Today, I packed away the last of the loose dog food, left at our house after Lu died last week. He and his mama Terra Milligan stayed with us for the last 2 months of his life. I notice a heaviness and an openness in my heart, a mix of sorrow and gratitude for being part of an incredible dog's life for so many years.

My prayer is that we all get to live and die like Lu did. That boy was loved deeply by so many, especially by his devoted mother.

When Lu was growing up, Terra ran that pup like crazy. Lu was the best lounging crag dog, a runner, obsessed with rocks and sticks, an introverted - extrovert, a sun bathing extraordinaire and the sweetest boy. Since Terra was 21, Lu was stability, family and home.

12 years later, his thick Pit Bull, Mastiff body was hurting, and he was falling down the steps. He was sad. He was still eating as fast as possible though, that he couldn’t stop!

Holding Terra in her process, “should he stay or should he go?” was such an honor. He has bone cancer, he’s in so much pain. We could see it in his eyes. Lu’s soul was ready and we did not have to wait for his body to painfully die, completely on its own. In fact, we could support this transition in the most honoring way.

Terra, held a vigil at the beautiful Half Moon Farm in Lakewood, Colorado. Lu and Terra both were surrounded by warmth from loved ones sharing prayers and tales of his playful, loving and grumpy charm. Ohhh, did we CRY together over our sadness and GUSH together over how much joy this pup brought to our lives!!!

The first shot put Lu into a deep, dreamlike state, the next one, he drifted off. We were by his side, whispering encouragement to his departing soul. It was a poignant act of trust and love, inspiring us all.

In the Tibetan tradition, these next 49 days are crucial in sheparding the soul out of this life and into the next.

As a community, may our conversations about Lu and all our dead be a gentle guide for their souls into the great unknown, keeping their memories alive, a tribute to the love we are and return to.

​Rest peacefully, dear friend Lu. Until we meet again ❤️🐾