28 Comments
Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

I really felt this in my whole body. I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our boy a month ago as well (fifteen and a half, so we also had a lot of time with him, though it never is enough) and I feel this same way. Especially the part about grieving and then also worrying and grieving about it getting easier and what that means. I hate to feel like he’s getting further away as time goes by, even though we’ve still kept all his stuff out and still smell his collar and cuddle his toys (is that crazy??)

Everything feels awful and I wonder a lot when I’ll stop crying. He has always been my whole world and adjusting to life and routines without him has been so weird. I felt it when you said about looking for him in certain spots or still adjusting my body in the bed to accommodate him.

They are the very best thing in the whole world and if the world was fair they’d be healthy forever. Thank you for sharing this. You so perfectly put into words everything I’ve been feeling and I hope it gets easier for us soon. We are so lucky to have something to grieve. 🖤

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I'm so sorry for you loss 15 years! What a beautiful journey you shared.

I'm glad you could relate to this, but I hate it at the same time. Thinking of you and your pup.

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I'm so sorry Chrissy. I had to say goodbye to my sweet old husky on October 9 and it too was the saddest day of my life. Knowing it's the best thing to do for them doesn't take away the pain in processing it all afterwards. This whole month has truly been the saddest of my life but I keep finding his hair everywhere three weeks later and think of all the funny things he did and that brings a lot of warmth back into my body. They are just the absolute best and they make us the luckiest humans while they're with us. Sending a lot of love and spaciousness to you and your home as you grieve and heal the hole left behind.

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Thanks so much for sharing, Stephanie. We're almost two months out and it is getting easier. I can talk about him and laugh at his memories without feeling like my heart is breaking. I hope we both keep feeling their warmth, even though they're gone.

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Oct 15Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

Chrissy, what a beautiful, touching piece. It resonated so deeply—we lost our beloved best friend almost a decade ago now, in a very similar situation. It was unexpected and heartbreaking, I’d never known pain like it at the time. It still hurts. Dogs are just the best, aren’t they? They have such a profound impact on our lives. Like you, we were all with her at the end, and I’ll be forever grateful for that (actually, I’d never realised just how important that was until now, so thank you). I’m so sorry for your loss, sending you big virtual hugs!

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Thanks so much for this comment, and I'm sorry for your loss. There is really nothing like a beloved dog.

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“Grief is a hole, but love is a ladder. Every day, we remember our best boy. Every day, we reach for another rung.” -This is so beautiful. I cried reading this article and your love for your dog came through with every word you wrote. Putting my 15 year old dog down a little over a year and a half ago (because she was in pain) was one of the most painful decisions and worst days of my life. My kids immediately began begging for a new puppy, but I wasn’t ready. Five months later, I finally relented. And while there is no replacement for the dog I had to let go of, this new dog brings us all so much joy and helps fill my hole of grief. Dogs are such a gift to humans. They expand our hearts and make us better people. My heart goes out to you and your grief. Sending love your way to hopefully help you grab into another rung.

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Priscilla, I'm so glad you were able to welcome another dog into your life. I'm not ready yet either, but I think that's one of the best ways to honor the pups we lose. We love them so much we can't bear to live without a dog in our life.

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Oct 14Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

I shed so many tears reading this, especially the line about Calvin's corn chip scent: MY DOG SMELLS LIKE CORN CHIPS, TOO. We call her "Frito girl." She's 11 now, and the idea of that scent being gone someday? Unthinkable.

Thinking of you so much as you cope with this loss, dear friend. Keep climbing that ladder of love, and if it gets hard, let those rungs hold you upright. 💛

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The corn chip scent is truly the best!!! Thanks for this sweet comment and give your Frito girl a big hug for me.

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Oct 14Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

I started reading this while waiting for someone to join a Zoom meeting and whewie what a mistake. I feel this so entirely. I'm thinking of you and holding you in my heart. Calvin joins an army of old friends holding court for us.

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I'm picturing that army and laughing. What a glorious mess it would be. 💛

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Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

I’m so sorry for your loss, thank you for writing this story. It was beautiful 💕

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Thank you for sharing so beautifully about Calvin, for the moments of reading and sharing your lives together with us. A grief like no other.

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Thank you for reading it!

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<<<Chrissy>>> I am in tears, sharing your grief from beloved darlings I have lost and heartbreak for the inevitable goodbyes to come. There is no agony that can compare. You held Calvin to the very end and saw him through to the other side, where he is healthy and whole and good big strong boy once again. I'm so sorry. I hold your broken heart with tenderness.

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Thank you so much, Julie. I teared up again reading your comment. 💛

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Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

Crying reading along. In 3 days it will be 3 years since I held my 13 year old girl, Skye as she passed. Sadly, in the vet’s office, but it broke me. I had never felt such loss. Last year we lost my beagle boy too - this time I wasn’t there as he was under sedation with the vet & they called to get permission to let him go. I still cry when I go to bed, wishing they were still here. We have another beagle now, so she keeps me busy. We don’t have them for long enough and we’re never ready. 💔😢

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"We're never ready" - that is so heartbreakingly true. And yet we keep falling in love with them, because it's still worth it. 💛

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Absolutely. I can’t imagine my life and our home without pets. ❤️

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Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

I'm so sorry, Chrissy. Losing pets is just the most heartbreaking loss because they are such a special part of our lives. Sending you lots of love and healing.

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Thank you for sharing your wonderful Calvin and your broken heart with us. I’m too close to what you’ve been through and your grief to say more.

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I understand. Sending you lots of love.

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You gave him an incredible life and an easy, loving passage. That's all we can hope for. We're still mourning our furry best friend who we lost in December after 12 years together. I was with her and like you, I'm so grateful for that.

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Those last moments are awful, but I'm so glad our pups didn't have to face them alone.

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Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

💜💜An amazing tribute to a well loved dog. So sorry for your big loss. Sending hugs.

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Oct 13Liked by Chrissy Hennessey

Dogs are the best -- so sorry for your loss. Going to give my pup a few extra cuddles today

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