What are you doing tonight, she asked.
I’m going to walk my dog, I replied. But…you do not have a dog anymore, she said. She looked perplexed. Not in this physical world, I don’t. But I still have Moxie in my heart. As a matter of fact, I have all my dogs and cats in my heart, in the spiritual world, some may say.
I close my eyes and feel my physically departed pets with all my heart. I offer them all my love, just like I used to do when they were by my side on the couch.Their physical absence does not diminish the love I have for them. And it goes the other way around. They have the same love for me, from wherever they are.
I believe that their physical presence is just a very small piece of the enormous gift they gave me. I treasure the joy they brought me, the peace, the lessons I’ve learned. I met wonderful people because of them. I spent wonderful moments in nature with them. All of this is part of the big picture of having a pet. I appreciated the secrets I shared with them, the feeling of being loved and understood. I appreciated their ability to take me out of my head and immerse me in the present moment in precisely 3 seconds. All that mattered when they were alive. It is up to me to make it matter after they leave this physical world. To continue their legacy in the best way I can.
So tonight, yes, I’m going to walk my dog in the same place where we used to walk so many times. Except this time, she is in my heart. I will talk to her about my life and my day just like I used to do when she was alive. I will tell her about all the things that bring me joy. I continue doing what she showed me so many times: take breaks when I need, eat well, meet new people, laugh, play, be of service to others. In other words: live life to the fullest. Just like she did.