Last week, the second of my two canine companions departed the Earthly realm. This is a photo tribute to them both, with a few stories from our journey.
Much love to you. A house without a dog is an echo chamber. They give us some amazing gifts and have so much to teach us about living in family groups.
Thank you for the excellent care you gave them, especially the nutrition and good, real food. And for letting him pass on his own. They have much to teach us about dying as well. Big hugs!
Sometimes we are lucky enough for them to come back around. Sometimes they send a fellow canine emissary so we have somewhere to pour our love.
Dearest Eric~Your moving tribute to your fur-family was so present and vivid, we were immediately invited into your collective emotional and physical world~including the depth of love and stability you three clearly shared. That level of loving is both transcendent and permanent. It doesn't go anywhere~even though we might. May that knowledge bring you comfort and joy.
I’ve been without my babies since May 11 of this year. They gave me so much, but I don’t know if I can do it again. I just don’t cope well with loss. Does anyone?
I am touched by your beautiful tribute to your canine companions and share with you a respect that honors the unique qualities and precious spirit they bring to our lives. The dogs that I have been blessed to call family throughout my life have been some of my very best friends- they have taught me how to communicate without words, I have found this skill to be an invaluable tool in many ways. My thoughts are with you as you learn to navigate your journey without them- as you have shared in your story, they have a way of finding us and I am sure that will happen when the time is right. ❤️
Beautifully written. My dog is a mixed breed of beagle, basset hound with a pinch of springer, sniffing things is his domain. Funny thing, I love his smell too, its some sortof tobacco-earthy smell. I thought I was the only one.... So much to learn from them, and vice versa. I call it my interspecies relationship, it is funny we can communicate at all. He is always clear in his communication, its up to me to get it. My condolences.
Oh Eric, may the blessings of grief rain down on you, as they always do. I have loved and lost so many dogs through the years. Sometimes tragically, sometimes through the simple gravity of old age. The loss of them always brought me to my knees. Your vivid writing of Jonah and Henrietta let me get right up close to them as if I too knew something visceral about how they loved, lived and smelled. I look forward to hearing about what you find on the other side of this descent, as the promise is usually an expansion. Your weekly 'conversation' that I tune in to as often as I can brings me a lot of joy. thank you so much for being a member of my household from afar.
It was lovely and touching reading your tribute to Henrietta
and Jonas. Two beautiful dog souls you had the privilege to know and share a bit of life path with. You brought so much to each other. I’ve also had the pain of loosing a four legged friend. May they travel well to their next spot and may you grieve smoothly and gently.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such a moving tribute. All 3 of you were obviously meant to be true companions for each other!
I don’t have dogs anymore, but my Angel Pup, Perry, looked so much like Henrietta, it was if he was nudging me to take a closer look... I am rethinking what I feed my cats now too.
anything but cat food. they too can eat pumpkin, fish, chicken, bone broth, sweet potato...they don't actually need taurine but you can supplement if you think they do. since the commercial feeds are somewhat addictive, there may be a transition...
Thank you so much for the advice! I agree, there will be a transition... probably a “food strike” and hairballs in my shoes, but returning the gifts of well being they have brought to me is worth the effort and sacrifices to make the shift.
My canines and I would eat out of the same pot. Fortunately, I like boiled dark meat chicken. Plain Jane, not so much fat, no carbs needed except for treats...kitties eat entrails first when they catch someone...if that offers a clue.
Well, that entrail hint solves my longtime dilemma against buying whole chickens because of the wasted parts... and they do love a good pate. The “Kiki’s” may not throw as much of a tantrum as I thought. 🙏💖
If I find some winner recipes I will be sure to tag you so you can share them with your readers.
No spices, salt or seasoning. Very plain. The question will be the consistency and moisture level that works for her - how much broth to meat, ground or chopped, etc. Yes organ meats are excellent...also things like chowder fish from the supermarket is cheap...and canned pumpkin works for cats and dogs.
I switched my feline-familiar kitty companion’s diet last year.
The simple rule- hungry cat will eat.
My other top tip, for getting a kitty into a new diet, is to set up a play time.
My kitty, Bith, likes to rev up with a laser chase and get her into stalk mode, once revved up for the hunt, I move the laser onto one of her toys, which she can then catch and ‘kill’.
By fulfilling her raw cat nature, she’ll happily eat any offering she has ‘caught’
Cats' raw instinct is built to stalk, hunt, catch, kill and then eat- also groom, and sleep. Then repeat. Fulfil the raw cat instincts with playtime, and any diet change will be a treat after they have ‘killed it’ for themselves.
Nov 2, 2023·edited Nov 4, 2023Liked by Eric Francis Coppolino
As a devoted fur parent, separating from our devoted followers is the worst experience of all the losses of life (numerous and destabilizing in their own impact.) Our pain is unique and individual yet helped to be seen and heard, to be witnessed. Your pain is witnessed, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing their beautiful stories. And your inspiring adventures. It’s so hard to lose them. A part of them will always be in your heart. My condolences to you.
Much love to you. A house without a dog is an echo chamber. They give us some amazing gifts and have so much to teach us about living in family groups.
Thank you for the excellent care you gave them, especially the nutrition and good, real food. And for letting him pass on his own. They have much to teach us about dying as well. Big hugs!
Sometimes we are lucky enough for them to come back around. Sometimes they send a fellow canine emissary so we have somewhere to pour our love.
Dearest Eric~Your moving tribute to your fur-family was so present and vivid, we were immediately invited into your collective emotional and physical world~including the depth of love and stability you three clearly shared. That level of loving is both transcendent and permanent. It doesn't go anywhere~even though we might. May that knowledge bring you comfort and joy.
Loved reading this.
Dogs are the best. An old saying is one can only hope to live up to your dog's view of you.
I'm glad you were able to have that much time with them.
How wonderful that you had them! I'm so sorry for your loss.....
I’ve been without my babies since May 11 of this year. They gave me so much, but I don’t know if I can do it again. I just don’t cope well with loss. Does anyone?
I am touched by your beautiful tribute to your canine companions and share with you a respect that honors the unique qualities and precious spirit they bring to our lives. The dogs that I have been blessed to call family throughout my life have been some of my very best friends- they have taught me how to communicate without words, I have found this skill to be an invaluable tool in many ways. My thoughts are with you as you learn to navigate your journey without them- as you have shared in your story, they have a way of finding us and I am sure that will happen when the time is right. ❤️
Beautifully written. My dog is a mixed breed of beagle, basset hound with a pinch of springer, sniffing things is his domain. Funny thing, I love his smell too, its some sortof tobacco-earthy smell. I thought I was the only one.... So much to learn from them, and vice versa. I call it my interspecies relationship, it is funny we can communicate at all. He is always clear in his communication, its up to me to get it. My condolences.
Oh Eric, may the blessings of grief rain down on you, as they always do. I have loved and lost so many dogs through the years. Sometimes tragically, sometimes through the simple gravity of old age. The loss of them always brought me to my knees. Your vivid writing of Jonah and Henrietta let me get right up close to them as if I too knew something visceral about how they loved, lived and smelled. I look forward to hearing about what you find on the other side of this descent, as the promise is usually an expansion. Your weekly 'conversation' that I tune in to as often as I can brings me a lot of joy. thank you so much for being a member of my household from afar.
Hello Lisa thank you 💕🦋
It was lovely and touching reading your tribute to Henrietta
and Jonas. Two beautiful dog souls you had the privilege to know and share a bit of life path with. You brought so much to each other. I’ve also had the pain of loosing a four legged friend. May they travel well to their next spot and may you grieve smoothly and gently.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience in such a moving tribute. All 3 of you were obviously meant to be true companions for each other!
I don’t have dogs anymore, but my Angel Pup, Perry, looked so much like Henrietta, it was if he was nudging me to take a closer look... I am rethinking what I feed my cats now too.
anything but cat food. they too can eat pumpkin, fish, chicken, bone broth, sweet potato...they don't actually need taurine but you can supplement if you think they do. since the commercial feeds are somewhat addictive, there may be a transition...
Thank you so much for the advice! I agree, there will be a transition... probably a “food strike” and hairballs in my shoes, but returning the gifts of well being they have brought to me is worth the effort and sacrifices to make the shift.
My canines and I would eat out of the same pot. Fortunately, I like boiled dark meat chicken. Plain Jane, not so much fat, no carbs needed except for treats...kitties eat entrails first when they catch someone...if that offers a clue.
Well, that entrail hint solves my longtime dilemma against buying whole chickens because of the wasted parts... and they do love a good pate. The “Kiki’s” may not throw as much of a tantrum as I thought. 🙏💖
If I find some winner recipes I will be sure to tag you so you can share them with your readers.
No spices, salt or seasoning. Very plain. The question will be the consistency and moisture level that works for her - how much broth to meat, ground or chopped, etc. Yes organ meats are excellent...also things like chowder fish from the supermarket is cheap...and canned pumpkin works for cats and dogs.
what sweet peas . . . all three of you xo
I switched my feline-familiar kitty companion’s diet last year.
The simple rule- hungry cat will eat.
My other top tip, for getting a kitty into a new diet, is to set up a play time.
My kitty, Bith, likes to rev up with a laser chase and get her into stalk mode, once revved up for the hunt, I move the laser onto one of her toys, which she can then catch and ‘kill’.
By fulfilling her raw cat nature, she’ll happily eat any offering she has ‘caught’
Cats' raw instinct is built to stalk, hunt, catch, kill and then eat- also groom, and sleep. Then repeat. Fulfil the raw cat instincts with playtime, and any diet change will be a treat after they have ‘killed it’ for themselves.
Damn that’s brilliant!!! Would never have thought of that but it makes all the sense in the world!!! 😊
As a devoted fur parent, separating from our devoted followers is the worst experience of all the losses of life (numerous and destabilizing in their own impact.) Our pain is unique and individual yet helped to be seen and heard, to be witnessed. Your pain is witnessed, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing their beautiful stories. And your inspiring adventures. It’s so hard to lose them. A part of them will always be in your heart. My condolences to you.
Big hugs! They are always so preciously giving their love when loved.
much love at this tender time x
Beautiful homage to your canines and love
I am so sorry that your house is quiet now and that you are missing the joy and comfort dogs give to us.