Animals know this world in a way we never will.   – John O’Donohue

My good friend Seamus died this week of a heart attack. It was very sudden and totally unexpected. Seamus was only 10 years old, and he was the best dog you likely will ever find in the universe. No, he wasn’t my dog. He belonged to my neighbors the Webb family who generously shared this awesome joie de vivre animal with me. I feel blessed to have had him in my life.

I know there is no comparison to be made between the loss of a friend or family member who is a human being to the loss of an animal, but I was shocked at the depth of grief I felt when Seamus died. I experienced his loss instantly and cried my eyes out. Seamus was loyal, funny, gentle, kind, forgiving, loving, and endlessly enthusiastic about life. He was always ready to go for a walk on the beach or to hang out in my garden and keep watch over me as I gardened or to take a ride in my car with me to the library.

I totally loved Seamus. He was always excited to see me, he forgave me my flaws, he didn’t care how I looked, and he was delighted to do whatever I wanted to do. Seamus seemed to smile at people, and he always howled with happiness whenever I came to pick him up to go anywhere with me.

I learned a lot about life and enthusiasm from Seamus. He understood the world in a way that we people never will. He had a true sense of “animal being,” which John O’Donohue wrote about in his poem “To Learn from Animal Being.” So in honor of my special buddy Seamus, I include a part of this lovely poem.

Nearer to the earth’s heart,
Deeper within its silence:
Animals know this world
In a way we never will. …

May we learn to return
And rest in the beauty
Of animal being,
Learn to lean low,
Leave our locked minds,
And with freed senses
Feel the earth
Breathing with us.

May we enter
Into lightness of spirit,
And slip frequently into
The feel of the wild.

May we learn to walk
Upon the earth
With all their confidence
And clear-eyed stillness.

Thank you, Creator, for creating animals like Seamus. Help us to respect, appreciate, and stand in awe at the wonder of your beloved animals. Show us how to protect them with compassion and thoughtfulness. And now take Seamus home to you. I guarantee he will be a great friend to you. Amen

Joy Carol
www.joycarol.com