Run Free Woody

For Woody,

You were too special for this world Woody. I knew it all along. It's so hard to know you're gone but it's also relieving to know you're out of pain and in a place where you can be forever young. I will never forget you my dear boy, and am so grateful to have called you my dog, my best friend, you were my world. Your soul was too good for this Earth, your candle burned so very bright for us. What hurt me the most was that you were my miracle dog and I never got a chance to say good bye.. Your passing turned my world upside down and left me shrouded in darkness. The darkness of grief is deep, for a time I could not find my way, but what is grief, if not love persevering? In the darkness, I drift into a dream where I can hear a long familiar howl rising over the dark forest, I follow the call into the unknown void, and there in the distance I find a beautiful white wolf with piercing blue eyes healthy, glowing, and running free.. What was only two years, I wanted to turn into forever. I fell in love with your funny little ways my rambunctious doggy; how you were so proud to be my dog, how you would lick my calves every morning, how you would talk back to me, how you would throw a tantrum whenever I'd have to leave the house, and the way you loved your walks, sniffing all there was to sniff. Pulling ahead on the leash, eager to experience all the things ... Oh Woody boy, you brought so much joy and love into my life and now there is only silence and pain.

I miss my boy so much and I love him so much, I don't know how to continue my life without you Woody. You trusted me with your life and I do feel as though I failed you. Tonight, I’m laying here, without you next to me, missing your snoring and thinking to myself- I've never experienced so much love from any animal. Our bond was so unique, so special. You were the sweetest boy. You will always be in my heart. The day you were placed in my arms, the first time ever I saw your face, I felt an indescribable joy. Bringing you home was a dream come true, I just knew you were meant to be my dog. I close my eyes sometimes and wish that when I open them you'll be there running into my arms again like you did since you were a puppy. I did everything I possibly could and fought to the very end to try and save your beautiful soul though you were intrinsically transient and fleeting, or in simpler words- you were on borrowed time.

I hoped and prayed that you would pull through the last surgery, I even said a heartfelt prayer out loud with you in the car on the way to vets that morning. I didn't know that would be the last time I would see you. If I had, I would have stayed there with you.. On the drive home from dropping you off for surgery, all of our good times together flashed before my eyes. I remembered the first trip home with you, my little bundle of joy curled up on my lap. I surely wasn’t thinking about ever having to say goodbye, I was thinking about all the love I already had for you, and we’d only just met. Such a sweet memory of the fateful day that the universe brought us together. It felt like we were destined to be together. As soon as I arrived to see the pups I could tell that you weren't like the others. Maybe I could already sense that you were unwell and would need extra care and maybe that's why I chose you. You were the little runt of the litter, marching to your own drum, and that's what really stole my heart. A spark of intelligence and mischief in your eyes, looking right at me, calling out to me. You were also the only one of the litter with a pure white coat of fur. That was the special l day I found you, my beautiful snowdog (Alaskan Malamute/Siberian Husky) from Socorro. As I write these words nearly half a decade after I met you, it feels like only yesterday that I brought you home on that beautiful winter day. The sun was out and a few puffy white clouds moved slowly across the blue skies. Time slowed down and I zeroed in on you and only you buddy. There was magic in the air that day. It was the beginning of our uphill journey together.

I prayed for a miracle while you were in surgery, I prayed that this would be the surgery that would make you better and hoped that finally, you'd be able to run and play. Unfortunately, we felt it.. Your spirit leaving this world was profoundly felt by the family. My other dog who loves you and misses you so very much even howled for you that night. Then the next day I got a call saying you had passed, I felt that my heart got stabbed and I wanted to follow you into the darkness. Knowing that I wasn't with you when you took your final breathe still haunts me. It was so sudden.. Nothing could have prepared our family for what would happen the next morning. I was crushed beyond what I thought was possible. I loved you more than anything in this world. I knew I would see you pass at some point, but I thought I had several years before having to go through this. I wish you had passed surrounded by those who loved you.. and not in a cold operating room.

Oh Woody, you will always be remembered in our hearts. Your passing taught me that nothing in life that we love should be taken for granted, ever, as we simply don’t know when we will lose it. I still remember the night before you left me, you said good bye.. You came close and wanted me to pet you one last time and boy I saw you taking it in and savoring our last moment together just like the first time I ever petted you as a puppy, remember? There you were at 8-weeks-old, looking up at me by the kitchen table that night. Trying to get my attention so badly, speaking to me with your eyes, you were waiting for me to understand that you really needed me and God sent you to me for a reason. At that moment, my heart opened fully and I was able to see that you were on borrowed time and I felt so, so, very sorry for you. It broke my heart but I knew all I could do was embrace you and make the most of the time we would have together. There you were closing your eyes to savor the moment, grumbling and grunting in approval of my touch, craving for more. You were so happy to finally be fully embraced and loved by me, you just couldn’t contain your excitement. Oh how I wish we could have even one more moment together. There will never be another dog quite like you, our once-in-a-lifetime boy.

It's okay that you left me Woody. I will be strong and try to see the light.. for you. You gave us enough happiness and you gave us all you could.. My baby.. My soul weeps with grief, truth to be told I will grieve your loss forever, for the world is a darker place without you. Though a part of me has departed with you, I find comfort in knowing that you are in no more suffering. Goodnight, sweet boy. Daddy loves you 3000..

Woody will never be replaced.. We don't know his diagnosis or what caused this, possibly he had an underlying medical issue that was not known to us. What we know is that Woody fought till the very end and though he suffered he also had an incredible journey with EJ and his impact on EJ's life was unfathomable. But in the end, nothing prepares you for the moment that your best friend is gone.. If we have souls, they're made of the love we share. Undimmed by time, unbound by death.. Love you and will see you on the other side Woody.

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

07/09/2024 Transmission from the Future