331. Pet Funeral

Nora reads one of the eulogies from the Pet Funeral episode of Terrible, Thanks for Asking Premium. 

Check out the TTFA episode about Adrienne and her dog Luke, called Toothless Little Wonders.

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

Nora: I’m Nora McInerny and It’s Going To Be Okay. 

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate  the lives of our pets,  our fuzzy little buddies, our little fur babies, whatever you want to call them, who have gone before us.  We don’t really have rituals for this kind of loss.  Even if you have a pet, the tragedy is that you will most likely outlive that pet, unless your pet is a parrot  or a tortoise or  another animal that tends to live much longer than people do. 

We actually made an episode over on Our Terrible Things for Asking Patreon where we held a Massive pet funeral, and I read eulogies that people wrote for their pets, and I wanted to share part of one today. It was written by  Adrian.  Adrian It was written by Adrian about Luke.  

Luke has been my closest family member and my best good friend. He has been my one true constant for 13 years. He was there beside me, always. I have never known a more beautiful, resilient, or dedicated soul. He had a quick mind, a big heart, and an uncanny ability to pick-pocket treats. I was 22 when I first met Luke. In a chaotic room of barking dogs at the Humane Society of Mishawaka, Indiana, Luke slowly and gently walked toward me. He hopped his front paws onto the fence post of his kennel and looked straight into my eyes, calm and silent. I knew right then that he would be my Luke.

I learned from the shelter volunteers that Luke had been found – afraid, alone, and abused – wandering the streets of South Bend. They thought he was about a year old. I also learned he had previously been adopted and then returned. I promised Luke that I would never do that. I promised him that I would never, ever give up on him.

Luke ignited my heart and brought peace to my mind from the moment we met. We really brought each other to life. Because of Luke, I know that soul mates can come in big, hairy dog form. Luke has served as both a protective shield of armor and a bridge connecting me to others. He’s witnessed and honored some of my deepest heartache with a gentle rest of his head on my lap, and he celebrated some of my biggest victories with a huge smile as we danced together in the living room. Luke gave me the opportunity to connect with feeling as though I was “enough,” exactly as I was in the moment. He provided an extraordinary space of non-judgment, compassion, and unconditional love. He has been my greatest teacher. Our bond has been the most potent and unadulterated that I have ever known – the most beautiful gift I have ever received. Luke and I both knew what it was like to have painful and scary pasts. And through steady and unwavering commitment, we helped each other heal.

Lukie, I’ve loved you more than anything with my whole, entire heart. Thank you for 13 years of love and joy and adventure. Thank you for being my anchor and providing daily comfort and security. Thank you for helping to carry me when I needed it. Thank you for teaching me my most valuable lessons on connection, forgiveness, resilience, patience, and hope. Thank you for choosing me and making me feel so special as your person. I promise you will stay vibrantly alive in the things I do and the stories I tell. I promise to carry forward the softness and compassion you’ve created inside of me. And just like you managed to find joy even after you could no longer run or walk, I promise I will honor you by finding new ways to find joy, too.