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(WestSide Books, Dec 2011; Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Feb 2012)
SkinWalkers: 
Grateful for the time I had with Willow
My sweet little Willow passed away Dec 24, 2010. I miss her deeply. I loved her fiercely. She gave me unconditional love, and was the sweetest, most loving, gentle beautiful-soul dog I have ever known. Willow was 13 years’ old when she passed–about 91 in human years. She hung on for four years past what the vets thought she could and would (she had congestive heart failure). I think she hung on so long because of her deep love for me, and my deep love for her.
I may post more about the whole process of her passing and my grief; I feel a need to write about it, and to share. For now, I hope you will watch a short video of her. She was so sweet.
If you do watch it, and enjoy it, perhaps you’ll leave me a comment so I know?
December 26th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
So sweet! I hope you find some comfort in her passing.
December 27th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I’m sorry to hear that you lost your sweet dog December 24th. Unfortunately, you will probably now associate Christmas with losing Willow. However, if you believe this saying as I do:
“The only truly dead are those we have forgotten” then perhaps you will find that your memories of her will bring you some solace as you deal with your loss. She can stay alive in your memories. Thank you for sharing the video; she certainly was sweet looking.
December 30th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I’m so sorry your dog passed away! The video was soo cute!
January 1st, 2011 at 6:01 am
Thank you so much, everyone, for your caring, and for leaving your comments about Willow. I haven’t felt much like writing lately; I miss Willow so much–but it’s been good to read people’s comments, here on my blog, on Twitter, on FaceBook. It’s so lovely to have a community of people who care.
The vet that day told me that they looked at Willow’s chest x-rays and their jaws all dropped; they were shocked that Willow’s heart was that huge and that she could still be alive. (She lived four more years than they thought she could.) They said it was the force of love behind it–my love for Willow. I think it was both–my love for Willow, and Willow’s love for me. It was so deep and constant and true.
January 3rd, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Hey Cheryl. Sorry about Willow. It is tuff when they move on. Remember the good stuff and know that it is your memories of her that will keep her alive for you forever.
January 10th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Sorry about Willow. You might find it interesting on another writer’s handling of the loss of a pet. http://www.maxthequiltcat.com/