Grace Everlasting
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." – Dr. Seuss
Beginnings and Endings
The first time I saw Grace was at a dog sanctuary nestled against the Sandia Mountains. My good friend Faith had asked me to help socialize a group of dogs recently rescued from a hoarding situation in Rowe, NM.
I spent two hours trying to befriend one dog to no avail. As I was about to leave, a wet snout brushed against my hand. When I looked down, two soulful eyes met mine—just for a moment—before the white dog darted away.
The last time I saw Grace, her nose touched mine and our eyes met—just before she closed them forever.
It’s been a week since we said goodbye to our beloved girl. The grief has felt heart-wrenching. Some days I wish I could avoid the heartache. And yet, after a night of sobs and half-dreams have ebbed, I recognize this is the way of loss. Like water carving its path through a canyon, the force may feel untamable, but there is profound beauty in its wake.
Love is the Answer
I used to face loss by sequestering myself and bearing it alone. Not anymore.
Today, I find my greatest solace in the love of others. Flowers, cards, meals, a sapling, phone calls, artwork, donations in Grace’s name, and cherished visits from treasured friends - gifts of so many kinds have nourished us during this tender time. No words will ever adequately convey our deep gratitude for all of this kindness.
But what we didn’t anticipate—and has profoundly moved us—is the outpouring of love for Grace and the lessons her life has taught so many about the power of the human-animal bond. Over the past seven days, I’ve received hundreds of emails, texts, and messages sharing how much Grace was loved from afar and how her journey inspired others and made their life better.
I love writing these posts and sharing them with you, but at times, I’ve wondered if they are beneficial. After reading all of your messages–I no longer have this doubt.
It pains me to think of Grace’s early days spent unloved and neglected. When I stumble upon early pictures of her in the hoarder’s barn, I see a dog whose spirit seems crushed. But to witness her transformation, and the many hearts she has moved, makes my heart burst. Not from heartache–but from joy.
Memories of Grace
I think of my girl constantly.
I’ll never forget her beaming grin as she bolted toward me after being lost in the wilderness. Or the first time she finally ran with the other dogs at the dog park—after a month of staying glued to my side. How she loved to ride in my car—whether it was a quick trip to the grocery store or a long drive to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. And our quiet excitement when she jumped on our bed for the first time and lay between us, sleeping peacefully for the rest of the night.
My mind plays the movie strip of her life on a projector that seems to run 24/7. At first it felt like I was watching a tear-jerker. But now, I’m smiling a lot more than crying.
Ken and I have committed to grieving consciously–allowing ourselves to feel whatever emotions surface rather than pushing them away. By not grasping or dismissing the grief, we are finding ourselves in a world that increasingly celebrates Grace’s life rather than mourns her loss.
Grace and I lived a rich life together. But does it end because she is no longer with us?
Where Does Pawsitive Impact Go from Here?
I don’t fully know.
What is certain is that just because my beloved Grace is not in her physical form, that doesn’t mean she’s stopped teaching me how to live healthier and happier.
Quite the opposite.
Gratitude, joy, forgiveness, friendship, compassion, unconditional love–are just a few of the qualities Grace has deepened my understanding of during our time together. And based on the messages you’ve shared, she has inspired you just a little bit too.
I’ll honor my dog by continuing to write Pawsitive Impact because I believe in the power of the human-animal bond to teach us how to embrace our humanity in a deeper way. In the months ahead I’ll be exploring these connections even more.
If you’re an animal lover, I hope you’ll continue to join me on this journey.
Stay Healthy & Stay Pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO 💜
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