Living Love

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. You will look at your long time friend and see age where you once saw youth. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. You will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you. But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that his soul seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

You will remember those three significant days. The memory will be painful, and leave an ache in your heart---As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you.

But there will be a fourth day when---along with the memory of your pet---and piercing through the heaviness in your heart---there will come a realization that belongs only to you, that takes the form of a Living Love---like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone.