What I learnt from my dog

[Dudla]

My 11 year old pet Tinkerbell had to undergo a hysterectomy in 2017. Unfortunately, she didn't recover from the surgery, mainly, I felt, becasue she was too scared. The accusing look she would give me in the days after the surgery, I will never be able to forget.

On her last day, she just sat in the middle of the room, refusing to move or get up, and followed me with her eyes as I went about my morning activities quite unaware that there was something terribly wrong. When it was time to go to the vet for her injection, I picked her up and was shocked when she went all limp. During the two minute drive to the vet's clinic I kept willing her to keep up her strength. But when I picked her up again as we reached the clinic, she totally crumpled in my arms and I was fully aware of the exact moment when her soul left her body. It was as if she was only waiting to be held by me one last time before she crossed over.

Tinkerbell was my first pet and her death left me gutted. I have never grieved so deeply at the death of a person as I grieved Tinkerbell's death. Even today when I think of her last day, I am overcome by emotion.

So I began reflecting on what is it about our connection with a pet that we feel their loss so acutely? What I realized is that a dog (or maybe even other pets I'm not experienced enough) is the only being that loves us unconditionally. Human love in all its forms has some conditionality or expectation attached to it. Even a mother's love for her children has some expectation attached to it. But not a dog. They just adore you as you are. They expect nothing in return and care nothing for who you are, what you do or what you think.

As I progress on my spiritual journey, I recall Tinkerbell's unadulterated devotion and love for me and every day I strive to infuse more unconditional love in my relationships.

Om Shanti

[Lynn]

Hello

Like with humans at times we do our best to think we know what they need and want, and try everything to keep them with us. It is never easy to have a loss, and at times we carry guilt forwards with us in that loss. Even though there was nothing that could change that path of passing.

I do not feel that fear played a role here, more its that connection we have to want to preserve life. At times that understanding death is near is strong within the persona or animal in they know.....and that is what they are trying to prepare us for the passing.

Pets bond to us and us to them. I am not sure though if that love at times is unconditional. My cat (that I took in my separation) was close with the EX but the one time when he came to visit she wanted "Nothing" to do with him. She made that clear he was "not welcome" in our new home. Now maybe she as picking up on the energy of me and the kids that did not want him around, but she did not go to him.

I bless your loss, but took know that you will have a connection again.

Lynn

[Native spirit]

I Have had many pets and each loss was Heartbraking.
one dog we had had to be put to sleep and his eyes were as if they were saying please let me go.every animal I loose I grieve for


Namaste

[BlaséStrannik]

I commiserate Dudla.

I currently have a dog,my first dog essentially,though my family has always had pets growing up.

He came into my life when life was taking another turn,a big one and he's been through the ups and downs along the way,while i learn and heal.

He's taught me about unconditional love and to be honest just recently,as i put up walls in fear of anyone getting close.

I'll be gutted when he goes but logically i'll have to reason through grieving that he was a gift and a guide to help me on my spiritual journey.

I honestly don't think any human will come close to showing true transparency and unconditional love.

Well,not currently and how the world is.