Shakti as a young man
The house has been quiet for the past month since Scooty left for the Rainbow Bridge. The competitive eating Ernie and Scooty used to enjoy– the Dinner Olympics — came to an abrupt end. In fact, Ernie has outright boycotted the premium kibble he used to race to eat, unless it is laced with a spoonful of cat food. Rico, The Boss Cat, lies around with his chin on his paws sleeping away his sadness. I wasn’t planning to get another dog yet, but fate doesn’t always work on our schedule.
Two weeks ago I learned a woman named Theresa Marie Gandhi, former wife of the great-nephew of Mahatma Gandhi, was near death. The word that she would be leaving behind a 16 year old, slightly pudgy and arthritic, deaf miniature Poodle trickeled down to me through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. I have hip replacement surgery coming up in a couple of months, and this is not an ideal time for me to add a new dog who is going through his own grief at losing his life-long companion.
Never one to let reason stand in the way of compassion, I drove to Whidbey Island today and met Shakti Paw. His human had died, and the tear stains around his eyes spoke of his loss. He is a little old man with a shaggy haircut, lumps and bumps, no hearing, bad breath, and as sweet a temperament as Scooty’s. To add to the mystique, his human mom was a woman who would probably have been a good friend if I had known her. She was an activist for environmental responsibility, she was a spiritual leader, and a writer. She rubbed elbows with world leaders, she met with Mother Theresa, she walked across the United States for peace. She was a woman of both global and local presence, and from all I can tell, she left the world a better place than she found it. And she left behind a sweet little zen dog called Shakti Paw Love Monkey who has now joined my family. We are blessed.
Technorati Tags: adopting a senior pet, healing from pet loss, pet grief
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It sounds like little Shakti Paw Love Monkey is right where he needs to be. Even though you may think the timing wasn’t right, I suppose the universe felt differently. However much time he has left I know he’s in good hands.
Namaste Beloved One
I am the friend of the friend who started the Shakti Paw outreach. THANK YOU for assisting so many with profound healing through this perfect adoption. May your hip surgery be blessed with ease, grace and rapid recovery as you are so lovingly sharing these gifts now for so many! The tears in my eyes flow with love and gratitude for your gift of following the heart. Many blessings of love!
Thank you Therese and Kira Raa. Shakti Paw is settling in well and showing more of his delightful personality. We are helping each other heal from our losses, but even more than that enjoying the beginnings of a new friendship. He’s such a lovely little spirit, we’re all benefitting from his presence in our lives.
Vicky, you just never stop amazing me. You are such a blessing not only to this little guy, but to your human pals who are always inspired by your never-ending supply of love.