Lessons from grief - a year later

It was a  year ago today, that my golden girl, Izzy, left us. This wasn’t the first time I had to say goodbye to someone I loved, but it was probably the hardest. It’s amazing how much our pups become a part of our lives. Every morning, every night, they are there. Not to mention all the vet visits you make, the food shopping you do, the adventures you take with them. 

Sometimes they are the most constant thing in your life. We move, get new jobs, break up with our partners, and they are there for all of it. Perhaps even more than our families or best friends. They are there when you wake up in the morning, close your eyes at the end of the day, celebrate the good news and cry over the bad. 

They probably know more of your secrets than anyone else on the planet. It’s easy to share, because you know you won’t be judged. Nor will they gossip about you to anyone else. 

Izzy was all of that and more to me. Sometimes I think she knew how I was feeling even before I did. If I got sad, she’d come from another part of the house and comfort me, even as the first tears would fall. 

She could sense my excitement when I was happy, sharing in my joy as she wagged her tail alongside my cheers. She helped me keep it together when I wanted to fall apart. And looked at me with adoring eyes even when I felt most unlovable.
The gift of unconditional love. That’s what she gave me. And why we love our dogs so much. 

We can let our barriers down, be our true selves and love unconditionally in return. 

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always pondered the real purpose of our lives. And that’s it. To love ourselves and each other. Unconditionally. We’re all perfect. Just as we are. Yet we can’t see that. Our thoughts are our biggest enemy. If only we could see ourselves the way our dogs see us. 

In life, Izzy gave me so many gifts. Her friendship, her love, her devotion. And in death, she continues to give. I photograph differently now. In fact, I would say my skills as a photographer have grown since losing her. I see the importance of the role these pups play in our lives. And I want to reflect that back to each and every single pet owner. So they can see themselves just as their dogs do. 

I miss her terribly. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about her. And while it hurts not having her here with me, I’m so grateful that I got to share my life with her. It’s true what Winnie the Pooh says - “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”