Amore Animali

Today we went and visited the animal cemetery here in Southern Italy where our dog Ranger is buried. Hundreds of tombstones with pictures and loving text from their former packmates (owners). I burst out,

"Just think, all these animals have made so many people happy!"

Can you walk in to a human cemetery and say the same?

These are Amore Animali.

Cemetary for Pets

Continuing the Memorial for Ranger.

Sunday evening, we went to the Veterinary Clinic where Ranger had passed away, to retrieve his body. We had a kind of "wake" for him at home, where both humans and the other dogs could come and pay their respects, and come to terms with the tragedy. He spent the night in our cool basement, guarding the rest of the family one last time.

Monday morning the Cemetery van came and picked Ranger up. A very quiet, gentle and kind man who understood our grief. He treated Ranger with respect, which was a huge comfort to us.

We followed the van thinking that a cemetery didn't feel right for us, we wanted his ashes in a urn. But that just wasn't an option here, unfortunately. How could a sad place heal us and how could a sad place look "pretty"? We thought about the garbage problem, and how people have to live with that surrounding so how could a Cemetery for pets be nice?

On our way we saw stray dogs roaming around on the streets, garbage piles and empty ugly houses, a very sad environment that we live among.

Suddenly the van made a left turn off the road, and then a right turn into a park. A wonderful green park with beautiful flowers, and nice cut bushes, a water-fountain gave a relaxing sound. We walked out of our car and were greeted by a happy three-legged Yorkshire Terrier followed by his friend; a red cat. Behind them a big gray Mastiff (7 months old) wobbled out of his small dog house, and loped toward us on his huge paws. Some other pets greeted us and their love and healing felt so wonderful. We laughed while our tears ran down our cheeks.

Two men gently lifted Ranger out of the heavy plastic bag (that the hospital had put him in and I hated)--he had lost a lot of blood and flies became attracted--and put him on a big piece of fabric up on a table. Todd had put Ranger's red collar with tags on him. {Ranger Mercer, 910-868-6424. Reward for Return, "I Am Loved"} He had bought a raw-hide chew bone ("He will be hungry at the Rainbow Bridge", Todd said), and together with his little, red teddy-bear and favorite blue blanket we could "see" and be with him for the last time. That meant a lot for us to stand in peace with him; we are thankful they gave us the time to say good bye.

They wrapped him in the fabric and put him gently on a cart and we walked to the grave we had selected for him. Throughout the process, the cemetery people were respectful and reverent. He was a loved soul in their care, and they took their task seriously.

With Ranger placed kindly into his grave, Todd shoveled the first spade of dirt, then the men finished burying our boy. Olivia had a white flower that she gave to him. I thanked Ranger for letting me into his life and I recalled how when Todd was in Iraq, Ranger slept on the sofa snoring so it sounded like Todd was home. It was then a relaxing, comforting, wonderful sound; and now a fond memory!

Todd read the poem about the Rainbow Bridge and said good bye to his dear, old friend, and thanked him for being a wonderful and patient buddy, "He was always so loving and patient, waiting days and weeks for promised walks, rides in the truck and play."

The funeral process done, we wiped our eyes and sniffled back the continuing tears. Olivia had to go to the bathroom, and we walked away from Ranger's grave toward the cemetery office. Still, we didn't want to leave. Over the next 30-40 minutes, we individually and together gravitated back again and again, to say one more thing to Ranger, reminisce or to weep some more. All of us.

It was comforting for him to be in such a beautiful, serene, honorable place. He's among other obviously loved and missed pets. In that way it is nice. But he can't come and nudge our hand over his head for a much-needed pet; can't slobber over us in loving ecstasy, and can't solemnly tolerate Olivia climbing on him any more. He's with us in spirit, we know, and his love for us remains. But he isn't with us in body. And that's what really hurts.

Gosh, Ranger, we are so heartbroken without you. Our Amore Goof!

Mourning Family

We all mourn differently and to watch our family mourning is very interesting and educating... and of course heart-wrenching.

The two legged family has cried--still--my husband mopes around sad, I am sad and angry and Olivia, she tells us to be quiet, "Rah-Rah is sleeping."

When she sees dad and me crying she looks at us with her deep blue concerned eyes and tells us to kiss each other. My little (big) Amore girl!



My (our) very good friend Paulo was on her way over Sunday to give Max a baptism present, she got shocked when she got the news when arriving. Ranger was also her favorite dog of our four!

What was wonderful in that devastating moment of grief was that Paola took over the phone, called the ER station and wanted the whole situation explained. She also called two other veterinarians to find out if everything had been taken cared properly.

We told her we wanted Ranger's body from the vet clinic where he had died, and we desired cremation since we wanted to be able to bring the ashes with us when we moved. She made some calls to various places, conducting research on the phone (on a Sunday morning) and the only place that would do cremation individually (opposed to a mass incineration) was more than a three hour drive from here and only cremated once a week. The weather is getting hotter and it would be impossible to have his body here for so long. Paola told us about a cemetery outside Varcaturo that is so beautiful, "I cried when I walked out of there because it is so beautiful." she told us.

She made all the arrangements, called the cemetery several times and they would come and pick him up the next day in the morning and we could follow.

Paola we love you for your loving support and love. Super Amore!