Oh Cathie. I hate this. I'm so sorry about Sissy. What was it Winnie the Pooh said? How lucky am I to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Love to you ❤️🩹
A beautiful mantra! I often joke about rehoming our cats but I know I'd be gutted if they were gone. That you called her a pretty good dane is hysterical and so endearing. It captures the both/and of the work of pets. They add so much!
(I think it's the litter box and messes I won't miss)
What a heart-felt, magnificent tribute to Sissy and an insightful view of the how you are coping/dealing with her sudden death and the theology behind it. I mourn with you and Jeff, cathie. And I rejoice at your hopefulness for the future and a new dog.
If you do, in fact, meet Sissy in heaven, you got some explaining to do! Much love.
Receive my tears as they join with yours at the loss of your Sissy. You resurrected memories of last winter when my Chester looked into my eyes as the Dr inserted the IV line that would end his life. Such trust. Such unconditional love. So undeserved.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Fr. Cathie. Yes, a loss of a beloved pet cannot compare to the loss of a human, but pets have their own unique places in our hearts. I am so sorry for your loss and the grief you are feeling, and am praying for comfort for you.
I sat with this whole thing this morning and just let myself grieve a little with you. Sissy was clearly one of the good ones — a “pretty good” Dane earning her full title, the bathroom search-and-rescue captain, the world’s worst treat-hider. What a gift, to be loved by something that specific and that ridiculous.
I won’t tell you she’s waiting on the other side of a bridge — you already said you’d hug me for it anyway, so consider yourself hugged. But I love how you’ve made room for grief without needing it to be tidier or more theologically comfortable than it is. That’s real faith, not the greeting-card kind.
I keep thinking about you home today without her schedule running underneath everything — the walk, the lunch, the tug of the toy. That’s a strange, quiet grief, the loss of a rhythm. I’m not going to try to fill it with words. Just know Jeff and Sissy and you are held, and that I’m grateful — genuinely — that you let us all be a little wrong with you this week.
Thank you! A beautiful expression! Yes, lots of love, and who is this Author of Love. Even for the Sparrow that perched on her ear... There is a Special Place, just as there is Knowledge. God Bless Sissy! God Bless Sissy's loved ones. As you lose a hair, He knows which one, He who Loves. 🙏
I have not had the joy of a beloved pet, but I'm sure that their presence brings us much closer to John Wesley's preaching about unmerited (or free) grace. I think we could all use this constant, non-judgmental expression of love in our lives. Surely she brought you joy and blessings.
I feel your pain and heartbreak. I went through I very similar ordeal a few weeks ago when my 11 year chocolate lab, Halle, died suddenly (spleen - yes, cancer - yes). Like you guys it happened suddenly without much time to say goodbye. I have no doubt that dogs have souls, are placed into our lives on purpose, and will be part of our eternity. Peace!
We lost our Tilly on Memorial Day weekend 2017. Her pictures still come across my computer screen on different days of the year. At the time, I thought the pain might kill me. I hurt so bad...and I've buried both parents. Honestly, it still hurts. I don't know what it is about dogs? They just get under your skin and curl up right next to your heart. When they're gone, it just sucks.
God has not taken the hurt away, but he has made it possible for it to be carried. I know you understand this. It seems strange to offer up prayers to a cleric you don't even know...but here goes...I pray that the Infinite God of your understanding will sustain you and your family in this time of grief and loss, through the love of his son, our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now, cause I'm a guy, I must offer useless practical advice that you don't want...
Get off the computer for awhile and be with real people...be with your family and friends. That's where God's healing starts.
and I feel for your loss, as well. What is it about this pain? I agree, it feel like a knife in my stomach, all the time. the love is so pure, and its loss is so sharp.
Love to you ❤️❤️❤️ Been there like you weeping. It consoles me that she is stomping with St Francis and Seraphim and Julian of Norwich. We are all, beasts and peeps, in and with and of God.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking essay, Cathie — and those photos! I fell in love with her just from the photos! We lost a dog, a Golden Retriever, at the same age seven years ago, and I felt exactly the same grief you’re feeling now. So I know, at least in part, what you’re going through. It’s the strangest, weirdest feeling when you realize they won’t be coming around the corner anymore; that they’re just gone. I feel for you, big time 🫶
Oh Cathie. I hate this. I'm so sorry about Sissy. What was it Winnie the Pooh said? How lucky am I to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Love to you ❤️🩹
thank you.
our mantra right now: even one day with her brought more joy than this horrible pain could ever diminish.
A beautiful mantra! I often joke about rehoming our cats but I know I'd be gutted if they were gone. That you called her a pretty good dane is hysterical and so endearing. It captures the both/and of the work of pets. They add so much!
(I think it's the litter box and messes I won't miss)
Yes.
a long time ago, I adopted a 10 year old cat from the shelter, figuring he was unlikely to be adopted by anyone else. Tim.
I thought I'd do my good deed and he would have a few more years of life.
that cat lived to be 23! 13 more years!
He was really no trouble - but I used to jokingly say, 'It's time to cross the rainbow bridge, Tim. go to the light!'
Of course I was very sad when he died (not quite gutted like I am now).
but no more cats :)
Oh my gosh. 13 years. 😅😂
Oh Cathie, I weep with you feeling your pain and joy of loving your Sissy through every word.
thank you.
What a heart-felt, magnificent tribute to Sissy and an insightful view of the how you are coping/dealing with her sudden death and the theology behind it. I mourn with you and Jeff, cathie. And I rejoice at your hopefulness for the future and a new dog.
If you do, in fact, meet Sissy in heaven, you got some explaining to do! Much love.
ha! you’re right. she might be very disappointed in me.
thank you, my friend ❤️
Receive my tears as they join with yours at the loss of your Sissy. You resurrected memories of last winter when my Chester looked into my eyes as the Dr inserted the IV line that would end his life. Such trust. Such unconditional love. So undeserved.
thank you. and bless you in your own grief.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Fr. Cathie. Yes, a loss of a beloved pet cannot compare to the loss of a human, but pets have their own unique places in our hearts. I am so sorry for your loss and the grief you are feeling, and am praying for comfort for you.
😭😘🙏🏻
Here’s a warmer version:
Cathie,
I sat with this whole thing this morning and just let myself grieve a little with you. Sissy was clearly one of the good ones — a “pretty good” Dane earning her full title, the bathroom search-and-rescue captain, the world’s worst treat-hider. What a gift, to be loved by something that specific and that ridiculous.
I won’t tell you she’s waiting on the other side of a bridge — you already said you’d hug me for it anyway, so consider yourself hugged. But I love how you’ve made room for grief without needing it to be tidier or more theologically comfortable than it is. That’s real faith, not the greeting-card kind.
I keep thinking about you home today without her schedule running underneath everything — the walk, the lunch, the tug of the toy. That’s a strange, quiet grief, the loss of a rhythm. I’m not going to try to fill it with words. Just know Jeff and Sissy and you are held, and that I’m grateful — genuinely — that you let us all be a little wrong with you this week.
Hearts up, friend.
Whayne
thank you so much.
Rest in peace, Good Dog
What a beautiful dog and a beautiful story of both loss and hope. Prayers for you and your family and it's good to see you back here after your break.
Thank you! A beautiful expression! Yes, lots of love, and who is this Author of Love. Even for the Sparrow that perched on her ear... There is a Special Place, just as there is Knowledge. God Bless Sissy! God Bless Sissy's loved ones. As you lose a hair, He knows which one, He who Loves. 🙏
Those who have passed but whom we hold in our hearts and remember during the quiet times are never far from us.
Bless you and your family in your time of loss.
Thank you.
I have not had the joy of a beloved pet, but I'm sure that their presence brings us much closer to John Wesley's preaching about unmerited (or free) grace. I think we could all use this constant, non-judgmental expression of love in our lives. Surely she brought you joy and blessings.
SO much joy and so many blessings.
I feel your pain and heartbreak. I went through I very similar ordeal a few weeks ago when my 11 year chocolate lab, Halle, died suddenly (spleen - yes, cancer - yes). Like you guys it happened suddenly without much time to say goodbye. I have no doubt that dogs have souls, are placed into our lives on purpose, and will be part of our eternity. Peace!
thank you. and I’m sorry for your loss as well.
We lost our Tilly on Memorial Day weekend 2017. Her pictures still come across my computer screen on different days of the year. At the time, I thought the pain might kill me. I hurt so bad...and I've buried both parents. Honestly, it still hurts. I don't know what it is about dogs? They just get under your skin and curl up right next to your heart. When they're gone, it just sucks.
God has not taken the hurt away, but he has made it possible for it to be carried. I know you understand this. It seems strange to offer up prayers to a cleric you don't even know...but here goes...I pray that the Infinite God of your understanding will sustain you and your family in this time of grief and loss, through the love of his son, our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now, cause I'm a guy, I must offer useless practical advice that you don't want...
Get off the computer for awhile and be with real people...be with your family and friends. That's where God's healing starts.
thank you. I deeply appreciate your prayers.
and I feel for your loss, as well. What is it about this pain? I agree, it feel like a knife in my stomach, all the time. the love is so pure, and its loss is so sharp.
Exactly as I would have described it, “like a knife in the stomach.” I am truly sorry for your pain. You and your family are in my prayers.
thank you.
Love to you ❤️❤️❤️ Been there like you weeping. It consoles me that she is stomping with St Francis and Seraphim and Julian of Norwich. We are all, beasts and peeps, in and with and of God.
Thank you.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking essay, Cathie — and those photos! I fell in love with her just from the photos! We lost a dog, a Golden Retriever, at the same age seven years ago, and I felt exactly the same grief you’re feeling now. So I know, at least in part, what you’re going through. It’s the strangest, weirdest feeling when you realize they won’t be coming around the corner anymore; that they’re just gone. I feel for you, big time 🫶
thank you. it means a lot. I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved pup as well.
Jeff and I keep telling each other that the joy of just one day with her outweighs the pain we’re going through now. it’s still hard, though.