your life, he will always be known to you.
You handled it all beautifully and respectfully and you can be proud of the life you shared together. Thank you for sharing it 💕💕💕
Thank you so much, Jen! My sentiments as well, and I really appreciate you saying so. Exactly what you said is truly what matters. Thank you for reading and commenting and for all of your friendship and support.
Thank you for writing about Parker's passing. Since you have been writing about him, he felt, kinda, like my friend, too, like my May, or my most recent pug-mix, Puck, who died of a bee sting when he was 20 weeks old. I still haven't come to terms with that one yet. It brings me some closure to read this. I remember driving home from the vet without my May in rush-hour traffic. I'm glad Parker met his end at home, surrounded by people who loved him. I'm glad too, that you dreamed about him, and that it was so meaningful to everyone. Such a hopeful dream. I'm with you, mess and all. I hope you just give yourself permission to be - however you show up. I'm with you in the mess.
Thank you Susan. Thank you so much for sharing your sweet May and now Puck too! So sorry for your losses and I’m glad we are in the mess together. I’m so glad he felt like a friend to you, that makes me so happy! It was a very hopeful dream and I hope I have more. I really appreciate you being here and taking the time to comment.
Fierce love! When my husband died the University where he donated his body kept him on ice and then Covid. Every time I called to ask what was up, a woman told me "the body was still in the freezer." Christ. I was nearing the point of asking for him back, and considered stuffing him!
Kara, you always always know just what to say! These are the conversations I want to be having more of. The sad, the heartfelt, the nitty gritty.. thank you so much, my friend. I needed this
Oh Lyns, what a beautiful tribute to Parker and so many who loved him dearly. I'm especially touched by all the care you took to ensure he was honored up until his very last breath and well beyond. What incredible people Parker's vet and former hydrotherapist are!! You found the perfect team to take care of his needs - and yours. 💕
Thank you so much, Cathy! I couldn’t agree more, I’m so so grateful for Parker’s team of caregivers and that we were able to provide him a comfortable and special experience until the end. It means a lot to me that you took the time to read and comment. Thank you so much.
I'm sorry, I couldn't read after the first few paragraphs. 💔😔
Thank you for sharing his sweet pictures. Condolences and hugs.
Oh no! I’m sorry it was too sad, I swear there were some happy stories too. I’m so honored that you are here - it really means a lot. I appreciate you so much.
it’s such a difficult subject for so many of us to grapple with. But sometimes I think we carry grief much too long because we don’t know how to properly honor and respect those feelings. Or something like that. I’m not sure. and right now there is so much grief in the world. We all need the healing and the tools on how to handle the grief. I’m certainly still learning.
I love that you said this and I agree. I want to talk more about death and dying and grief, and all the messy in between. It’s raw and real and makes life feel more precious somehow. Thank you for being here and reading and commenting. It means a lot
I'm very grateful to have met you, and all that you love. I hope you write about Parker more. A love supreme.
Thank you Susan, so grateful to have met you too 💕
I usually read your pieces the minute they hit my inbox, but I hesitated on this one. Not because I was afraid of what I might read, but because I wanted to give your words space. I didn't want to cram them in between tasks or listen while driving somewhere. I'm glad I waited. You write so simply and beautifully about such a difficult experience. You and Parker and Dave are all so lucky to have had each other. Loss is never easy. I admire the way you saw things through to the end with such love, compassion, and respect. Here's to wiggling our toes and our paws in the grass in this life and beyond. xo
Thank you Jamie! I appreciate you taking the time. Your words are magic and this comment is no exception. Thank you for being there for me and for being an awesome friend.
Look at that face, so handsome. I appreciate you sharing the emotions you felt those last weeks. Parker will always be with you in spirit. Thank you Lyns.
Thank you Jo-Ann. I appreciate you so so much
🤗😊
Such a beautiful, loving post. Thank you for sharing Parker's story, Lyns. You've honoured him in so many ways. How wonderful that he's meeting you in dreams!
Thank you Robin! I’m very grateful for his dream visit and I’m hoping for many more. I appreciate you reading and commenting, and checking in. You’re an amazing friend.
This is a beautiful piece - I cried all the way through x
Thank you Hannah 🥹
I know how much heart, energy, and tears it must have taken to write this. It is a gift. You are a gift. Parker was a gift 💝
You are a gift. Thank you so much Maria. This is such an important transformative time and I’m so glad we are friends.
🥹
What a beautiful and loving story. I love your openness about death and about the details of Parker's last days. My heart goes to you in your grief.
Your photos are beautiful and convey such personality and squishy adorableness.
I love what one of your readers said, about how there is no "after," there is only before you knew him, because he is with you forever.
How wonderful that you had a visitation dream. I am not surprised at all that he found a way to reassure you. Taking care of you from the other side. 💛
Thank you Tina, I was nervous to share his death but death and dying is a theme I want to explore more in my writing so your encouragement means a lot. Thank you for your kind words and condolences.