As the final days of October drifted away like the Autumn leaves that fall all around, there came a summons to a little soul that might not be disregarded or ignored. Mungo left the world as quietly as he had lived in it, leaving us bereft and desolate.
He had only been with us since February 2021, when he had arrived a sad, shut-down boy, rescued by Friends of Animals Wales after spending what would turn out to be the majority of his life in a breeding facility, with no name, dignity or love. That he was a kind, gentle soul never ceased to astonish us – with his background he could easily have been defensive and hostile – and yet he held so much love… his years of mistreatment at the hands of man had not damaged his purity or extinguished his light.
It is said that dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, and they leave it to teach us about loss. This pain of loss never gets any easier to bear, as anyone who has lost a dog will know – and yet we share our lives with them, knowing they are likely to leave before us, so that future pain is assured. They fill our hearts to bursting, so our hearts become too full at the end, and break… but then maybe the broken heart is bigger, so we have an even greater capacity for love…
The words of Eleanor Alletta Chaffee from her poem, ‘Memorandum for St Peter’ could have been written for Mungo:
If one deserves admittance who bore most small miseries, and manhandling now and then,
Open the gate to let in this small ghost who, guileless, trusted all his fellow men.
So little made him glad; a ball tossed in a hurried moment, to be hid
Somewhere most secret near the old stone wall, with dignity that marked all he did.
I pray you, lift the latch; he will not bark –
Until I call him in the after dark…
When he was rescued, the charity Schnauzerfest paid for his veterinary care – and it was through Schnauzerfest that we found him – or he found us; I will be forever grateful. Would I do it again, knowing that this heartbreak awaited us so soon? In a heartbeat.
If this blog has touched you, I would be so grateful if you could consider sending Schnauzerfest a donation, however small, to help pay the veterinary bills for other dogs in memory of my beautiful Mungo, who left the world too soon.
10 replies to "Teachings of Dog: Grief"
What beautiful words. At least Mungo had some true love in his final years and was able to live his best life. I will definitely send a donation to Schnauzerfest to help other dogs who need love and care.
Thank you so much, Alison, both for your kind words and for your offer of a donation to Schnauzerfest – it is much appreciated. Warmest regards – Joanna
Anyone who has lost their ‘little friend’, I did recently, will fight back a tear or two reading this lovely tribute
So sorry to hear of your own loss, Esther – thank you for taking the time to read about Mungo… x
There’s nothing to add to that. Wonderful words, beautifully written, when your feelings must be so raw. Many, many condolences for your loss, along with gratitude for saving a life and allowing us to glimpse both the dizzying heights and soul-wrenching depths of loving and losing a dog. God bless you x
Thank you so much, Becky, for your heartfelt words, and for taking the time to read about Mungo; it is much appreciated. x
Joanna, saying sorry for the loss of Mungo sounds disingenuous but reading your blog………….well I have no words. Such a heartfelt, thoughtful & devastating piece to write but clearly a fitting tribute to an amazing companion. Thinking of you.
Thank you so much, Andy – Mungo really was the sweetest boy…
So very sad to hear about Mungo. I am grateful that you are in the world to take care of the "people" who matter.
Thank you so much, Patty; we can only do the best we can… xx