Bella the dog who lived
When I was in the UK in September, I was treated to time with Bella. I could say that it was unexpected time. Only I didn’t like to acknowledge that then, and don’t like to say it aloud now. But, if I am completely honest with myself, I did not expect Bella to be around in September. But I wasn’t alone. At the start of the year, Bella’s veterinary team – large and experienced and frank and professional and, well, wrong – advised she was unlikely to see Easter.
She saw and enjoyed Easter.
She ate and enjoyed summer picnics.
Bella enjoyed late summer beaches.
She walked through and enjoyed autumn and October, the Schnauzerfest month for the Bellas of the world.
Bella enjoyed, in her own time, her adopted brother Alfie. In fact, everything she enjoyed was in her own time.
Including Christmas. She enjoyed Christmas. When it was thought she wouldn’t see Easter.
But today it was time.
“I know you loved her so much and were one of the rare people who got her. And cuddles from her.” Anne, my friend said to me earlier.
I know it is a privilege that I spent time with Bella. And had the honour of getting to know her. The summer she visited us in 2022 will always bring happy memories. She was a character I related to. And it’s tricky sometimes to explain this. And I am not going to try today.
“She’s gone, so gently and so calm.” Anne’s words are painful and beautiful.
The dead are not distant or absent. They are alongside us. When we lose someone to death, we lose their physical image and presence, they slip out of visible form into invisible presence. This alteration of form is the reason we cannot see the dead. But because we cannot see them does not mean that they are not there. Transfigured into eternal form, the dead cannot reverse the journey and even for one second re-enter their old form to linger with us a while. Though they cannot reappear, they continue to be near us and part of the healing of grief is the refinement of our hearts whereby we come to sense their loving nearness. John O’Donohue
