Journey of Love: Touching tale of a shelter dog adoption
February 19, 2024
Do you agree that the biggest drawback of having dogs is 'Why is their lifespan so short?' As pet owners, we become deeply attached to our furry friends, and inevitably, most of us will confront the moment when we must bid them farewell. It's a hard time to deal with the heartbroken feeling, perhaps one of the most emotionally challenging experiences in life.
In this feature article, Senior Paws shares Lo-Ping’s story, a dog owner from the Senior Paws support group, who bid farewell to her beloved 12-year-old Japanese Chin in October 2023. We recount her journey from novice owner to the bittersweet moment of parting ways with her dog, hoping to inspire and guide others facing similar situations with courage and without regrets.
Lo-Ping, a professional nurse from Taiwan, originally intended to purchase some guppies for her household aquarium. However, during a visit to the pet store, she unexpectedly encountered an adorable dog. Captivated by its charm, Lo-Ping decided to bring the dog home, naming it Le-Jiang which means “Happiness” in Chinese. Over time, she introduced another Japanese Chin named You-Jiang into their family.
When I first saw that little creature in the pet store, I wasn’t sure if it was a cat or a dog, but I fell in love with it at first sight! That’s Le-Jiang. Later, I got You-Jiang to keep each other company
Although the idea of having two dogs as companions seemed delightful, it also sparked an unexpected territorial battle in the house. Lo-Ping discovered her dogs defecating everywhere, feeling helpless, as she had to clean up the mess every time upon returning home. However, she took steps by participating in various dog behavior classes, realizing that the real need for behavior change lay with the owner.
Under the guidance of instructors, Lo-Ping started walking the dogs separately to alleviate their anxiety, which significantly improved their behavior issues. Additionally, she attended workshops focused on dog relaxation, where she learned gentle T-Touch techniques advocated by Linda Tellington Jones and participated in calming signal classes with Turid Rugaas, an internationally renowned dog trainer. Through these experiences, Lo-Ping gained a deeper understanding of her responsibility as a dog owner and learned to cultivate a harmonious environment for both herself and her dogs.
Le-Jiang is very caring. Whenever I work late at home, she would come over and stay by my side. You-Jiang, on the other hand, is very responsible. If there's any noise outside the door, he would go check until it's quiet again before leaving. Being able to pet them from time to time brings me the greatest joy.
More than ten years passed, and Lo-Ping continued to adhere to the principle she had previously learned: adjusting her lifestyle to match the pace of her dogs, especially as they entered their senior years. Short walks, lasting about 5 minutes each time and taken 2-3 times a day, proved beneficial in enriching their brain stimulation. She also engaged with other Japanese Chin dog owners to discuss the possibility of caring for their congenital diseases, including respiratory and congenital heart issues. She hoped to be prepared in addressing these concerns.
I once read an article that emphasized how, unlike humans who have various activities and distractions, pets only have us in their world. Therefore, the time, space, and resources we can provide for them are limited. It is truly important to spend quality time with our pets whenever possible, minimizing regrets in the future when they are no longer with us.”
In October 2023, her 12-year-old dog, You-Jiang, passed away suddenly. Seeking guidance from a pet memorial service, she along with her husband and young daughter, learned how to gather certain items to bid farewell to their beloved dog. Drawing from her experience, she shared what owners can consider preparing for a dog's passing. These suggestions are simply options for those who may find them meaningful as people cope with loss differently. Some items to consider include:
- Baby Blankets: to cover the beloved departed furry family member.
- Clay: for making paw prints and including the owner's handprint.
- Small Glass Jar: for collecting the dog's fur as a keepsake.
- Cards or Letter Paper: for writing words of love and gratitude to the dog.
- Commemorative Bouquet: for sending off the departed pet with a final blessing.
This was Lo-Ping first time saying goodbye to her own dog, and it was also her 7 year-old daughter's first experience with such a loss. So, she took her daughter along, seeing it as a life education, to the flower market where they carefully chose a bellflower bouquet to accompany You-Jiang on his funeral. Her young daughter, moved by the occasion, wrote a heartfelt letter expressing her love for You-Jiang.
Before You-Jiang's cremation, Lo-Ping and her family lovingly groomed him, tenderly touching him and speaking softly. She described the process as serene and peaceful, feeling a warm flow from her dog to her heart.
When I sent You-Jiang off for cremation, I imagined sending out the most sincere light from my heart, wishing him a smooth journey and all the happiness. I did everything I could for him on his last journey, I believe, was fulfilling."
She discovered that the four important elements of bidding farewell to their furry family member were expressing gratitude, apologies, love, and then say goodbye with blessings. She confronted her inner self during the farewell, reflecting on areas where she hadn't done well in the past, expressing her feelings to her dog, and sorting out her emotions. This made the subsequent period of missing her dog less regretful.
Now, Lo-Ping realizes that You Jiang's departure has helped her deeply understand that all encounters in life are temporary. Therefore, she cherishes the present moments even more and plans her daily life seriously. Despite being busy, she ensures to take her 13-year-old senior dog, Le-Jiang, out for short walks every day.
She also encourages other senior dog owners to remember to take their dogs for regular health check-ups, especially those with heart conditions. They should pay special attention to diet and temperature and have regular discussions with the veterinarian about whether electrocardiograms or medication are needed.
I don’t feel that much pain now. Whenever I think of You-Jiang, I look up at the sky and tell him how much I love him. As long as the owner lives well, the dog in another world will feel it too"
Postscript from Senior Paws Founder- Hanching Coffey
Recently, I've noticed that some of our support group members have lost their beloved furry friends. I hope this feature can offer strength to those who have experienced pet loss or are about to go through the process, helping them find the strength to navigate their feelings.
Over the past few years, I've bid farewell to more than two beloved dog family members. I understand that it's truly not easy to process. In addition to writing in a journal to cope with missing them, I have also found solace in joining the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support Community. Furthermore, I've sought advice from counselor Ann Marie of Be More Dog's Pet Bereavement Support .Through her guidance, I've learned how to accept our feelings of grief and avoid self-blame. Learning to gradually 'let go of the pain', and understanding that time plays a key role in this process, has been helpful.
I hope we can all find a positive force to help us through this challenging time. After all, I believe whether our caring fur friends are around us or not, they would absolutely want us to stay healthy and live happily.
