Annie

Annie + Patti

"Annie actually saved my life because she taught me what it physically and emotionally and spiritually felt like to be loved, to be deeply loved. And that was my saving grace." That's Patti, about Annie, a goofy loving dog who walked beside her for 15 years and taught her what unconditional love really feels like. 💛 Because sometimes a dog doesn't just change your life. She saves it. 

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So Patty, tell me about your soul dog. What was her name? Her name is Annie Because she's still in my life, but different. Hmm, love that. And you said her nickname was Annie Banana. Yeah, she was goofy, so, you know, I could be goofy together with her. And how did you, how did Annie come into your life? Oh my goodness. Well, I had two goldfish for like 10 years. One was called Bugeye and the other one was swivel hips. And then they died. And, you know, I really, really wanted a dog, so I went, I just stopped. And the spur of the moment I saw her, I instantly fell in love with her. And um, yeah, it was the beginning of a real true love. Aw. Yeah. You know what? Sometimes those are the best moments in life, right? the ones that you don't overthink. You just know that this is the path you're supposed to go and 'cause taking on a dog and bringing a dog into your life is a huge responsibility but it's also such a beautiful, beautiful adventure and relationship as well. Um, yeah. You mentioned that she's goofy. If there were three words, how would you describe her? Goofy, loving and authentic. Hmm, authentic. Would you say that's one of, um, the lessons that she taught you, or is there a particular lesson that stands out to you the, the value of authenticity is so powerful. Which of course, you know, you use in your day-to-day work all the time, um, as a grief counselor. But what else would you say that you learned from her? Well, you know, John Donahue has, he has this amazing book about the Celtic Wisdom, and it's called Anum Cara Ra. And what that means is Soul Friend and many of the people that I work with that have had a pet loss. They have a hard time describing that sense of being a soul friend. Somebody that you can just be who you are without any kind of hiding. Right? Right. And so Annie was that for me, she taught me what it's like to not be judgmental, to, you know, have no expectations. I mean, when she was hungry, that was about it. Right? When she had to go out to go potty. But yeah, you know, it was a beautiful thing to be able to just be loved for who I was. Right. Right. If you could describe your perfect day with her. What, what was that like? We used to walk in Quiet Waters Park for like 15 years. And Where's that? Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland. Okay. That's where I am. Um, and actually the day before I had scheduled to have her euthanized lap of love came to euthanize her at home and I was able to actually record that with their permission because I didn't know really what to expect. And so the very last day that she was alive, I, I documented our day walking at Quiet Waters Park, and part of the time I had to carry her. But, yeah, it was a beautiful day and she would go frog hunting in the streams. Oh, how cute. And yeah, totally muddy, you know, but it was so much fun to watch her like chase the frogs, you know? Didn't ever get one. But yeah, it was a beautiful, beautiful time of my life. Would you, recommend in-home euthanasia? I've, I've heard a lot about lack of love and I've also have seen the, um. The growth of that, of that market. Where a lot of people are starting to have the veterinarians come to their homes? Well, I can only speak for me and some of my clients, but, for me, it, she was home. Mm-hmm. She was going home to another realm. Right. But she was home with me. And you know, one of the things I've heard quite often, especially from vets, is that, you know. The most that, that, that the animal wants is to have you there so that they see you as the last, last thing they see on earth. Mm-hmm. And I know how difficult it is, truly. I do. Yeah. Um, but I also know that sometimes, I mean, look at all we sacrifice for our fur babies, you know? Right, right. Um, is there, would you, is there a song that reminds you of her. Well, probably John Denver's Annie, uh, yes. That's a great song. Yes. Yes. That's a good, that's a good answer. What would you say was like her greatest, um, lesson to you? Ooh, the Greatest Lesson, well, let's see. Well, you know, they love us no matter what is going on. And I was in a very abusive marriage. Mm-hmm. And Annie actually saved my life because she taught me what it physically and emotionally and spiritually felt like to be loved, to be deeply loved. And that was my saving grace. Yes. Wow. That's such an incredibly incredible legacy to leave behind, is that sense of love and like pure unconditional love, which, um, really like your soul, your soul dogs, your soul animals can, can really provide for you. Is there anything else that you would want people to know about Annie or your relationship with Annie? Oh my goodness. Well, you know, Annie was my inspiration, so she launched me. I have a company, Tobias and Company, and we create silk pillows for, for children especially that are critically ill and grieving, and so we have. Amber's, uh, embrace the Angels. So Amber's Angels. And then we have Grace's Angels. A little 9-year-old girl collected 164 angel drawings from kids around the world. Wow. And now on Animal Angels. And that's Grace's project. So Grace is, she was nine when she got involved. Okay. Uh, with Grace, the Angel, and now she's 16, so she's been with us for some time and she is such an inspiration to so many other young people. About the power that young people have to elevate and inspire other people, other children around the world. That's beautiful. That's such a great legacy and such an inspiration for sure. Annie was in your life for 15 years and, something that I like to ask people is how do you still remember her today? Any advice that you have for someone who may be recently going through that loss of their pet and their, their soul dog. Well, you know, I, I believe the circle of life and death is the same for every life, including, you know. Ones that have roots and paws and feet. So life itself is a circle. And one of the things I did, and I'm so blessed that I was able to do this, I, so I pass out these little guardian angel coins. I'll show you briefly. So these are my pebbles that I pass out to people as I go through life. And on the back of the little guardian angel card, there's a little pewter guardian Angel Pebble. Oh wow. And it has one of five words. So there's peace, hope, love, courage, and faith, which is believing. So I asked Lap of Love, would it be okay after Annie passed, if I could take a card, peel off the back, see her word, and then put it in her mouth because she was gonna be cremated and they said, no problem. So, uh, Dr. Rachel took Annie after she died and two weeks later. I got, um, and Annie's word was love, which was so beautiful. Mm-hmm. Definitely two weeks later I got ashes and there was a big bag of her ashes. And then I looked inside and there was a little tiny bag with the, with a silver ball. And so it was the ball of love. And so I was able to make a necklace outta that. Oh my gosh. And so because of that beautiful closing of that circle mm-hmm. My grief was truly lessened. Yeah. Love that. Love that. That was perfect ending for the Circle of Life.