On the homeward stretch
of my solitary morning walk today
I saw two young women walking their dogs
*
Words I heard a month ago
given voice by a lonely soul
came to mind
*
I used to walk my dog, too
For the third day, I am walking alone
not knowing what to do with my empty hands
They used to hold my little dog’s leash
*
*
Some days I have followed the familiar routes he chose
other days, I have expanded my horizons
remembering our times together as I walk
with both sorrow and deep gratitude
for the wounded soul who trusted me to care
despite a previous life of abandonment and abuse
*
I used to walk my dog
Now I walk to give thanks for our time together
and will continue to explore old places and new
with a different perspective that he helped me discover
*
*
For my Beloved Companion, Pinto
Born September, 2010 – Adopted October 29, 2013 – Died July 9, 2021
May your paths cross again in another life. And may your memories fill your nights with sweet dreams.
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I am so glad you had each other for those many precious years, Carol, and that he had the experience of a loving home after being abused and abandoned. I know from experience how strange it seems to walk alone,
no leash in hand, after years of walking together and I too am grateful for the time I did have with my beloved Toby. Pinto and Toby live on in our cherished memories.
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Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Joan. 💜
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Hugs and love…
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My sincerest condolences…
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Oh Carol, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Pinto. I loved watching you walk with him..his tail high and moving side to side like a proud banner.
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Shirley. My heart is aching,. I miss him and his fierce spirit but I am grateful he is no longer in pain. 💜
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What a beautiful, courageous, fair-to-all way to deal with this huge loss. You have inspired me — you, and little Pinto whose absence is only physical. ♥️
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Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Under the Mask. 💜
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Sending you a big hug in my thoughts, Hanneke
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Hanneke. 💜
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Sorry for your loss, Carol.
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Thank you, Peter. 💜
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Sorry to hear about your dog, Carol! My husband and I still walk the same paths we did with our dogs even though we lost both of them during the pandemic. It is therapeutic, as you mention.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Marie, and for sharing your experiences and insights. Taking time to grieve the loss of beloved companions is so important. 💜
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hugs dear friend, Eddie
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Thank you for your kindness, dear Eddie. 💜
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Oh, no! I am so sorry. Sweet Pinto, how sad you are gone, but the love you shared with Carol is always present.
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Diane. I miss him so much but I am grateful that he is no longer suffering. 💜
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Hello, Carol, my thoughts are with you, and although I never got to meet the little chap, I’ll not forget him.
Take care.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Mick. Pinto didn’t trust many people, but I suspect he would have linked you and Jack. 💜
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It was reward enough for us knowing that he was happy in his home with you, Carol.
Take care.
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There are no words but I am so sorry for your loss, my friend. Deeply sorry.
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Dear Trace, thank you so much for your kind words. Sending love and blessings to you, dear friend. 💜
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I miss you so much.. and I love you
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Carol, so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Pinto ❤
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Thank you so much for your kindness, dear Rosaliene. 💜
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Very sorry to hear of your loss. I know how hard it is. My dog passed about six weeks ago. When I tried to do our walk in the woods without him, I spent the first half in tears.
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Ken. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. It feels so strange to follow the same neighborhood sidewalks alone. So far, I haven’t cried during my walks, but I do when I walk in the door of the house. I automatically look down to make sure I won’t step on him because he was always eagerly awaiting my return if I went out without him. Then, I remember he’s not here and will never be here again. But I am grateful that he is no longer suffering. Sending hugs and my best wishes to you. 💜
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Oh, Carol. I feel so sad for your loss. I know Pinto was such an important part of your life. The days ahead will be challenging, as you continue to see your beloved companion everywhere. I send you my heartfelt condolences as you move through the days, weeks and months ahead. Blessings of love and healing to you my friend. 💜
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Dear Carrie, thank you so much for your kind words and blessings. Sending gratitude and blessing to you, too, dear friend. 💜
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Oh Carol! I am so very sad to hear about your sweet Pinto!! Losing a furry friend is most definitely one of the hardest things to go through in life. Sending lots of love and heart healing your way. ❤️
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Ah, dear Jessie. It is always such a gift to hear from you. I am deeply grateful for your kindness. Sending love and blessings to you and your family. 💜
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Such a grief which is hard to articulate. Just looking at photos of two of our past dogs and feeling the pain years, decades later. So special, how lovely that you have retraced the relationship in your steps Carol.
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Thank you do much for your kind and lovely comments, Paul. I send my deep gratitude and best wishes. 💜
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Tusba, the capital of the Urartian Kingdom, is now inside the city of Van, Turkey. This city is also famous for its one eye blue one eye green white cats, called Van cats, maybe you know, my dear earthling friend, Carol. A 3000-year-old dog skeleton was found during archaeological excavations there. I remember what made this dog skeleton different from other excavations in the world was that it was buried under the house next to the other family members. This dog was most likely the first domesticated dog that lived in the home with human members. The dogs are living species that has been in most close contact with the human species for 3000 years and that almost now understands the human language the best (both bodily and verbally). I think this 3000 years of domestication and living under the same roof with humans offers the dogs a closer understanding even more than humans to humans. Because people can differ a lot from each other culturally. But the same dog sees an Asian and a European in the same category, and shows the same affinity to the both; as just human that is a great friend of them.
Dear Carol, in short, I want to say this. It is not a coincidence that we feel close to them, and we are very happy with their presence and have big sadness by their loss. WD and I are really saddened… In the name of our at least 3000 year good friendship with them, I know Pinto’s place will always be special to you. And, for him and for you, I’ll raise a toast this evening in honor of all the years of good friendship between you! Sleep and rest under the star lights, dear Pinto!
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Dear Migo and WD, thank you so much for sharing such a lovely history about dogs. They are sometimes the truest friends and the most beloved of companions. Your kindness brought healing tears that I needed to let fall for the little friend that no longer needs to breathe the smoky summer air that brought him so much pain and fear. Chi miigwetch, dear friends, for sharing your blessing for him. 💜
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I am so sorry. Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is hard. No doubt you miss Pinto. I do love that you are still out walking and remembering him all along the way. Your love for him lives on.
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Thank you so much for your kind and lovely words, Ali. I am deeply grateful and send my best wishes to you. 💜
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am so sorry for your loss. i know how it feels, having lost kobe, my loyal, loving german shepherd, who was with me for 11 years. keep his thoughts alive as you walk, for truly, he walks with you even if only in spirit.
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Thank you for your kind words and advice, Charly. I am sorry to hear about your loss of a dear friend, Kobe. Sending my best wishes to you. 💜
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