Pet Loss, Reflections #1

This gentle meditation is a reflection on your beloved dog that has passed away. I guide you to reflect on the deep bond you had with your dog and to discover the beautiful gift your dog has left you with.

Transcript

Hello,

And welcome to this pet loss recording.

I'm sorry that your dog has passed away.

I designed this recording series on pet loss for the millions of people who are feeling this deep pain and sadness from their dog dying.

It's very real.

I know.

I lost my best friend of 11 years,

My dog Lucy.

I went through what you are going through now.

I understand.

You are not alone in your deep sadness,

But I know you feel very alone without your dog.

My hope with this recording is that you will reflect on and discover what your dog has left you with,

Given you.

Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down where you will be undisturbed while listening to this recording.

Do not listen to this recording while doing something that requires your full attention.

The relaxation in the first part of this recording is very important.

You will be able to take in what I'm saying in a much deeper level if you are in a relaxed state.

You now start by taking four big inhales and exhales,

Focusing on the movements these big breaths create in your chest.

Now return back to your natural breath and feel yourself breathe the rhythm of your breath as it comes and goes.

Now I'd like you to become aware of your body.

Feeling your body and the sensations of what you're resting on.

What is supporting your body?

Do you feel supported?

And as you bring awareness to your body,

The sensations in your body,

See if there's any tension or discomfort.

Sometimes we're holding certain parts of our body tightly and we don't even realize it.

Just allow those parts of your body to melt and to soften,

Almost to the point where your extremities could feel heavy or maybe light.

Breathing smoothly and evenly.

Just allowing your body and mind to rest.

Rest from thinking.

Rest from doing.

And feel yourself moving into that calm,

Peaceful state as you listen to the sound of my voice voice,

The sound of these words.

And just allow the outside world and all of its distractions,

Its busyness to fade into the background and eventually dissolve altogether.

Because in this moment,

You are not rushing to be anywhere.

You're not rushing to do anything.

You're embracing calm and stillness.

And in this moment,

You are listening to me for a reason.

I'm so sorry your dog has passed away.

And you feel this deep sadness,

This emptiness,

This void.

Your dog has left you with something.

And I would like you to explore what that is.

What has your dog left you with?

As I say these words,

Notice what you are feeling.

What's coming up for you?

Notice what is rising to the surface in this moment and allow it to flow out.

Notice what is rising to the surface during this whole recording.

At any moment you feel it,

Allow it to flow out.

Your dog may no longer be here with you physically to see,

To touch,

To hear,

To smell,

To interact with.

But because of your deep bond,

There is a part of your dog that is still with you and will always be with you.

A deep change was created inside of you,

A shift because of your bond.

But what did your dog leave you with?

And just take a moment with this question and see if a feeling arises or maybe a thought or maybe an image or a sensation in your body.

Simply see if you can feel as you lay here in this relaxed state,

What that shift is deep inside you and where you feel it in your body.

As I said,

Maybe it's a sensation,

Maybe it's an emotion or a word or an image that comes to mind.

And if nothing comes up for you,

That's fine.

Sometimes this process takes time to sink in.

Take a few more big inhales and exhales and relax even deeper into this exploration.

And just be aware in these next few hours,

Days,

Weeks or months,

Have that question in your mind.

Something will come to you,

A gift your dog has left you with.

Our dogs can be like our angels,

Our teachers,

Because they can't speak in words.

They show us so much through their actions,

Their unconditional love,

Their ability to forgive instantly,

To make us laugh,

To get us out of the house,

All those walks and who was actually walking who,

If you really think about it.

We know we have feelings about our dog passing and eventually,

Once the deep sadness has moved and our focus becomes on our dog's life and moves away from their death,

What you are left with can never be taken away from you.

I know with my dog Lucy,

Once I went through the grieving process and that deep sadness I felt every single day gradually passed.

I still think about her a lot and when I do,

I tear up,

But I can also think about her and laugh because she has left me with so much.

I just take some big breaths.

Bring your awareness to your body and slowly.

You can open your eyes,

Wiggle your fingers and your toes.

Take a few cleansing breaths,

A big inhale through your nose,

Exhaling out your mouth.

You can listen to this recording as often as you like.

It's meant to bring new awarenesses to you.

It's like a reflection,

A looking and feeling inward for new information.

Please feel free to comment.

Tell me the story about your dog.

Thank you.

Bye.

Reviews

Tears come to me but so grateful we had Abbie for 15 years! The tail that always was wagging and hitting the door or wall! Her beautiful eyes so much love we were blessed. Thank you so much for this ❤️

Just what I needed to start the process of seeing the gifts that are underneath the grief. Although my heart still hurts, it’s also filled with a deeper awareness of the naming of the gifts my dog has given me. I am who I am, doing what I do, because his steady companionship over 13 years has kept me centered and in my heart and able to do things I would not have been able to do otherwise. He gave me the courage to step through fear into more love and did so at a time when I felt very uncertain and afraid. Sage was the dog who changed my life. Thanks to this guided meditation I can now hold onto that gift even though he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He waited until I could internalize the steadiness he brought me before moving on. He knew his job with me was complete. Now I get to honor him by continuing to share the gifts he helped to develop. Thank you, Sage.

Thank you for the beautiful meditation. I said goodbye to my best friend three days ago. My heart is shattered. He was my best friend, my soulmate in furry form. We understood each other on a level no one or thing ever has, just with one look. He knew me deeply, and I knew him the same. He brought me this unconditional love, and for that I am forever grateful. Experiencing the deep pain of this loss is hard, though I know it is the reflection of the deep love we shared. ❤️

One day. One moment. One breath at a time.

My sweet pup Maddie passed overnight in my lap 😢 . As I cradle her amidst my tears, I am grateful for your kindness 🙏

I am very grateful for your guided reflection. I am only a short couple weeks from having to make that horrendous decision to say goodbye to my boy, Hudson. He taught so much about patience, kindness, love, acceptance…all while having a variety of health issues. He brought me such joy and I am left with a huge weight of sadness and a void in my heart. I miss him terribly. Especially in the in the mornings when we had a very special time together…just the two of us greeting each day. He has left a tremendous imprint on my soul. I miss his presence and am looking for signs of him every day.

Thank you for this session. I needed it, though I ugly laughed/cried right in the middle at the "whos walking who". I'm utterly crushed at the lost of my 17 year old lab, Juno. She never left my side. I work from home so she's literally with me, all day, every day. Though I don't see it right now, and I am sure I will, I just can't see a way without her right now. I feel a huge part of me is gone.

Thank you, so much. Feeling great pain after my Myles was put down. Great sorrow and second guessing. Thank you for the question - “What did he give me?” Confidence. Reminding me that I mattered and that I was loved, needed, wanted, missed, and so much fun. He always knew I would come home and always elated on my return. He told me when it was time to stop working and start playing! Joyous, soulful, sassy, and kind, beautiful, and bold. That was/is Myles.

Thank you for this compassionate and enlightening meditation, so many tears! I lost my dear sweet Henry on 31 January and still struggling, his death has changed everything for me. This meditation showed me that Henry taught me to do what makes me happy no matter what others think, he had such funny ways and was misunderstood by many because he just loved to “talk” loudly 😀 and the one that got me most of all that I am worthy of unconditional love especially when I feel like I don’t deserve it! ❤️ 💔 🙏🏻

It was very nice to take some time and purposefully think about Eve and what she brought to our lives. Thank you.

Thank you! I will continue to ponder the gifts my dog gave me!

Thank you for this. My furry soulmate and stinky little Earth angel Tallulah Mae died in my arms almost a week ago. We shaped each other’s hearts and it sometimes feels like this deep sadness will never leave. I know it will, though. 💔💔💔

My beloved Sydney - a labradoodle who is going on 15 years - is leaving me this afternoon. I'm filled with grief and appreciated finding a meditation to bring me comfort during this difficult time. Thank you. 🙏

Thank you. We just lost our dog of 15yrs & 8 months a few hours ago. This brought us comfort

I am premature with my grief as my veterinary appointment is scheduled the day after tomorrow. My Sophie will be 20 years old, 12 days later. She's had a really good week and I'm riddled with guilt. I planned and hoped to let her pass naturally and weeks ago she was not doing well. Think her end in sight, I booked a flight to attend my sister's 70th Birthday (coincidentally the same date as my dog). Sophie has rallied, to the extent that a blind and deaf dog can. She eats well and seeks comfort in my presence. My pet sitter would come twice a day but in my absence that is not enough (I am retired and a homebody and tend to Sophie throughout the day). It was a logical decision and one of convenience to call the vet, made only because my departure is eminent. No one but me has any doubts about this decision. "It's Time" "It's the right thing to do". None of this comforts me except for the thought of letting her go on a high note, when she's having a good week. She is frail and her skin draped over sharp, boney points. My grief is on it's way. Today I seek strength and courage, forgiveness and absolution. My boyfriend brought her home the year before he died. "It's the last pup I'll ever have..." said the dying man. I've already sent our other three dogs to him. Twenty years is a very long time. I'm so sad.
Thank you.

My Bella passed away one month after her 18th birthday, this past February 18th. We got her at 6 months. She was a Jack Russell/Border Collie mix. Man could she play, run, protect, see and heal❣️when the day came to bring her home to join her ancestors, the day was grey and quite gloomy. She lost the ability to walk on her own, and was battling a tummy parasite that ultimately would be her last . I am so thankful for her. and her courage. We now have another Bella in our midst and she is everything our last Bella was, and is. I have no other words, due to profound sadness 🙌🏽

My baby G was the tiniest chihuahua but he was the biggest presence, a constant companion, taken too soon, my heart aches in agony. His unconditional love is forever in me.

Beautiful mediation, our dog Lucy who was just six years old died tragically recently. Your meditation is very healing to my heavy heat. I hope to share it with my husband.❤

I lost my precious standard Poodle, Zoey, last month. She was a rescue from a really bad home & with love, she became a therapy dog & helped so many people. The question “what did my dog leave me with” really brought me comfort once I thought of all the things she gave me through her life. Thank you.

Thank you for this little comfort at this devastating time. It's helpful to know that others have gone through this also Namaste

🙏🏽Thank you, I really needed this. May you and Lucy be with peace🕉