6 years ago, October 11, 2012 at 4pm our little girl, Maggie May went on a journey to a beautiful place called Heaven. That day is still very clear in my mind, and I know that as hard as it was to let her go, we knew we had to, it was our gift of love to her. On her last day, we took her to her favourite places, she walked a little bit, but mostly we carried her, we tried not to cry, we hugged her, we told her how much we loved her and how brave she was. If I can say one thing to you all, when it’s time, please stay with your beloved pet, don’t let them go alone. I know how hard it is, but your pet is scared, be strong, they need you there, to know that they are safe with you and that you love them as much as they love you. Maggie was not alone when she took her last breath, she was with us, those that love her, she went in peace in a safe and loving space, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This past year, I have spoken with many people that have lost their furry loved ones, we cry and we understand each other’s grief in a way that only pet parents ever could. Dealing with grief is very personal, it’s a journey, your unique journey. I can’t tell you how to deal with such a loss, all I can do is talk about my experience and where I am 6 years later.

It was important to me to have Maggie’s ashes, because once Maggie’s ashes were home, it was as though she was home, with us, and it was a feeling of comfort that I really can’t explain. Her ashes sit on our mantle to this day, it’s her special place. I didn’t put her stuff away or hide her photo’s, I didn’t want to and still haven’t.  However, whatever comfort we felt, and no matter how strong we were that last day, my husband and I still fell apart, we were devastated, we shut ourselves away, we basically hibernated for many months, we even put up a sign on the front door “do not disturb”. It hit us hard, she was our child, she was not human, but she was our child and our loss was just the same. We both said never again, we can’t have another pet, it hurts too much. There came a point though when I knew I had to pull myself together, for both our sakes. Jackie came along soon after, by chance, sent by our Maggie to get us living again, and as much as we both said never, we did, and we love our little goofball Jackie with all our hearts. Do you think things happen for a reason, why I never put Maggie’s stuff away? If we had stuck to our never, never plan, I can’t imagine how empty our lives would be. When the time is right, when you are ready, I do hope you think about a rescue, I hope you can open your heart again, give another a second chance, you have more love to give than you think and your life will be full again.

Launching In Memory Of Maggie May, was my savior. It changed my focus, and gave me purpose. My grief turned into something positive, helping others in Maggie’s name was driving me and will continue to drive me. Every blanket is made with love, they embrace Maggie’s spirit, a spirit that is shared to your furry loved one.  IMOMM keeps Maggie with me and Miss Jackie keeps me in line. I think doing something in your pet’s memory, no matter what it is, how small, how big, is uplifting, fulfilling, and it carries their memory forever.

Today, grief isn’t as prominent, mostly I have been able to let it go, but I still shed tears at this time of year, I still miss her. I will always wonder if Maggie and Jackie would have been friends, I can only imagine that they would have been. Maggie was a special girl, she taught us so many things, how to get out and enjoy the fresh air, experience new places, how to let go of the things that don’t really matter, how to enjoy every blessed moment, how to laugh at small goofy things, what unconditional love is, and she showed us the way to love again!

As we close off our 5^th year, we celebrate our accomplishments, we thank our supporters for their continued belief in us, and we will continue to do our very best to help pets in need!

Written by Eva with love and gratitude.