Grieving

“Be the person your dog thinks you are.” – C.J. Frick

As I sit here and type this, doesn’t feel like a week has past since my heart was ripped from this world. Many who know me know that my dog Conner was my best friend. When I picked him up from the animal shelter near my college 12 years ago, I didn’t know the impact that little scamp would have on me.

I struggle with many things in life and the majority of my adult life has been with Conner by my side, helping me through those struggles. They say dogs will imprint on their owners when the bond is so strong that they couldn’t live without them. Well, I feel it goes the other way around. I’ve never felt a love like I did with this dog.

Everyone goes through trials and tribulations. You graduate college. You break up with your college boyfriend. You go through depression. You get your first adult job. You move back in with your parents. You move overseas. You get your heart broken. You break other’s hearts. You make friends. You lose friends. You lose family members. You find the love of your life. You marry them. You add to your family. You find your dream job.

All dog owners know that the day will come when they have to say good bye, but we’re never ready for it.

I look back at the life I had with Conner, and to be honest, I’m scared of what my life will be like without him. But I know the life I had with him was wonderful and so special. I know I’ll carry on. New trials and tribulations will happen. But I can’t think of a moment without him. He always knew how I was feeling. And he was always there, even when no one else was.

It takes time to heal, but for now, I’m grieving.

I move forward trying to be the person he thought I was.

Below are photos that show what a full life he had on our adventures. 12 years. 4 countries. An eternity of loving you, sweet boy.