Conversations with Critters

Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And a mini murmuration of European Starlings flock the backyard on the wings of a prayer, the day after the great passing of a great little dog…

Apr 26, 2024

Today, Critters, we share the sad news with you that our beloved little dog, Panda, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, peacefully and surrounded with luvluvluv.

We have a few thoughts to share with you now and will return to our regularly scheduled programming next week. So, please stay tuned for conversations and commentary on the results from our Clarion Call for Subsmissions of your own favorite Animal Antics.

Most of all, we want to thank you —with all our heart —for your kind words of support during this time. You mean the world to us. No one goes through loss alone: not the loss of a person whether a Hooman being or a dog being, a cat being, a bird being, or a critter being of any form.

For the first time in almost 35 years, I, said Hooman, am dogless. I would also like to note that many times over the years, the day after the passing of one of my animals, I have been blessed by flocks of birds who come around me in great displays of flight; Mourning Doves after the passing of my beloved cat, Barney; American Crows, promptly at 5 pm daily for weeks on end, after the passing of my little beloved black dog, Indy. Dinner time. It’s still my dinner time. You need to be reminded!

Now, I witness and I welcome the Starlings, in mini murmuration, the sounds of their wings rhythmic, percussive, like drumming of the air as they fly from the yard to the pine trees by the road, back and forth, swooping in aerobatics so natural and freeing.

An American Kestrel roosted up up up in the pine tree, in the late afternoon sun, the day before Panda’s crossing of the Rainbow Bridge. This beautiful little raptor got bumped off his pine bough in the golden light by a Starling who had better ideas. I want that spot. That perch is my perch. None of this is lost on me. All of these sightings, these avian visitors, are gifts of great transition, of passage, of time and love. I take solace in their arrivals. They are magical and messengers for the love of the whole natural world, the truth of which was contained for me, for over 15 years, in the form of my precious little dog.

The day of Panda’s crossing, late in the afternoon of April 23rd, the moon was full in Scorpio, the gravitational pull like a ticket for the safe passage out of here. As night fell, there was extra light to guide her. An aperture. An opening. A journey to elsewhere.

Please, take good care of yourselves as we are here doing the same. Furever. And if you are experiencing the grief of companion animal loss, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available.

You are welcome, always always, to contact us here at Critters.

If you are in the U.S., our veterinarian gave us the phone number for the Pet Compassion Careline at 1 (855) 245-8214. This is a 24/7 grief support available to all.

For the animals,

H & Critters,

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Journey to Elsewhere

Panda’s Messengers of Peace

Cross the Rainbow Bridge