Pawprints On My Heart
By Michelle Hoffman
In almost every photo of my childhood, there’s a dachshund. Graduations, parties, Christmases…a dachshund. Little long bodies with short legs waiting for me to drop crumbs, forget a dirty sock on the floor, or jump on my lap for a back scratch. Even today, I have 2 waiting to steal my socks. Our previous furbaby was Baby, a sassy sweet dachshund who was very flexible, often being caught sitting like a human. I will never forget the day I met her as a puppy, the runt of her litter, running over to me while tripping on her black velvet ears that were too long for her 3-pound body. We fell in love instantly.
Baby saved the day countless times, either by alerting us to my Granny’s low glucose, waking family when my mom needed help, and jumping on us until we picked her up when we felt distressed. She grieved with us when my Granny and mom died. In the last few years of her life, she began losing her eyesight and hearing, but her puppy spirit came out when she could feel us by her.
Baby moved in with my husband and me right before the COVID-19 pandemic. We supported one another, Baby wanting to be near me to show her love while she was my sweet distraction during the pandemic. When we were informed about her progressive lymphoma, my husband and I made the difficult decision to embrace her during her euthanization. Despite everyone being in masks, our vet staff allowed us to unmask to kiss her and talk to her about how much we loved her. Our warmth surrounded her while we held her close. With her last breath, we wailed in sorrow, feeling her spirit leave us. Vet staff gave us time alone with her, but I saw all of them crying with us. She was special to them as well. She touched so many lives over the years, not just our family.
The grief comes in waves now, even while writing this. I am comforted by the fact that we honored our promise to show her nothing but love in our home, her little paradise. It felt like a betrayal to Baby to consider adopting another dog, but eventually we adopted 2 sister dachshunds, Darcy and Rylie, who have several of Baby’s traits that we cherished, and some that were trouble, such as stealing my socks. I don’t regret it as I feel Baby’s spirit around them. We keep her ashes in our home, but one day will reunited Baby with my mom and Granny where they are buried. In her own way, she brought us our girls to make sure we weren’t alone. Baby did what any best friend would do and what she was the best at – loving and protecting her people, her family.
The following online or in person resources may offer helpful comfort and support as you grieve and recover from the loss of your beloved pet.
* ASPCA Pet Loss Helpline: 877-GRIEF-10 (877-474-3310)
* Lap of Love Pet Loss and Bereavement Resource Hotline: 855-352-LOVE (5683)
* Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB): www.aplb.org
* Virginia Pet Loss Resources: https://www.pet-loss.net/resources/VA.shtml
* Your veterinarian may also have support resources
Many opportunities to memorialize the love of your pet are available. Here are just a few:
* Eulogy for your pet in a small memorial with those that loved your pet
* Your vet may provide paw prints that could be framed
* Tattoo with their ashes
* Photo montage of their happiest moments
* Journal your favorite memories of them to read in the future
* Spread their ashes in a grassy spot they loved to play on
* Ashes or fur could be placed in a charm to wear
* Donate money, pet food, or your pet’s possessions to a shelter, animal rescue, the Humane Society or the ASCPA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.
When a much loved animal dies, it goes to Rainbow Bridge. It runs and plays with special friends, in the rolling meadows and hills. There, animals are restored to health and vigor, just as we remember them. They are happy and content, but still miss the special people they have left behind.
There comes a day when a frolicking pet suddenly stops and looks into the distance. With bright eyes and eager body, it spots you and begins to run from its friends. Reunited, you embrace in a shower of happy tears and kisses. You look into the eyes of your beloved pet and realize that your love for each other will always live on.
Finally together, you cross the Rainbow Bridge.
“Inspired by a Norse Legend”
Just like a loss of a relative or friend, the grief of a pet loss will come in waves throughout your life. Give yourself grace and take a moment to reminisce about the silly times, holding them, or watching them explore. Honor what all they gave you, and think of what they would say to you: “You gave me a happy home where I could be free to explore the world, dream with you, be there for you, treasure every second with you, and be furever yours…you gave me a world of love.” They eagerly wait for the day that their special person, YOU, run to them across that Rainbow Bridge.
Haven of Northern Virginia, Inc.
4606 Ravensworth Road
Annandale, Virginia 22003