Losing a precious pet can be a deep journey.

In December my sweet companion/friend Stryder died.

I hope that sharing about the loss of my beloved four legged one will somehow help you or someone you know.

Stryder has always been a dog of miracles.

Before I found him, I had been “calling out” for a few years, knowing that my dog was looking for me and I was looking for him.  One night I had a dream and I saw his face looking in my window.  A few weeks later I saw a post on facebook with a photo of my dog. 

This was MY dog! I gasped when I saw the post. And indeed, he did became MY dog.

There was always a sense of grace and miracles with this big shaggy guy.

Stryder’s speaking blogs have impacted many lives. Reaching out over the internet, his first blog ever, Stryder’s Big Dog Rescue Blog was a great success.

More loving words of wisdom for his beloved humans appeared in his second blog. 

Who could not love this wise one?

Even after his death, my beloved dog turns up in the dreams of his human friends.  “Stryder came to my door. He ran in and greeted me and I hugged him.  His body was full of joy.” Chip’s recounting made me happy.  I had tears in my eyes.

“I had a dream about Stryder,” Diane said. “He came up to me. He was so happy to see me.” Another friend confided as we began to walk a labyrinth. Stryder was a labyrinth walker too.

And so, even after his death, Stryder lives.

Annie and Stryder in magic mode

May We All Die Surrounded By Love

Stryder’s beloved friend and vet, Dr. Allison Bradshaw, watched Stryder’s transformation from fear to loving trust over a few short years.  In his big dog manner,  he flirted and let Dr. Bradshaw know just how special she was.

When Stryder died, Dr. Bradshaw’s compassion flowed down her checks.  She made sure he was comfortable.  Dr. Bradshaw’s end of life care was exceptional.

I remember wishing everyone could have a dying experience such as this.  He was surrounded by such love.

When I sought to thank Dr. Bradshaw for her part in Styder’s parting, her response was “ Stryder was the best boy. He was an incredible dog. Thank you Diane, but he was the best patient.”

My dogs will always be her patients.

I recently spoke with my friend Pat Murkland.  Pat’s award winning Irish Wolfhounds are recognized for their beauty and fine lineage. Pat’s wisdom brought me such help in learning to walk this path with my rescue dog.  Endless times her words would find me.  Again her words surrounded me.

“It’s our duty when we take in our dogs to love for their lives, that we love them in their deaths, too, and give them the best journey. I am glad you had that for your beloved boy.”  Pat Murkland.

Many friends  walked beside us in those “Loving Stryder” days. A large terrified dog looks quite different than a scared little dog.

Many remember his early days of fear. The love and patience poured out over him began to ease Stryder’s pain and fear.  Step by step we began to learn and in this, we relaxed.  Stryder and I attended Dream Dogs training and under the wise guidance of Lori Carman we both learned how to walk on a leash, how to move forward past the fear.  I learned how to “talk dog.”  The last class we took was Barn Hunt.  This was Stryder’s favorite because he got to use his hunter nose and instincts to find rats, protected in heavy tubes.  They were hidden in straw bales. Stryder absolutely loved this.

Stryder at the La Quinta Cove labyrinth with friends

After Stryder passed, I sat outside the vet’s office in a chair to collect my thoughts.  I had been texting with his doggy Godparents as the morning events had progressed and the revealing X-rays came forth. I sat in the late morning sun, my heart was broken.  I then noticed a car drive in, stop and out stepped my friend, Vikki.

We hugged, talked and cried.  Her deep kindness and her love for Stryder helped to prepare me for the next step:  going home to an empty house.

Kindness is Powerful

Some folks sent flowers.  I was deeply moved by that kindness and fragrant reminder of caring.

Another friend visited and brought her little dog along. This was also a huge comfort.

Others helped me find places for Stryder’s food, bed, toys… bit by bit my life continued on.

The morning after Stryder’s passing I was aware of a strong sense of relief.

Where was this coming from?

Flooding over me in wordless understanding I embraced that Stryder was now out of pain.

Then a very deep sense of gratitude flowed over the room.

If put into words, these whispers would say, thank you for caring for me.  For giving me a safe and loving life…for saving me from cruelty and loneliness.

They were not mushy words, my big dog was not that way.  These were words of honest gratitude. Stryder did not take lightly the life that we had shared.

After a few days I posted about his death on facebook.  I didn’t go into a lot of details but I did let my facebook friends know my big dog was now gone from this realm.

I received a comment from someone I have never met. She asked if she might create a portrait of my Stryder.  I was deeply touched by her kindness.  Over time she would ask me questions: what were his favorite toys? What did he like to do?  What color were his eyes?  And then she texted me to tell me The Stryder Portrait it was on the way…

This package arrived at my door. I wept when I opened it.  Denise had absolutely captured Stryder’s magical essence.

This powerful portrait of him now hangs on my wall where I can easily look at it.  The other day a hanging crystal cast a rainbow gleam upon his face.

Denise Obrien’s  powerful capture of Stryder is extraordinary.

The Stryder Portrait is a resounding example of the magic that surrounds this 4 legged friend.

Perhaps you have read his blogs?  Some call him Stryder the Wise.

Perhaps you have seen his stories on social media.

The truth is, Stryder lives.

He lives in our hearts and our stories.

He lives in my home, on the wall, in my memories.  Sometimes at night I hear his soft snore.

And yes, he does come back in dreams.

Stryder resting on the bed

Death Is A Powerful Teacher

I have missed and grieved for Stryder very deeply.  This dog found me.  He came to me in a dream before he came into my life. That way I knew he was the one.  And now he has left a big hole.  But he is still around.  I can feel him.

“My dogs’ deaths have taught me so much about living,” Pat wrote to me.

I agree.  Stryder’s death was a powerful teacher, as was his life.

Thank you my dear friend.   Even in the sorrow of leaving this realm, you continue on, Stryder the Wise.  

Stryder peacefully resting by the fire

(c) Diane L. Mathias, 2020