​April 7, 2019
As someone who is considered to have expertise in matters of loss and in matters of pet loss, my take on the journey through grief is that it does not complete in acceptance, in recovery, in resolution, or any of the other words so many experts use.  One heals as if terribly physically injured, and with having been injured, there are always scars.  Many of the scars are visible.  Some are internal.  Scars are indicative of having been truly alive.  When you notice them, you can remember the pain.  You can remember the risks and the fun that led to them.  You can remember any difficulty in healing.  Scars change in their appearance as they heal as well.  When they are fully healed, they are just part of you and who you are.
I have also taught that it is assistive in healing for others to “hold” your grief.  It is helpful for you to express it in words, in writing, in charity, in pictures, and many other ways.  But it is most helpful if others hold or embrace your grief through that expression.  I know also that we cleanse previous losses when we grieve again. 
This post is my attempt to help heal a deep scar, and a letter to the soul whose loss and life is within the scar.
​

Hey Rox, it’s been a year.  It’s been a year since I sent you out of your physical body which was doing you harm.  I still miss you. And I still want you to be here.  I bet that may never change. 
I’ve been hurting lately as much as when you left.  So I talked to my oldest and wisest friend last night, also a therapist, who said I shouldn’t hold myself to a year, that every process is its own.  She is right; I have advised the same, but I needed to hear it.  I guess that I might not ever stop grieving you. I know I will never stop wanting you or missing you.
My grieving will also never stop for others that came before you. They all, especially Beignet and some of the horses, Survirgo, Country, and Sunny, have been entering my dreams lately. Anytime I have quiet, I remember all of you.  But Roxie, today your presence is big big, and my missing you hurts a great deal more than before.  Jethro and Dupree seem to know what’s up with me, and they seem to know it takes both of them to help me heal now.  Thank you for communicating with them.
You were so exuberant and always ready to provoke my laughter. You were perfect at cuddling, affection, closeness, and you did drool and drool and drool.  The drool ensured that others let you be mine only, and that the inauthentic missed your wisdom and love.  I can still feel your fur, your feet, your muzzle, and I even easily remember your smell.  You were teaching me so much about living mindfully and joyfully.  You made it your mission to give joy, because you absolutely loved people and other animals (especially Lilo, Dora, and Toby).  You loved showing, and you knew what it was about.  Your favorite thing was applause.  And when you won, you tried to take the ribbons from the judge.  You got most excited going to the vet, because they were eager to see you.  You couldn’t wait to see them, even if they poked, prodded, and drugged you.  You gave off a lot of love, my girl, at any opportunity.  You lived, as we all should live.
It was our blessing that you were so beautiful; beautiful enough to win any show.  I know it was part of your plan.  It was my blessing to have you connected to me.  You were such that we attracted others, so we made memories.  We had so much fun together!  We traveled; we charmed people at every stop; we bonded in unfamiliar environments.  It was you and me, and me and you.  We had a good time.
And I feel that you knew we were to be together before you were born.  I feel many pets know something similar.  You weren’t here for long; you came, you lived as long and as best as you could, loving me and making me warm and with laughter and loving me with singularity.  You did it girl.
And then 21 days after your death, you gave me your bone.  You did.  You left it outside for me to see.  That must have taken so much metaphysical energy.  But true to form, your love for me was the biggest of any human or animal who has ever loved me.
So many spiritual traditions say that at a year the spirit leaves and is free.  I’m okay with that.  Please be free.  I am tethered to the earth until my death.  I can only hope that I embrace the teachings all have valiantly and trustfully given.  I am grateful and indebted to you, Roxie, and all of the other animals who have graced my experience here.  But I miss every single one.  Today I am grateful for having lived with you my girl.
Roxie, I am writing this letter to you as well as to share with any other human who shares a similar love.  I have not been a perfect person or a perfect animal host.  But I am grateful that I have been loved.  I have been loved in the purest form, and it was just given without request.  I have been loved by perfect souls.  In all dimensions, we are connected, I pray, forever. 
Remembering you today and everyday, Roxie.  Thank you my sweet girl.
​        
 
Here are some other links to know Roxie:
https://youtu.be/uTzcLSfHsSE
https://youtu.be/JHzt3KxWLoE
https://youtu.be/sXLsv2TFfbo

​I am in Washington D.C. (on November 4, 2018, two days before our election). 

I am here to talk to veterinary pathologists about their grief, compassion fatigue, and burnout.  Yeah, they know you are thinking why would they suffer?  They study tissues and give us their diagnosis.  Did you ever think for a moment how they feel when they give multiple diagnoses in a day which they know might destroy a family’s life?  Other pathologists work in environments where they are researching, and they may euthanize animals because they don’t fit their research.  They’re doing this research for future good, but how many of you can buddy up with them given what they do for our society?  They do what they do with love.  They got into vet med because they love animals just like other vets, and then they specialized.  Others work in academia, a suction for the soul in some ways for any field, and they suffer because they’re not trained to help students or to navigate organizational relationships.  I so appreciate their invitation to me to talk.  I learned so much.  I shared that if not for one of them, I would not have had quality time for almost two weeks with Roxie. Anyway, the talk was productive, and then I ventured into DC.

I did a city tour, and I have to tell you the Capitol with both wings of Senate and House is bigger and more ostentatious than I remembered from a previous trip long ago.  I got off the bus at the Lincoln Memorial.  Nearby, footsteps away, are the Korean War Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and the Vietnam War Vet Memorial. I visited them all. 

I took many pictures of the Korean War Memorial for my father who is proud of his service during that time.  The Vietnam War happened in my lifetime, so these lives were lost in my lifetime. 

The Lincoln Memorial: I was there exactly 50 hours before we receive election results.  Lincoln is memorialized as if the sculpture is very much alive.  The sculpture’s eyes are riveting.  His words are there all over the place.  I felt the horrible quandary of his decisions at the time; his improbable yet forgivingness of others; his embrace of people as all equal; his grief, his sadness about human nature,  and again his grief.  Lincoln stuck to his moral principles.  He gave us many lessons which he learned through the pain of grief, yet he didn’t force the nation to understand.  He only offered his knowledge through speech.  I was moved to big tears. I looked up to Lincoln’s sculpture, and I saw a man who risked everything political to do what he sought deep down as morally correct.  I asked about us now.  Who did I ask? Myself, my God, Lincoln, and all the souls I visited in the memorials.  I asked for help for all of us.  I made it down all those steps alone, risky because my vision was through tears.

Just a little more than a week ago, Jews were gunned down because of irrational blind hate.  They were killed in America.  They were killed in an America which promised they could worship freely in their faith.  I observed in DC all nationalities with their little kids touring our monuments which represent this type of freedom.  They were touring because we are their hope and their example.   And I thought about the children taken from their parents at the border.  I thought about the children in Yemen who are dying because our government is allowing them to die.

I feel that I’m supposed to at least tell you how I’m thinking.  I don’t vote party, but I do vote kindness.  I do vote integrity.  I vote for kindness.  I do vote the values of our nation as inclusive of all, especially disregarding color or religion or national background.  I do vote in honor of those who have given their lives for us; for me, you, my kids and yours, and their kids. 

My experience in DC coincided with this election in a synchronistic way.
I just hope that Tuesday’s election results prove to me that as I still live in the same kind and generous nation I have known it to be.  If you have yet to vote, please do.  I need to know your true heart.  I hope that this nation is what Lincoln and Jefferson and so many others intended.  The photo below is of the forgotten; those in the Korean war.

Know that I work part-time at a specialty/emergency veterinary hospital in my “retirement.” I maintain a veterinary social work internship and a VSW program which will be a model for all programs that I am helping to develop throughout this country.  Thankfully, the events of this week happen infrequently, but they are worth sharing for those interested in Veterinary Social Work.
​
An advanced VSW intern, who does many of her hours at night, texted me to tell me that a mother and teenage children had come in.  The husband had bludgeoned their dog. The husband used a baseball bat to beat the dog, and he threw free weights at the dog.  The dog was on the bed (a crime I guess).  This man was reportedly the most heartfelt of animal lovers in the household.  The older teenager, witnessed the entire act and called his mom who was home within minutes. The mom took the children and the dog to our hospital where social work interns are under my supervision. The intern who texted me was intricately involved with the mom and her family that night. With her assistance, the mom demanded the husband exit the house indefinitely while they were out.  This man was previously without mental illness or anger issues, and he had no history whatsoever of violence. That sounds familiar this week, meaning the Las Vegas massacre.

First, I want you to know the dog is ok and getting better. The children are ok and will have contact with therapists. The mom is knowledgeable and cognizant of the risks and the correlation of animal abuse and domestic violence. She has made sure that the husband is no longer allowed in the home, and she required him to get treatment before any discussion of return, to which he agreed. The family is experiencing concern for the dog, disillusionment, trauma, and grief as their family implodes.  Because of VSW services, all authorities are working it: Animal Control, Police, Child Protection.  All are safe, humans and animals.  Having a social worker and social work interns within the hospital have been incredibly instrumental in this case.

This mom was trying to get her child that witnessed the incident to open up and express his feelings.  She told me that she was able to use what happened in Las Vegas, pointing out that the Vegas shooter did this once and once only. She said they discussed how much pain and suffering the gunman wrought.  She said to her child "One time is enough."  She meant that though there may be no pattern in past behavior; this can still happen, and even though it was once; they will never forget. She is broken-hearted as she loves this man and her children love him too.  All is topsy turvy now for them.  

People can crumble into their worst selves quickly.  We all need to be awake and attuned with our intuition and gut. This past week was hellish for our hospital staff.  We had this case of animal abuse and three more assailing cases. In one of the other three cases, we were able to calm an owner temporarily.  But VSW's found that their job was more of supporting the veterinarians and staff, because the clients were intractable. The staff and veterinarians dealt with these clients who threatened lawsuits, threw numerous expletives, hung up the phone repeatedly with staff/doctors, and demanded innumerable hours of attention. Their language was intimidating and abusive. They also complained about the money required, saying the hospital was all in it for the money.  Advanced veterinary medicine provides so many choices, but no veterinarian is in it for the money.  Look at their salaries.  If you want to go the distance for your animal, and have the best, it costs.  There is little insurance reimbursement for animal medical care.

Sometimes clients' behavior is due to grief and frustration regarding their inability to financially afford a possibility for survival of the pet.  When this is purely emotional, or an acting out of grief, VSW's help a great deal with the client. However, occasionally, a client's behavior is a product of their own personality and patterns of behavior, as in these cases.  No doubt, their behavior has undermined their attempts to have good relationships with professionals before these incidents.  

Veterinary staff and veterinarians model the non-judgement and positivity of the animals who are their patients.  Sometimes, like in these cases, veterinary professionals are blind-sided by people who push, and manipulate, until they become out-right abusive.  Veterinarians are not trained as social workers are:  they are not trained in boundaries or self-care.  Abuse of an animal or human being or community of human beings cannot be tolerated.  

The animals who inhabit our lives and hearts exemplify non-judgement and trust.  Please be kind to the people who have devoted their lives to them, and to your love for them.  Their job is very very hard.

​   ​First, an honest confession.  I was interviewing for other jobs in 1994 because I wanted LSU to compete with an offer to keep me there. I had my dream job at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, which was Coordinator of Counseling Services, but it was part-time at only 20 hours per week.  We had hired an assistant for me, Stephanie Walker Johnson (who took over in my capacity and is still there), because I lived 73 miles away, so how could I cover full-time?  When my divorce necessitated that LSU bring me on full-time and at a good salary so that I could move closer,  I interviewed with several opportunities in pretty places to help me negotiate.  I found the position of Assistant Professor at Idaho State University and applied.  Lo and behold, they asked if I would interview.  I was not one of so many who had dreamt of teaching as a profession.  I taught at LSU, but that I considered different…within my passion, and worth transcending my shyness.  I knew I only had a Masters degree, so that of course put me out of consideration too.  Sure I had published as much or more as many Ph.D. candidates, but I thought, really thought, I was just going to have a conversation and meet people.

      It was February, and I had never been to the Northwest.  I rented a 4 wheel drive, and I did that without knowledge of the place; I thank God or guardians or guides.  I parked fine, but slipped and slid in the parking lot on my way to meet with the faculty.  It was very casual, and when I think back, I know they never thought they would hire me, or that I would accept and be part of their lives for a long time.  All of us were going through the motions.  I remember lunch, where I wasn’t questioned much at all, and they all mostly conversed passionately with each other. This would be a draw for me.  I will always remember being intrigued by Henry Durham who engendered a discussion about suicide as a violent act.  Then there were a few more questions in the main office of Sociology and Social Work, not behind closed doors but right behind the receptionist in the main office.  I remind you that I never expected to be a serious candidate, so all of this was alright with me. 
     
      Enter CLIFF, in a tie-dyed T-shirt, unkempt long hair, and quite frankly looking like he was without a shower in his home. He certainly didn’t fit my ill-conceived image of a faculty member.  I assumed he might be the department mascot or helper.  Lol.   He was either getting coffee or copies from the Xerox, I don’t remember, because coffee was next to the copier.  I was quite piqued in my southern innocence when all faculty greeted him with such respect and friendliness.  But remember, I’m a N’Awlins girl, and this pleased me.  Yeah, even social workers have stereotypes (former students should remember my teachings i.e. redneck vs cowboy) . They introduced him to me, and he turned around and grinned his shy but welcoming grin, and then he disappeared.  It took me some seconds to integrate the parts of my mind.  This is and will be my first memory of Cliff Bryan who would become so important to me.  And I value this memory, because Cliff has dedicated his life to just that…getting people to integrate those parts of their minds and align them with their hearts.

      Cliff and I have had few of the meaningful, sociologically relevant, and profound conversations that so many are describing on Facebook.  I envy those that had the conversations.  Cliff and I were connected through mutual best friends and many students.  There are too many to name but you know who you are.  Some of his besties were mine as well, and now that I think back, our approaches to them were similar when they needed a friend.  Yet, Cliff got to do the fun stuff (i.e. say irreverent things, quip and change their lives, or get ‘em drunk or something akin to that).  I want to say here and now that any friendship with any of that circle was fun for me too, even if I didn’t get included in some of the debauchery.  And I say that because they, these many of the circle, were all so incredibly fascinating, heart in front, and some were geniuses; most had no idea of their worth to me and to Cliff.  I knew this: if Cliff valued a person, then I needed to pay attention to that person.  I also look back to see that so many of Cliff’s closest friends were social workers, and it is because he has always loved the human in all of us and valued non-judgement.  He personified that throughout my relationship with him more than most social workers.

      So by now I hope you assume that I was hired at ISU.  I was, and I accepted, and I spent 14 years with the wonderful faculty and students there.  It was a best time of my life.  And Cliff is in a majority of happy memories.  I laughed more there than I ever had in my whole life, partly because of Cliff, and I laugh less since I left.  So much happened between 2005 and 2008.  And not just for me.  Henry got sick, Hurricane Katrina necessitated my help, and I had several other deaths/losses.  Henry’s illness was something for all of us.  Again, Cliff and I never sat down and talked about Henry’s illness, impending death, all the particulars.  But somehow we just supported one another through that.  And it connects us today, without words. 

      I am realizing as I write that THAT is what I will miss most about Cliff.  I know and he knows without words.  I know he knows me without words, and I know him without words.  I guess for professors that’s pretty rare.  For friends, it makes us pretty profound friends.
When I have returned to Pocatello, Cliff has made an effort to see me every time.  I have met Reta, and I am so grateful to her, to him for being open to that relationship, for the knowledge that he has been loved these past years. That she is the person he needed speaks all to me, because Reta is real.  

​     I don’t know all the reasons my tears keep coming for Cliff.  I understand it will be a well-deserved exit, and an exit he has thought about a lot and for many years.  I think a lot of my tears are of gratitude.  None are regret, because he and I just understand.  I know I will miss him in this world for sure.  In July, I sent him a follow up to a text message conversation, in which he was pissed because he was already ready to go.  In it was  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEWSOPUfYF0.  He sent me a big “like,” but just for you who won’t listen to it, here is part of the last verse: 

Here where the angels
Have appeared and are gone
Your face like an ember
Glows in the dawn
​But I want you to remember
All wild deeds live on
All good times, all good friends

All good things got to come to an end
The thrills have to fade
Before they come 'round again
The bills will be paid
And the pleasure will mend
All good things got to come to an end

All good times, all good friends
All good things got to come to an end
 
        Yes.  It was good Cliff.  All good, sometimes hard, but all good.  I hope you’ll be able to see me when I come, and I thank you so much for even trying. I will miss you when you go, and there is no hurry for me or for all who love you.  I hope you’ll visit in spirit if you can, and that you get together on the other side with so many you’ve lost.  If none of that exists, I want you to know you are in me and my heart forever and for good.  I love you very much, Sandy