I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words about my dog. They helped me get through the night.

[JoseBalow]

61. I'm very sorry for your loss, Lucky

My sweet girl of 15 years passed in a very similar way last August, and I still weep at her memory, or when I am reminded of the sadness of losing her in my arms that day. Your sweet memories of Jona touch me, and I weep with you.

I very recently endured another very deep and personal loss. It has reminded me how inescapable grief is, if we choose to give our love. Someone close to me shared an ancient poem with me, to help me find some comfort in my grief. I'd like to share it with you, in hopes that you too might find some comfort from it...

For Those Who Have Died, Eleh
Ezkerah - These We Remember

'Tis a fearful thing
To love
What death can touch.
To love, to hope, to dream,

And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing,
To love what death can touch.

For your life has lived in me;
Your laugh once lifted me;
Your word was a gift to me;

To remember this brings painful joy.

'Tis a human thing, love,
A holy thing,
To love What death can touch.

—Judah Halevi or Emanuel of Rome; 12th Cent.

I feel your pain, brother. You are not alone.