23/02/2019
Our dog died today and Way of Council helped us through
(This is a note sent to a kindergarten teacher from a parent. The names have been changed.)
Our dog, Sophie, suddenly got really sick and poor Liza had a front row seat to the devastating end. We made the very difficult decision to humanely stop her suffering and as you can imagine we are all broken hearted. Liza called Sophie her big sister and they were amazingly close.
As we huddled around her giving her last gratitude and love, our family and my best friend decided to hold a Way of Council with Sophie in the middle. Liza and Kayden facilitated the circle and I think it was an extremely powerful loving way for us to help Sophie and ourselves say goodbye as her family and her circle and for us to come to acceptance about the very difficult decision we had to make rather quickly with little warning.
The kids were able to leave the room with Robert as the vet came in to join me and help Sophie pass to the other side. I credit the Way of Council ritual as we had taken the time to make dedications to her, a round to share memories of her and offer her gratitude as our closing, each kissing her at the end.
Join Circle Ways at our next FREE educators' circle in Culver City: https://www.circleways.org/events-calendar/2018/4/25/educators-circle-f7wd8-jtbsd
