a love story in black and white
To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go. ~ Mary Oliver "In Blackwater Woods"
*this was written in December following the passing of our sweet Jazz
Daddy carried you inside from the sunny spot in the front yard grass
Where after a happy walk, you effortlessly made your graceful transition.
He gently placed you atop your soft blanket.
We lit sacred candles and thanked you for sharing your life with us,
Marveling with appreciation that you remained a puppy at 13 1/2.
He softly played the Tibetan singing bowl and
I anointed your dalmatian spots with lavender oil and warm teardrops.
We each honored you with a blessing.
Cradling your soft paws in our hands,
We sang you love songs.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Reader Comments (15)
What a beautiful way to go.
I am typing through tears. What a beautiful way to mark a passing.
I have seen this quote often, but somehow I missed the part about loving "what is mortal". It has so much more meaning now. I need to write it down and think on it often. Thank you.
<3
"In Mongolia, when a dog dies, he is buried high in the hills so people cannot walk on his grave. The dog’s master whispers in the dog’s ear his wishes that the dog will return as a man in his next life. Then his tail is cut off and put beneath his head, and a piece of meat of fat is cut off and placed in his mouth to sustain his soul for its journey; before he is reincarnated, the dog’s soul is freed to travel the land, to run across the high desert plains for as long as it would like.
I learned that from a program on the National Geographic Channel, so I believe it is true. Not all dogs return as men, they say; only those who are ready.
I am ready.
Enzo"
— Garth Stein (The Art of Racing in the Rain)
I imagine Jazz running far and wide in those plains with ears back and galloping strides.
I am so thankful that on this earth you found such a beautiful companion. I have loved and lost also and I know this pain that is not small. This is a beautiful tribute to a constant and faithful friend who will live forever in your heart. What a lovely photo and the comment that included the quote from Garth Stein brought me back to when I first read those words and how Enzo touched my heart also. How wonderful .
He knew he was so loved. :)
Oh.... oh, my. Beautiful.
I feel so much heart and love in your words. So Beautiful!
crying
such BIG love here.
I keep coming back to look at that beautiful and soulfilled face.
Thank you all for your heartfelt comments. Another quote from "The Art of Racing in the Rain" that found me was, "To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live." He was a shining example of this for me and will forever be counted as one of my greatest blessings and teachers.
no words...only tears
I cried when I read this...I had dogs when I was a child, but until I took Belle to live with me..during one of the toughest times in my life...... after the loss of my son.. It was amazing how she knew when I hurt and when I was sad..She would look at me as if she was saying, It will be Ok... She was my angel..
When I lost her a few years ago to cancer..and held her in my arms when she died..it was as if I lost my best friend..I knew she wouldn't hurt anymore...and I knew she was OK.. I was so blessed to have her in my life.. She was additional confirmation that we are all God's creatures... Thank you for sharing this with us..
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...
I was reading over some of your past blogs and wow, this stopped me in my tracks. I had to stop reading between each line to wipe my tears. I have trained and had my own personal dog since I was six yrs old. I lost my 12 yr old Australian Shepherd last March 2010 and my 11 yr old Australian Shepherd this past Dec 2010. I think of these 2 boys every day. They honestly mean as much to me as any human I know. I was with them 24/7 and we did fun things all day every day. They were puppies right up to that fateful day. Losing them both in the same year was the most intense pain ever. Sorry for writing my story, but not many people really understand the bond that is possible w/ an animal. I just felt so compelled after reading your post to open up. Thanks for listening. My heart breaks every day and I thank you for this beautiful post.
Suzanne
I was reading over some of your past blogs and wow, this stopped me in my tracks. I had to stop reading between each line to wipe my tears. I have trained and had my own personal dog since I was six yrs old. I lost my 12 yr old Australian Shepherd last March 2010 and my 11 yr old Australian Shepherd this past Dec 2010. I think of these 2 boys every day. They honestly mean as much to me as any human I know. I was with them 24/7 and we did fun things all day every day. They were puppies right up to that fateful day. Losing them both in the same year was the most intense pain ever. Sorry for writing my story, but not many people really understand the bond that is possible w/ an animal. I just felt so compelled after reading your post to open up. Thanks for listening. My heart breaks every day and I thank you for this beautiful post.
Suzanne