Through the last chapter, with Dog

Some additional thoughts on the intent of the memoir

Rememberer with Dog is about a life journey of relationships -- continually progressing, multiplying, evolving. Following the thread of the story through the last chapter of the book, however, leaves absent the notion of concluding, instead replacing it with an affirmation of renewal, letting no one go, leaving no one behind, carrying all forward with oneself. If there is an aspect of “letting go” in the journey, it is not the letting go of any persons (and let’s be clear that I consider animals to be persons, as much in possession of their own unique personalities as I am in my own), but the letting go of suffering.

As much as we like to put it to the back of our minds, a sense of loss is something that we have to repeatedly encounter in our physical journeys -- a sense of loss. In writing the memoir I realized that the effects of all those persons on my life did not disappear upon their passing but in fact continued to flourish. I can draw a direct line from a rainy day in October 1999 when I adopted a beagle puppy through all the following: 20 years of marriage, the adoption of seven other dogs, caring for a disabled elderly parent, contributing regularly to certain charities, and writing a memoir that among other things broadened and deepened my awareness, revitalized some wonderful friendships and provided an opening for new ones. Being able to draw that line and seeing it continue forth is what forms my comprehension of the eternal: what we are living in right now, what we are a critical part of, what is not going to disappear from underneath us, nor us from it, ever.

This is the triumphant hope that is hidden inside that sense of loss, waiting to come out in the moments that one can allow oneself to let go of the suffering. For me, writing a memoir provided an avenue to accomplish that, but along the way there were things both big and small that provided intervals of relief, usually when I focused internally or overtly on celebrating the person whose absence was weighing on me. Doing so made that which seemed absent feel present. I think that the sustained effort of creating the memoir enabled that feeling of presence to remain.

Thanks to all who have been supportive of the book so far, especially those who have given it a rating and review. Don’t be strangers, and feel to drop me a note, ask questions and/or start a conversation.

In the very near future, I will be announcing a couple of upcoming appearances. (Yes, the author exists and is an actual person – who knew?)

Stay connected -

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