Every being human and animals alike are unique. The loss of a close companion may be part of the journey of our lives and we grieve at varying depths. Grief is natural and healing. In this society we are hesitant to admit we mourn for our pet whether it was furred, feathered or scaled. Experiencing the joy of connecting with a companion animal is for many of us an important part of our daily lives. When they pass away it can be devastating.

Please know that grief is a very important emotion to address. Reach out to those around you. If you find it difficult to cope call a pet loss support hotline. Taking good care of yourself is imperative. Outlets such as reading, writing, being in nature, praying or meditating may be helpful.

I wrote the following poem after the passing of a good friend of mine. The process helped me in a small way to let go.

I sit here up high 

I sit here up high

Watching the wind compose a dance of endless energy

A frigate bird wheels below scanning the depths for sustenance

The sweet smell of grass and purity flows towards me

While I look down I am conscious of the complexities of nature

Circles that form within eternal circles

I am in a state of dumbfounded awe

My mind clears as it becomes captivated by the patterns

Life comes and goes without our permission or comprehension

As I grieve a life ended abruptly and too soon

I am left floundering for an answer

Why?

But the only sound that reaches my ears on this cliff is the wind

It fills my skull with wordless emotion

The coldness seeps into my being as

I finally understand that I am too small to understand