The wind blew gently, stirring the dry leaves on the sidewalk. The afternoon was falling slowly, tinting the sky with orange and lilac tones. Circle of Life by MasTorrencito
On a park bench, two figures remained seated. One of them, with his shoulders hunched and his gaze lost in the ground. The other, with a gesture of calm, observed the slow movement of the world around him.
-I don’t know what to do, Mario,” Julia murmured in a muffled voice. I don’t know how to live without him.
Mario looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He knew that feeling all too well. Julia squeezed the empty leash tightly between her hands, as if there was still a tug on the other side, as if she still felt her dog’s heartbeat with every step.
-It’s hard at first,” he replied, taking his time. You expect to hear his footsteps, turn your head and see him there, wagging his tail, waiting for any excuse to run away.
Julia nodded slowly.
-This morning I woke up and, out of habit, I looked at his little bed,” his voice cracked for a moment. And it was empty.
Mario sighed. He knew that words could not fill the void. There was no real consolation, only time, only adaptation.
-And what will you do now? -he asked, knowing there was no easy answer.
Julia shrugged her shoulders.
-I don’t want another dog… I cannot. It would be like betraying him.
Mario smiled sadly.
-That’s what we believe at the beginning. But, you know, it’s not about replacing it. No one can do that. It’s about understanding that our life is empty without them.
Julia frowned, almost defensively.
-It’s not that easy, Mario. You… it took you months to adopt another one.
He laughed softly.
-Two months. And every day without a dog seemed grayer than the one before.
-Did the duel last that long?
Mario shook his head.
-It is not a question of duration, Julia. Some people wait a year, others a month. There are no written rules for this. But in the end, those of us who love dogs… always come back to them.
Julia looked down, thoughtful.
-I feel like if I brought another dog in now, it would be like I was forgetting too quickly.
Mario leaned a little closer to her.
-Would you really forget it?
Julia hesitated. No, of course she wouldn’t. She would never forget his loyalty, his unconditional affection, the way he would snuggle next to her on cold nights or how he would look at her when he knew something wasn’t right. Her dog would never leave her memory, her heart.
-It’s not about replacing,” Mario continued, “It’s about continuing to love. Because loving a dog is not a single experience, it’s a way of life.
Julia swallowed.
-How long do you think it will take for me to feel ready?
Mario smiled softly.
-It’s not about being ready. It’s about accepting that when the time comes, you will know. And that new dog that comes into your life won’t take his place… but it will fill that void he left.
Julia closed her eyes for a moment. The wind was still blowing, but it didn’t seem so cold anymore.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and Julia, for the first time in days, felt that maybe… maybe the future wasn’t as empty as she thought.
Reflection on Loss and Love for Dogs
To lose a dog is to lose a part of our soul. He is not just a pet; he is a silent companion who has witnessed our joys and sorrows, our good days and our darkest moments. He has watched us with unconditional love, without judging us, without asking for anything but our companionship in return.
And when they leave… they leave a void that seems impossible to fill. We feel guilty for moving on, for laughing again, for even thinking of opening our hearts to another dog. But isn’t that what they would have wanted? Haven’t they taught us, with their infinite loyalty, that love doesn’t run out, but multiplies?
Adopting another dog is not forgetting. It is to honor. It is to understand that our life without them loses color and that, just as they gave us happiness, we can give a home and love to another being in need.
Because love for dogs is not measured in the time it takes to reopen our hearts, but in the ability to continue loving despite the pain. And when a new companion comes into our life, he or she will not be replacing, but continuing the legacy of love left by those who have gone.
Is it betrayal to move on or is it the greatest test of love?
What do dogs teach us about life and death?
If love is infinite, why are we reluctant to give it again?
From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs be with you!!!!
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