I want to share with you the news that Jack and Jill, two dogs living all their lives with our friend Carol Tunney, a physician now working as a shamanic healer, have gone to the spirit world. Carol said that after working with one of her teachers, it became clear that they were both suffering and struggling to hang on for her and for one another. Carol said that once she realized that they arrived together as litter mates, she came to see they were ready to leave together. They were buried on a friends farm along with some red meat, peanut butter, kibble and a crystal. They are sleeping parallel to one another, just as they did in life. They shared and brightened and defined Carol’s life for nearly 14 years. She called them her champions, healers and dear friends. I was privileged to briefly know these dogs and to photograph them for Carol.

There is grief in loss, but also gratitude and appreciation. Carol reminds us to be selfless in our love, and that death can be a gift as well as a sorrow. She put her beloved dogs ahead of herself, and sent them on their sacred way.