The last living Sparkler update (Abbie) is forthcoming — the life of her family is a busy one and the holidays are not the easiest time of year to generate updates. We look forward to seeing Abbie soon 🩷
There were nine puppies in the wonderful Sparkler litter and seven of the nine are now eight years old. Neither of the two who died had cancer. That is all actually pretty amazing.
Tika and Claire — the ones who had to leave the party too soon.
Someone named Scott recently left a comment on a blog post. He wrote, “It still breaks my heart to read how much of a lose Claire was to you.”
That comment meant so much to me. I felt seen — me and my wordless grief.
Wordless. Without words. That is how I still feel most of the time about Claire.
She should be here to celebrate being eight — so should Tika.
I say “should” as if I am owed something even as I know that I am not.
I may be wordless but my grief is not. It whispers to me all day long, inviting me to exist with Claire in my memories, to see her in photos and in the faces of her family — her mom, her children, and during this week — her siblings (thank you).
I did not know last year that this would be Claire’s final birthday photo.
My grief reminds me to take nothing for granted.
It is like a broken heart spills out perspective and gratitude along with the million tears.
A dog always leaves parting gifts.
We just have to find them.
Happy Heavenly Birthday to Tika and to my beloved and deeply missed Claire.
🌈🌈