A Story from My Practice: Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Dog

With my client’s kind permission, I am sharing another tender story.

A client whose beloved dog had died asked me for support. It was very difficult for her: he had been her best friend. In our work together, I experienced us helping his little soul gradually move into the light, with love and peace.

To help her find a little peace of her own, I suggested writing a farewell letter.

A Farewell Letter

She could put everything she felt into that letter: gratitude, memories, and anything she had not had a chance to say aloud. Sometimes this can be a moment when the heart feels lighter, and a gentle light begins to take the place of heavy sadness.

If you ever face a similar loss, you might like to try it too. Sit down at home, write a letter to your animal companion, light a candle beside their photograph or favorite toy, and quietly read your letter aloud. It is a small ritual, but it can feel deeply meaningful.

We each have our own way of saying goodbye. What matters is that it is sincere and comes from the heart.

You can find the farewell letter in my private Facebook group.

Read the farewell letter in my Facebook group

A Story of Loss and Communication with an Animal Companion

My client continued to feel guilt and regret for many months after her companion had left his physical body here on Earth. She worried that she had not done enough for him, and that he might have stayed longer.

Over and over, she thought she should have noticed sooner that he was slipping away before her eyes, growing weaker and losing weight. In the daily rush of caring for very young children and running a household, she had been overwhelmed and had not been able to give it her full attention. Still, the feeling that she could have done better stayed with her.

The Connection

I sought to connect with her dog several times. The first time was two weeks after his death. In my spiritual practice, I allow this time because I believe a soul needs a quiet transition and time to move into the light.

What I sensed was that he felt no resentment and was not angry with my client. I perceived only a few heartfelt messages, meant just for her, about how to move forward in life without him and the purpose they had shared.

Will They Meet Again?

We also asked whether they would meet again in this lifetime. At that moment, an image appeared to me of a free-flying bird of prey circling above the landscape. I understood this as his answer.

My sense was that, in his next life, he would like to be even freer than he had been as a dog. We will see whether, and how, their paths meet again. 🙏