This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Animals' Amazing Way to Help us Grieve

Our animal companions are our strength

Today is a sad day; this week has been a long week, tomorrow the wake and then Friday the funeral. Sunday I lost a dear friend of mine.  Yes, another victim of cancer.  Wife, mother and only 43 yrs old.

Sunday morning when I woke up I had a feeling this was going to be the day Diane would leave this earth.   My Boston terrier Lani knew also.

Lani by nature is extremely compassionate, she is very sweet and quite the cuddlier.   But Sunday was different.  Sunday Lani was more compassionate, more  affectionate.  She  jumped up into my bed and snuggled right next to me.  Normally, her routine is to run around in circles, jump on the bed, tackle me to get up and feed her, and then off we go on her morning walk.  But Sunday was different.   Lani just wanted to be next to me.  She  just wanted to kiss me and let me know it was going to be okay.

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 After a very long day anticipating the inevitable;  visits, talking with friends, that evening I got the phone call.   Diane passed away in her sleep.  She had now risen.

As I sat on the couch with the phone in hand, Lani felt my pain.  She immediately dove into my arms and licked away my tears.  She was there for me; she was determined to make it all better for me.   She knew her momma was sad and she knew I needed her.  Lani took the lead and became the healer.   

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although, Diane may no longer be with us, Lani’s little ways of showing compassion is a reminder life does go on.  Take your time and grieve but continue to move forward.  As I am writing this, yes, Lani is in my lap.  She is there for me, once again feeling my emotions.  Looking at me with those big brown eyes and her tiny Boston terrier tail wagging, Lani and I are now going to go on our morning walk.  We are going to enjoy every moment we have together and with her help, the rest of the week is going to be okay.    

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?