Big Heart Dog Love
Puma and I were well known in our neighborhood as we went for walks twice daily. Through those daily walks I got to meet neighbors blocks away—handsome Puma’s gentle, friendly nature was a great conversational ice breaker.
After Puma crossed over as I had promised him I continued the daily walks without him by my side. For weeks people would stop me on the street or run out of their houses to ask me where he was. One neighbor even kindly offered his own dog if I would like company on my walks (I am sure his dog would have been delighted at an extra walk).
Just before Christmas I met that same neighbor in the local market. We chatted briefly and I shared with him how much I still missed Puma, and my hopes of adopting another dog.
Later that day there was a knock at my door. I saw two dogs looking in, and behind them was the same neighbor. He handed me a scroll wrapped with ribbon—a gift for Christmas Eve. He said he hoped it would bring me comfort.
On it was written these words:
“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love and loyalty.
“They depart to teach us about loss. We try to replace them but never quite succeed.
“A new dog never replaces an old dog: it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.”
The words brought comfort, but the gift from a fellow animal person brought even more. I am grateful to all the wonderful people who understand the love I shared with Puma and my previous dogs, and who have offered comfort in many beautiful ways.
You have big hearts, too.
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©2013 Rose De Dan. All Rights Reserved. www.reikishamanic.com
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Think Outside the Cage
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About Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing:
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, is a mesa carrier in the Peruvian shamanic tradition. In addition she is also a Reiki Master Teacher, animal communicator, author of the acclaimed book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism, and creator of Animal and Reiki Art. As an animal shaman, she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth.
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This Post Has 2 Comments
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Puma. I have two dogs that are in their end of life stage so I can relate. You are right, a new dog can never replace an old dog nor would we want them to. It does teach us about loss but it is so, so painful.
it makes me so sad. 🙁 .The memories and times spending to our pets can’t suddenly forgot. it always remind the past things that we do daily to our pets.