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In Chapter 5 of Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate, I recommend getting a piece (or several pieces) of dog memorial jewelry so that you have a wearable symbol to keep with you. I’m super, Super, SUPER excited to tell you about a new dog memorial jewelry option I’ve discovered.
Saturday marks the third anniversary of Lilly’s death from an adverse rabies vaccine reaction + the side-effects and complications of treatment. I wrote in the pet loss book — Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate — that I’m forever changed by the loss. That statement feels more true now than ever. When I wrote the book, I talked about fearing that I may never recover from the loss, and that too remains a real concern. This last week, in particular, has been difficult in a renewed way. Here’s what I’m thinking about when we fail in grief.
Thursday, December 17, 2015, marks two years since Lilly’s death. I remain devastated. It isn’t the all day, every day, kind of grief, but when it bubbles up, it feels just as fresh and raw and searing as ever. On this anniversary, I thought I would share some insights into what it’s really like to be this FAR into the grieving process. Don’t worry. Some of them are kind of funny. This post isn’t entirely sad. And, there are even photos of the puppies — Clover and Tori.
Exactly one year ago today, we made the painful-but-necessary decision to let Lilly go after a 693-day fight for her life. Our grief is better and totally NOT at the same time. Adding a puppy to our family didn’t magically make the grief disappear, but the other night, I realized how much more desperate I would feel without a new little canine friend at my side. Continue reading
Cruising the local farmer’s market a few Saturdays ago, I stumbled upon a booth selling Origami Owl custom jewelry. Among other things, they sell see-through lockets and a variety of doo-dads / charms to go inside. I think it’s a perfect option for memorializing our canine soul mates, and I wish I’d known about it right after Lilly died in December 2013.
Tuesday, June 17, marked 6 months since we lost Lilly. It’s a rough week for other reasons as well. Another dog writer friend of mine calls it “The Anniversary Effect.”
It has only been a little more than 3 weeks since we lost Lilly – our incredible, miraculous canine heroine. It feels impossible, like forever, and like yesterday all at the same time. Here are the insights into Lilly’s final days that I thought you’d want to know.
Here is the long version of Lilly’s obituary, including some of the last photos ever taken of her and a few details about her final days.
Sharing a lifetime of photos and video of Lilly, our dearly departed canine heroine. Approximately 5-minute tribute video for my Heart Dog — my canine soul mate — Lilly Elizabeth Hawn.
Today, Lilly Elizabeth Hawn earned the angel’s wings we always knew she had. She was my Heart Dog – my canine soul mate. Gone from this life, she lives forever in my heart. Goodbye, beautiful girl. Thank you for everything.