December 18, 2010

White Dog and the rest of the white ones sat with Steve and I in the office. We were gathered to send letting go energy to Arvo, our Bearded Dragon, who was resting still as death in Steve's hands. Nearly overnight, Arvo had grown pale and dessicated looking. It is clear he is dying. In fact, we are surprised at his tenacity to survive, given his physical deterioration. He is ten years old, and we have owned enough exotics to know that his liver is shutting down, and that he has reached the end of his natural life span. Throughout the day each of the pups has gone to stare into his cage. silently, and then just as silently walked away respectfully. We have kept him warm and as comfortable as we can. Steve removed the live crickets that are normally his food so that Arvo has the dignity of not having insects crawling over him in his last moments. It is hard not feeling like a vulture as we wait for the end but we feel that his passing unnoticed is no better. So we send gentle thoughts of comfort and release as we remind Arvo...and ourselves...that there is a place waiting just for him on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.