My canine friend, Tully, died on July 26th at just 3 years of age. In the space of 2 short weeks, invasive cancer took her from being her vibrant, athletic, fun-loving self, to being without a functional life. I will miss her for a very long time – and fondly reflect on what a great girl she was.

We’ve lived with Bernese Mountain Dogs for 25+ years. They’re a particularly intuitive breed who want to partner with humans. Tully gladly embraced that bond in true form. We enjoyed a mutual receptivity to one another; soul-making of the sweetest kind and a lost friendship deeply grieved.

She was a bucket of fun and, along with that gleeful side of her, she was also a master at holding eye contact with the clear, steady gaze of open awareness. She ticked all the boxes, made friends with everybody – it’s her legacy.

A close friend asked if our family has a particular ceremony for burying our dogs’ bodies. We do. As I think about the last rites that we performed to honour Tully, I reflect on how alike that process is to the grief, love and gratitude for the Earth that Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects offers.

Once again, I see “In the particular is contained the universal.” (James Joyce)

Our dogs have taught me so much about paying attention, being receptive, and about cultivating deep listening. I credit them with broadening my sense of relatedness to all of wider Nature. It’s a familial way of seeing the world that, like Tully, is filled with joy.