34 Comments
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Melody Kaman's avatar

Losing our animal companions is such a tough thing to go through. Having a community of pet parents who can share the rawness of their grief provides a place of healing. Thank you for sharing, Melissa. 🥰

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you Mel 💔

Cheryl's avatar

So very sorry. Nothing ever prepares us for their loss, or fills their space. Hugs, and may many happy memories ease your pain.

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you 🤍

Heather Love's avatar

“It’s loud in a different way now.” What a perfect way to describe the sound of grief. I know it well. My condolences to you ❤️

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you, Heather 🤍

Melissa's avatar

I am so sorry to hear about this Melissa! It is so heartbreaking. Please know I walk with you in your grief. It’s never easy, and when it comes along unexpectedly it adds to the dynamic. The beauty of the love you shared with Loki shines through in your writing. I am sending so much love to you with the hope you can find comfort during this difficult time of transition. ♥️

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you so much. It really means a lot to feel that kind of support right now 🤍

Alica Cristal Water's avatar

This is so beautifully written, I feel it. I almost feel Loki's presence... and absence, just the way you described it so aptly. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for honouring Loki and your other dogs. That silence hurts. But hopefully, you'll soon/eventually hear his barking through the cosmos of his energy and love for you, in your heart.

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you Alica 💗

Cindy Ojczyk's avatar

That photo is pure dog bliss! I have a similar one of my dog, Shiloh, after running through a creek then rolling in freshly tilled farmed dirt, smiling wide.

Melissa Sherman's avatar

This was definitely his happy place! Thank you for sharing the beautiful imagery about Shiloh! Dog smiles are contagious!

jen gordon's avatar

I completely feel this. It's something I will face hopefully not soon but my beloved girl is 14. I have anticipatory grief that I don't know how to deal with. If anyone knows any resources for help with this I would greatly appreciate guidance thank you. Im sending love and positive thoughts for you and your family 2 and 4 legs🙏💛

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you 🤍Anticipatory grief is tough. I wrote about it in November. If you would like to read it here is the link: https://blog.calmingcreek.com/p/staying-present-with-our-pets-in

I also have a meditation I posted on presence. Sending you love

jen gordon's avatar

I just read your article and I think I read it when you posted it. It is very good thank you even if my eyes are a little moist. I also attended the remembrance gathering. Im not looking forward to navigating the grief when it comes but I will have to because I love my girl beyond measure ❤️

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Since you are a member of the Compassionate Paws group, that’s a great place for support too. Anticipatory grief can become all consuming if we let it. Sending you hugs and love. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need anything 💗

jen gordon's avatar

Thank you I appreciate this. Yes anticipatory grief was a really big issue for me a year ago. I was letting it interfere with my daily interactions with my girl. After a session with a communicator I learned that Lilo really wanted me to be present with her and enjoy our life together. So now when I feel it creeping in I remember that and focus on our journey right now together. The future will bring what it brings🙏

Melissa Sherman's avatar

This is so beautifully said. That shift back into presence is everything… Lilo sounds very wise 🤍

jen gordon's avatar

Thank you I will read this article 😊 I'm open to any help I can get

Julia Lane's avatar

I am so sorry for Loki's passing

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you 💕

Seed & Spirit's avatar

I'm so very sorry. The pain is excruciating until the time comes when you can breathe again. Sending love.

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you 💔

Bekah's avatar

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Loki, Melissa. Just reading about it guts me as I can feel how vast the grief must be. Thinking of you and your whole beloved pack as you all navigate through this hard time. ❤️

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you Bekah 💜

Animal Michael Lane's avatar

Really, really lovely words. I feel almost everything you talked about with my departed animals. Thank you for sharing this.

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you 🤍

Liane Ehrich's avatar

I lost my LGD to osteosarcoma two years ago. Thinking of her still brings tears to my eyes. When you speak about how much these dogs are integral to the land you are exactly right. There’s something different about these dogs. I love what you wrote. It says everything I feel when there’s silence instead of that big warm bark. My heart goes out to you. I know how hard this was to write. ❤️💔

Melissa Sherman's avatar

I couldn't agree more. LGD's are special and different. There is a wildness, yet also so grounding. It's magnetic. Thank you for your kind and understanding words 🤍💔 Sending you love for the loss of your girl.

Emmy Nesco's avatar

I miss my Molly every day and it’s been years - and she was a bloodhound so … 😊. Mol had thyroid cancer. I drove her to the University of Missouri from Pennsylvania for brachytherapy (

Emmy Nesco's avatar

Oops. Sent too soon. The dose of radiation was too large to use east of the Mississippi - who knew. She stayed for a week in quarantine and we drove home. Additional low dose radiation when we returned got it all and she lived for 3 more years that we wouldn’t have had - virtually unscathed - again, she was a bloodhound. I know the journey and would not have changed a thing even if I knew the heartbreak of her cancer and losing her. It was worth every vet bill and ounce of drool!

Melissa Sherman's avatar

Thank you for sharing Molly's story💔

LyndaJoyJamysen AKALibertyJoy!'s avatar

I am so sorry for your loss. I was crying reading your story about him. I know this loss too well. I know the pain and joys of memory. I know how you feel and we just have to go through it. I have lost 2 cats and a dog in the last few years and my last old boy kitty is still with me. I treasure every moment with him I can.