My eyes are wet, my heart is full. My Momo was Kindle (the Wonderdog) She was a beautiful black and white border collie like Momo, and smart as a whip. People would ask me where she was when she wasn't by my side. We shared what I believe to be a similar relationship to yours with Momo. we went on road trips just the two of us and a few trips with others. The one-on-one times were my favorite. She saw me through both Obama elections, my son going off to college, attentive care when my mom moved in with us and then when my mom going off to heaven. It's been 18 months since she died. My wonderful mobile vet came and he cried too. He helped me with a small ceremony as she passed on. I have a sweet pup in my life now, Hachi and she's a lovely little creature, but Kindle was my partner, my sidekick, my partner in crime, my dear heart. I'm fully crying now. I miss her so much. She will always and forever be in my heart. My beautiful son lives in Vancouver. He's the first one to introduce me to your books. I hope you'll have a reading when I'm up there next time. Thanks Andrew. To you and to Momo. Warmly, Melissa
Thank you Andrew, for posting this again. I saved your original email back in 2021, as I was starting to see the signs in my own senior dog of his health declining. I found out a few weeks ago that he has a large mass in his chest and doesn’t have too much longer with me. Watching you move through the stages and how you’ve adjusted in your time since Momo has helped give me the strength to be able to move through this next phase. I actually listed to the Senior Dog podcast you had recommended this morning. So fitting that this email came though today. What a strange way the world works, giving you the things you don’t know you need until you really need it. Just wanted to give extra thanks to you today. Sending you, Boo, and Yaya lots of love. <3
At some point, you should consider a newsletter about how your grief evolved, if you’d ever be willing to share it. I know it’s very personal and different to all, so no pressure.
I lost my heart dog at the end of 2020 after a cancer journey. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. The pain has remained the same, but I’ve learned to grow around it.
Thank you so very much for sharing this again. Such wisdom and grace and love and a roadmap in these words that are healing even now for the loss of my 'Momo' back in Africa in 1995. We traveled as you and Momo did crossing the Atlantic many times together and your words capture such truth. Thank you.
I didn't read this the first time you posted it, as at that time I didn't follow your magazine, but I have always loved the Momo books. I too have a Border Collie that turned 12 this month and I love him with all my heart and soul. I know the inevitable is going to happen and I am trying to prepare myself in some way, but honestly, it terrifies me and I don't know if I can be in this world without him in my life. I'm afraid the grief will be unbearable. I'm going to save this and read it often as I think it will help me in the future. Thank you, Andrew. This willl be a great source of solace for me
Bonjour Andrew désolée je parle en français, c’est plus simple pour moi d’exprimer mes sentiments. Merci pour cette lettre maintenant, je pense que la Vie apporte ce genre de choses au bon moment. Je viens de perdre ma gentille gentille golden retriever Island, vendredi 12 janvier. Elle avait 10 ans. J’ai pris la décision de l’euthanasier. Je voulais juste partager mon expérience. La décision a été très dure à prendre car pour Moi je voulais qu’elle reste mais je l’ai fait pour elle, par amour pour elle. L’euthanasie, a été en elle même, dure mais pas si dure que ça car elle est partie endormie et elle était si paisible. Bien évidemment j’ai beaucoup pleuré pendant l’acte. Mais le plus dur, c’est le ´Apres’, cette absence, cette solitude que l’on éprouve, à ne plus voir sa chienne venir réclamer un petit gâteau… Bien évidemment les 2 derniers mois, elle n’était plus Elle. J’ai énormément de mal à accepter son absence, je pleure, je suis en colère, j’espère qu’elle va revenir, je me demande pourquoi elle est partie. Elle m’a beaucoup épaulé cette année 2023, elle était ma bouée de sauvetage, un chien ne te juge pas, il t’accepte comme tu es. Le ´Apres’ est vraiment dur. Ma fille de 7 ans veut de nouveau un chien. Elle n’a pas eu de chagrin, bien évidemment chaque individu est différent. Je veux un nouveau golden retriever mais pas de suite, je n’ai pas fait mon deuil. Elle m’a tellement apporté.
Je sais maintenant aussi pourquoi elle est partie, chaque chien qui part veut nous faire comprendre des choses. Et moi je l’ai bien compris. Elle me manque, je renifle même ses affaires pour sentir son odeur pour tout vous dire !!!
Le plus dur aussi est le regard des autres, l’absence d’empathie pour toi car pour eux ce ne sont juste des animaux mais pas du tout !!! Ils vous apportent tellement.
Cette petite confession je le fais pour toi Island, merci ma Island, d’avoir été dans ma vie, de m’avoir fait découvrir ce qu’il y avait à l’intérieur de moi.
Merci encore pour tout ma gentille golden retriever.
Island est ma 2e golden mais c’est vraiment elle , le chien de ma VIE. Celui qui te fait comprendre tu es à l’intérieur de toi et comment tu dois devenir.
Merci Andrew, la vie est bien faite parfois, y’a lettre arrive juste au bon moment.
Thanks for sharing this one again. It made me cry less the second time reading it than the first. I felt your loss when Momo passed in my own anticipatory grief. I thought my dog would be close behind. We actually got two more years together, me and Scooter, until he passed on our 6th friendiversary on November 29th last year. There's no loss quite like that of a best friend.
Thank you for these words! I just lost my own Momo a few days ago and reading this seems like a little hug from Momo (the finding Momo). Truly from my heart, thank you
The quote about grief and praise is something I've held on to ever since reading it in your Instagram post about Momo's passing. It's such a beautiful way to think about love. Grief is a strange animal, yet it is comforting in that it allows us to honor our best memories of those whom we've lost. Thanks for sharing this again today.
I remember reading this column 2 1/2 years ago and I wept all over again looking at the photos of Momo by the river and then running toward the rainbow. We lost our own sweet Tagg 3 months later to metastatic cancer and you are correct in saying that grief looks different for all of us but it is inevitable. Thank you for your writings and for sharing your wisdom and love of dogs. I aspire to be as wonderful a dog owner as you are.
I look over when I'm driving, and my mind expects Dino to be there but he isn't. But to confront it more times allows me to just understand that his 15 years was up and he's always going to be a part of our family. The sadness and tears don't come as much. New triggers will feel stronger like walking a path we used to walk together. I lost Oscar over 20 years ago. So I know the pain subsides but doesn't go away. Sparks of these memories will emerge like playing an old movie. But if I stay on it long enough, tears will flow. I tell myself they wouldn't want the sadness, so move on and be happy they were there than not. Also, imaging their spirits are around helps think the live on.
I read this newsletter back in 2021 and have thought about it many times since then. I loved following along on you and Mimi’s adventures and now Boo and Yaya. Thank you for sharing again, Andrew.
I lost a human friend in 2015, she was only 26 years old and she had to have a very invasive surgery, and her body did not recover from it. And it was a very difficult moment, but I learned how to grieve and accept it. When my dog died in 2020, however, it was harder, because he was sick in more than one way, and there was nothing to be done, so I had no choice but to wait. I did my best to take care of him, but it felt like I could have done more. I had to accept the fact that it was inevitable, and that the best thing I did was be there with him, enjoy every moment that I had with him. And I still cry when I think about that, it still weighs heavy. Both deaths marked me for life, but it has come to a point where the good memories take precedence over the sadness at the very end.
Very beautiful written, I teared up a bit. I have a Border collie too, his is 13 years old now, so your words felt very present , and helpful too. Thanks 💚.
My eyes are wet, my heart is full. My Momo was Kindle (the Wonderdog) She was a beautiful black and white border collie like Momo, and smart as a whip. People would ask me where she was when she wasn't by my side. We shared what I believe to be a similar relationship to yours with Momo. we went on road trips just the two of us and a few trips with others. The one-on-one times were my favorite. She saw me through both Obama elections, my son going off to college, attentive care when my mom moved in with us and then when my mom going off to heaven. It's been 18 months since she died. My wonderful mobile vet came and he cried too. He helped me with a small ceremony as she passed on. I have a sweet pup in my life now, Hachi and she's a lovely little creature, but Kindle was my partner, my sidekick, my partner in crime, my dear heart. I'm fully crying now. I miss her so much. She will always and forever be in my heart. My beautiful son lives in Vancouver. He's the first one to introduce me to your books. I hope you'll have a reading when I'm up there next time. Thanks Andrew. To you and to Momo. Warmly, Melissa
Thank you Andrew, for posting this again. I saved your original email back in 2021, as I was starting to see the signs in my own senior dog of his health declining. I found out a few weeks ago that he has a large mass in his chest and doesn’t have too much longer with me. Watching you move through the stages and how you’ve adjusted in your time since Momo has helped give me the strength to be able to move through this next phase. I actually listed to the Senior Dog podcast you had recommended this morning. So fitting that this email came though today. What a strange way the world works, giving you the things you don’t know you need until you really need it. Just wanted to give extra thanks to you today. Sending you, Boo, and Yaya lots of love. <3
At some point, you should consider a newsletter about how your grief evolved, if you’d ever be willing to share it. I know it’s very personal and different to all, so no pressure.
I lost my heart dog at the end of 2020 after a cancer journey. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. The pain has remained the same, but I’ve learned to grow around it.
Thank you so very much for sharing this again. Such wisdom and grace and love and a roadmap in these words that are healing even now for the loss of my 'Momo' back in Africa in 1995. We traveled as you and Momo did crossing the Atlantic many times together and your words capture such truth. Thank you.
I didn't read this the first time you posted it, as at that time I didn't follow your magazine, but I have always loved the Momo books. I too have a Border Collie that turned 12 this month and I love him with all my heart and soul. I know the inevitable is going to happen and I am trying to prepare myself in some way, but honestly, it terrifies me and I don't know if I can be in this world without him in my life. I'm afraid the grief will be unbearable. I'm going to save this and read it often as I think it will help me in the future. Thank you, Andrew. This willl be a great source of solace for me
Bonjour Andrew désolée je parle en français, c’est plus simple pour moi d’exprimer mes sentiments. Merci pour cette lettre maintenant, je pense que la Vie apporte ce genre de choses au bon moment. Je viens de perdre ma gentille gentille golden retriever Island, vendredi 12 janvier. Elle avait 10 ans. J’ai pris la décision de l’euthanasier. Je voulais juste partager mon expérience. La décision a été très dure à prendre car pour Moi je voulais qu’elle reste mais je l’ai fait pour elle, par amour pour elle. L’euthanasie, a été en elle même, dure mais pas si dure que ça car elle est partie endormie et elle était si paisible. Bien évidemment j’ai beaucoup pleuré pendant l’acte. Mais le plus dur, c’est le ´Apres’, cette absence, cette solitude que l’on éprouve, à ne plus voir sa chienne venir réclamer un petit gâteau… Bien évidemment les 2 derniers mois, elle n’était plus Elle. J’ai énormément de mal à accepter son absence, je pleure, je suis en colère, j’espère qu’elle va revenir, je me demande pourquoi elle est partie. Elle m’a beaucoup épaulé cette année 2023, elle était ma bouée de sauvetage, un chien ne te juge pas, il t’accepte comme tu es. Le ´Apres’ est vraiment dur. Ma fille de 7 ans veut de nouveau un chien. Elle n’a pas eu de chagrin, bien évidemment chaque individu est différent. Je veux un nouveau golden retriever mais pas de suite, je n’ai pas fait mon deuil. Elle m’a tellement apporté.
Je sais maintenant aussi pourquoi elle est partie, chaque chien qui part veut nous faire comprendre des choses. Et moi je l’ai bien compris. Elle me manque, je renifle même ses affaires pour sentir son odeur pour tout vous dire !!!
Le plus dur aussi est le regard des autres, l’absence d’empathie pour toi car pour eux ce ne sont juste des animaux mais pas du tout !!! Ils vous apportent tellement.
Cette petite confession je le fais pour toi Island, merci ma Island, d’avoir été dans ma vie, de m’avoir fait découvrir ce qu’il y avait à l’intérieur de moi.
Merci encore pour tout ma gentille golden retriever.
Island est ma 2e golden mais c’est vraiment elle , le chien de ma VIE. Celui qui te fait comprendre tu es à l’intérieur de toi et comment tu dois devenir.
Merci Andrew, la vie est bien faite parfois, y’a lettre arrive juste au bon moment.
Thanks for sharing Andrew - I believe that helps. We have also lost dogs and your beautiful account brought back emotional memories for me too.
They are with us physically for such a short time, but otherwise for ever.
Love
Thanks for sharing this one again. It made me cry less the second time reading it than the first. I felt your loss when Momo passed in my own anticipatory grief. I thought my dog would be close behind. We actually got two more years together, me and Scooter, until he passed on our 6th friendiversary on November 29th last year. There's no loss quite like that of a best friend.
Thank you for these words! I just lost my own Momo a few days ago and reading this seems like a little hug from Momo (the finding Momo). Truly from my heart, thank you
The quote about grief and praise is something I've held on to ever since reading it in your Instagram post about Momo's passing. It's such a beautiful way to think about love. Grief is a strange animal, yet it is comforting in that it allows us to honor our best memories of those whom we've lost. Thanks for sharing this again today.
I remember reading this column 2 1/2 years ago and I wept all over again looking at the photos of Momo by the river and then running toward the rainbow. We lost our own sweet Tagg 3 months later to metastatic cancer and you are correct in saying that grief looks different for all of us but it is inevitable. Thank you for your writings and for sharing your wisdom and love of dogs. I aspire to be as wonderful a dog owner as you are.
I look over when I'm driving, and my mind expects Dino to be there but he isn't. But to confront it more times allows me to just understand that his 15 years was up and he's always going to be a part of our family. The sadness and tears don't come as much. New triggers will feel stronger like walking a path we used to walk together. I lost Oscar over 20 years ago. So I know the pain subsides but doesn't go away. Sparks of these memories will emerge like playing an old movie. But if I stay on it long enough, tears will flow. I tell myself they wouldn't want the sadness, so move on and be happy they were there than not. Also, imaging their spirits are around helps think the live on.
I read this newsletter back in 2021 and have thought about it many times since then. I loved following along on you and Mimi’s adventures and now Boo and Yaya. Thank you for sharing again, Andrew.
I lost a human friend in 2015, she was only 26 years old and she had to have a very invasive surgery, and her body did not recover from it. And it was a very difficult moment, but I learned how to grieve and accept it. When my dog died in 2020, however, it was harder, because he was sick in more than one way, and there was nothing to be done, so I had no choice but to wait. I did my best to take care of him, but it felt like I could have done more. I had to accept the fact that it was inevitable, and that the best thing I did was be there with him, enjoy every moment that I had with him. And I still cry when I think about that, it still weighs heavy. Both deaths marked me for life, but it has come to a point where the good memories take precedence over the sadness at the very end.
Very beautiful written, I teared up a bit. I have a Border collie too, his is 13 years old now, so your words felt very present , and helpful too. Thanks 💚.