grief

When Izzy Dies. Grieving for animals « Bedlam Farm Journal

Posted by Barbara Techel

Is it morbid to think about the time when Izzy dies? I’ve been writing all week about grieving for the animals we love, and I though it might be helpful – and honest – to share how I think about it. Once in awhile, I make sure to think about when Izzy dies. How he was abandoned on a farm and lived mostly outside for years and on his own, this intensely social and attached creature. How he drove me crazy when he first came to the farm, jumping fences, tearing the house apart. How he has seen so much life and death in his hospice work, see so many people he loved fade and die. Been so gentle and faithful to the people in his care, gone to their funerals, sat by their caskets.

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I love following Jon Katz and his thoughts on animals.
To answer his question, "Is it morbid to think about the time when Izzy dies?" No, I don't at all think it is morbid. Death is part of life. We all have to face that. Maybe if we could all realize the beauty of death, we would never use the word morbid.
Thinking of the eventual loss of our pets, I think, is healthy. I want to live in all the glorious moments I have with Frankie, but at the same time, I want to give thought to her not being here someday. I don't dwell on it, but rather think about what will my life look like without her?
We spend so much time together and because of her I have found my purpose. What will my purpose look like when she is gone? I found a bit more peace with that lately and believe I will always do something around dogs… sharing their stories… being with them… and bringing another one into my life to care and love.

Poem from Heaven

Posted by Barbara Techel

What a beautiful poem to help those whose dear furry companions have moved on…

POEM FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say,
But first of all, to let you know that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from the Rainbow Bridge.
Here I dwell with God above,
Here there are no more tears of sadness; there is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight,
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone,
As for your dearest family they'll be here later on.
I need you badly, you are part of My plan,
There's so much we have to do To help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do,
And foremost on the list was to watch and care for you,
And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight,
God and I are close to you in the middle of the night.
When you think of life on earth and all those loving years,
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears,
But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain,
Remember there could be no flowers, unless there could be some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned,
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth in over,
Now, more than ever before my life to you is closer.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb,
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too,
That as you give the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
Then you can say to God at night and "my day was not in vain."
And now I am contented that my life was worth while,
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go.
When you are walking down the street and you've got me on your mind,
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go, from your body to be free,
Remember you're not going. You're coming here to me.

Understanding Death

Posted by Barbara Techel

I suppose that sounds like a heavy topic, huh?  At a recent therapy dog meeting which Frankie and I attend once a month at Sharon S Richardson Hospice Community a poem was shared with us on a way to understand dying.  I thought it was such a beautiful poem that I just had to share.

By Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says:  "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:  "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.