Condolances, Amigo. I't especially hard to have to say Goodbye to one we love, 2 or 4-legged, during this season of celebration and reaching for the coming Light beyond Solstace.

I greived more deeply for the passing of our little Yorkshire Terrier "Spike" (the day after Daughter's graduation from college) than I ever did for any human kin or associate yet (although thankfully have Spouse, child and siblings intact). There is a certain unconditional love and consistant, reliable affection we come to count on from our animal friends, isn't there?

One observation; may it comfort you as it has us:

Although one dear point of light in our chamber has flickered, and faded, and winked (or been snuffed) out; darkness need not prevail. Although one light has passed from our sight, Light, Life, and Love endure eternally. In abundance they await the cloistered heart -whenever it be ready- to strike another match, open another window. We will have been enriched by the former Light, and nurtured, encouraged, and illumined in the latter.

The objects of our affection, be they animal or human, can be bearers of much Light; I have found it to be profitable to remember, however, that none of us here are likely to be sources of much of it; the best we can hope for, I humbly opine, is to be fairly efficient conductors of it. Thus although we suffer the loss of our light, Light is not lost. No two living lanterns are quite the same, and the light cast upon, or from, our hearts might never be just like that known before... but light of a different hue or intensity sure beats a heart consigned to darkness.

Love sure is one of the riskiest things we do; The more we open, and give ourselves to Love, the harder the heartbreak, the sharper the pain when our Beloved is taken. In the case of an animal whose natural life-expectancy is less than our own, it's pretty much a given that that's just what's going to happen sooner or later. But I've always found the endeavor to be worth it, in the end.

There is a ledgend that goes around this time of year about a star that shone unexpectedly in darkness a couple of Millennia ago, and brought surprising hope of new Life, Light and Love... might not be a bad image to contemplate.

No doubt there is a little kitty cooped up in a shelter near you whose days are numbered, whose tiny light is not long without a home, who could sure use any leftover Light from somebody's heart if they had any to spare. I think one might find that any such investment might bear considerable returns.

I'll give little Maggie MacGhee and Angus McBaer (Yorkie-Poos) an extra hug for ye, Mate, and no doubt they'll send ye back a slobbery little "kiss". Gotta luvvum while ya gottum, for sure.

Peace and Healing

UJ