"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” -Roger Caras
I find myself thinking about this quote over and over again. It has been one month since Pipyn passed, my beloved Chihuahua. My mom always said Pipyn had nine lives. I adopted him from a no-kill shelter that saved him from euthanasia at the local SPCA five ½ years ago. At that point he had used two of his lives: one for the 5 years he lived before being found by the SPCA, and one when he was saved FROM the SPCA. I had him for a year before his third life was used up in a brutal dog attack he was able to survive because of his harness- had he been wearing a traditional collar I wouldn’t have been able to stop the dog from running away with Pipyn in his mouth by pulling on Pipyn’s leash without chocking my own dog. His fourth life was used when he was attacked by a neighbor’s dog a year ago at a neighborhood gathering. Luckily, the larger dog was leashed, which allowed Pipyn to get away without too much damage. Life number 5 came about 11 months ago when Pipyn got unexplainably sick. He was eating more than ever, but was loosing weight at an alarming rate. He lost over 25% of his body weight in 4 weeks. We took him to two vets, ran countless test, and we still could not pin-point what was wrong. When the vets couldn’t help us my mom, who is in the health care field, diagnosed his problem as inflammatory bowl disease, or IBD. We treated him as if that was what was ailing him, hand cooking him high protein low-fat organic food every meal. Within a few months he got his weight back, and a skip back in his step. Then, inexplicably, and violently, he got ill and died 24 hours later. Life number 6… We thought he had at least four more lives left. His loss has left a sudden and unexpected whole in my world, a grief that is so aggressive and forceful it knocks me off my feet and takes my breath away.
To me, Pipyn was this best-friend/child hybrid. I had a bond with him I have felt with only a few other people. My best friend and college roommate used to say “If Pipyn were drowning and I was drowning and you could only save one of us, you would totally save Pipyn!” I loved him more than I love most people, and I can’t explain how or why. Maybe it was the way he sighed when he would lie on my chest, nuzzling into me and looking up at me with an adoration he shared with no other. Maybe it was that he, who trusted precious few people after the trials and betrayals of his first five years of life, trusted me implicitly and completely. Perhaps it is the moment when I first saw him in that cage 5 ½ years ago, skinny and tired looking, he stood right up and did a series of tight joyful circles, circles he continued to do every time he’d see me until the day before he died. A part of the bond must stem from the place he held in my life; we wrote songs and poems about him, taught him countless tricks, and took him everywhere. He kept me company through three moves, heart break, and the terrors of graduate school. He slept with me every night, and greeted me with a sleepy wag each morning. He was this constant force in my life, this innocent and sentient creature that was always on my mind- his needs, wants, habits ingrained in my life completely. I can’t explain where this bond comes from, and how beautiful and powerful it can be. All I know is, there is a Pipyn shaped hole in my life and my heart… He was not my whole life, but he made my life whole.
I know this is longer than most posts, and I apologize for my verbosity. But I feel as though I’ve been carrying these feelings inside for the past four weeks with no one to share them with. When I found this site I just couldn’t stop writing. For those of you who have read this long winded love-letter to Pipyn, thank you. And to Pipyn, thank you for the years of laughter, cuddles, games, and endless joy. Love you Pip. Miss you so much it hurts.

Dear Maraya

What a wonderful, and true quote that is. Thankyou so much for sharing it with us.

I send my condolences for the passing of your dear sweet Pipyn. What a truly unbreakable bond you two share. He will be part of you forever, always in your heart and soul. A constant reminder of 'true love' and how wonderful it is that these sweet fur/feather companions share their lives with us. We are so blessed to know this love and we must cherish our memories of them.

Pipyn sounds to be such a character, and I know you will be heartbroken over losing his dear 'physical' presence. Please come here as often as you need and maybe you could post a picture of Pipyn. I know that like me there will be many friends here who would love to see him and learn more about him.

Take care of yourself, as dear Pipyn will wish.
I send my thoughts and prayers and a big HUG to help you at this very sad time.

Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Thank you for sharing those stories of your sweet little Pipyn. He lived a full and happy life with you and you should be proud that you were able to provide him with the best life he could have ever hoped for.



I feel the exact same way about our sweet Reggie, who left us on Oct 29. I have known many people in my life and I have never had the same bond with any of those people that I had with Reggie. I know he was put on this earth to find me so we could enjoy each others' company and eventually enjoy that time with my wife. It's hard to explain how or why we form such strong bonds with our pets, many times stronger and deeper than bonds we have with human friends. I think it has to do with the fact that such bonds go beyond secular things and is far more spiritual, which makes their loss that much harder to cope with. But your Pipyn is happy and healthy where he is now and is looking down on you with a smile. All you can do is grieve for him and try to remember how he made your life whole.

Hi, Maraya, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Pipyn. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company.

All I can do is echo the comforting words of Jan and Aaron. Our beloved companions give to us their unconditional love and undivided attention, and we in turn surrender ourselves to them completely. When they precede us to the angels they do take the part of us that belongs only to them with them, and that is one of the many reasons why parting with their sweet physical presence is so very painful - - both physically and emotionally. The good news is that the love bond we share with our beloved companions - - whatever the life form - - is eternal - - because love is not bound by the physical laws of time and space. Hopefully in time as the deep grief passes you will be able to feel your precious Pipyn's sweet Living Spirit always with you in your heart and memories, for he is sharing your life still just as he always did during his earthly journey with you.

Maraya, thank you so much for sharing with us your wonderful memories of Pipyn. Perhaps sometime when you're up to it you would like to post a picture, pictures, of him as well, and continue to share your precious memories of him with us. Please know you are among friends here, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
And please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Maraya, and look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Maraya...I know exactly how you feel....I lost my Mozart just over a month ago...he was my soul mate, sleeping next to me for 16 years.....was with me during my cancer journey which still goes on, but without his wonderful presence.....over the years I have lost some great doggies, but none compare to Mozie.....I'm still hurting over this.I know time will blunt the loss we are feeling...but my heart has a big hole in it.