Our Beloved Pets by Louise Suzanne Boyd, M.Div
Pets help carry us through the highs and the lows as we go through life and are often attuned to how we feel during sadness and loss. They are also attuned to other emotions such as happiness. They seem to connect with us on a deeper level because they have feelings too. Maybe because they have been beside humans for so long.
Our pets are always by our side showing us loyalty and trust and holding no judgment. They are accepting of who we are, and live in the moment as free spirits. Pets do help us heal through the darkest times in our lives. Oh, how I wish they could talk!
My daughter, Elianna passed away at the tender age of 12 from a brain hemorrhage. Elianna’s passing was very unexpected, and it was a shock to our family and the community. We will always remember her, the young girl with the radiant smile and the most beautiful mane of red hair. She had a caring heart and inner beauty that sparkled within and radiated on the outside. She was our eldest child. The pain of losing a child is one of life’s harshest blows to a parent. The grief is unfathomable, and I would not wish it upon anyone.
Several years before Elianna passed away we adopted a special little dog, Ace, from a friend of mine. Ace was a Boston Terrier. Elianna maintained a very special little friendship with Ace and had his picture on her phone. Ace was partially blind, snored rather loudly, had stinky breath and slept ALL day long. He only woke up if he could smell an aroma from the kitchen. These imperfect traits made Elianna love him even more probably because he was not a perfect specimen of a dog. In her eyes, he was the most loving, and best dog anyone would wish to have.
A tragedy does change us because, in time, we start to look at life from a new perspective as we continue.
I have learned so much about my pets and how they have helped me through my grief. I would lay with all three of my dogs for hours until I had no more tears to cry. They would comfort me and listen to me in their unique way and would act as silent, loving companions giving me the love and attention I needed. I do believe to this day that Elianna was sending energy through Ace, her beloved dog.
I believe all three of my dogs sensed something was different when my daughter fell ill. I feel they intuitively seemed to understand what we were going through as a family, and how sad we all were which is of great comfort in itself. I know they were sad, too. They were able to reach us through unconditional love and they were able to help fill this dark empty void within me and fill it with love.
Sadly, Molly, Pepper and Ace are no longer with us, but I will never forget their loving presence and how they comforted us during the darkest time in our lives.
I do miss them still, but I know my daughter, Elianna was there to greet them when they crossed the rainbow bridge and they exchanged heartfelt hugs and kisses.
A pet’s love is healing to the heart and the soul.
The love we have for our pets continues even after they leave us. Love is a connection to all things; love continues on from this world to the next and is the most powerful element of the universe.
