The Healing Corner: Catherine's Story

I want to help contribute to your blog. I think this is a wonderful idea! However, I am a terrible writer. But it got me thinking about loss and grief and the personal loss and grief I have experienced. I suppose I am lucky to not have experienced that sudden jarring loss that many others have experienced. I have lost grandparents and other relatives. I have also gone through the trauma of losing a pet very suddenly.


We lost our dog, Crosby, in Jan. 2004 to cancer. He was a real a-hole to other dogs but a wonderful companion at home. I cried and cried the day we had to put him to sleep. So I thought I would contribute something that sums up my feeling on being a pet owner. I found a great quote by Gene Hill that pretty much sums up how I feel about dogs and why I will always be a dog owner. So here it is:


He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me...whenever...wherever-in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog. - Gene Hill

editor's note: The Healing Corner is a section of this blog that is open for contributions from readers.  You can write about yourself, a loved one (with us or deceased), my mom, a pet, a particular time in your life, etc.  The sky's the limit with The Healing Corner.  I will gladly accept any form of writing (letter, story, poem, haiku,) and you are more than welcome to include pictures.  Your submittal can include your name, can remain anonymous, or can be accompanied with a pen name; it's entirely up to you.  All I ask is that the submission be from the heart. Thank you.

Send Submissions Here.