Hey Darling Ones,
Today is the 24th Anniversary of I Will Dare(.com). The song is 40 years old. It was released in July 1994, according to Wikipedia. I’m sure I’ve remarked on the July coincidence before, but it feels like brand new information to me.
I also learned that the 24th anniversary is the opal anniversary. Feel free to send me this tiny opal kitten (or one of each color).
Usually I love to revel in I Will Dare’s anniversary and marvel at my life’s work. Chronicling your life online for twenty-four years is quite an accomplishment.
Instead of marveling and reveling, I’m mourning. Sister #2 had to put down Walter yesterday. Losing a pet, even one you only had occasional responsibility for is heartbreaking.
Though I haven’t written about it much, I’m really trying to focus on the love and joy in my life. Walter’s death is giving me a chance to put that into practice. I’m sad that he’s gone, but I’m also happy that he can rest now.
He’s been on a steady decline for a few years now and his dementia was making him agitated. He was constantly pacing and unable to relax. Sister #2 said his decline was really noticeable when she returned to Oregon from her stay here in June, and that’s when they made the decision.
I’m so glad I got to have Walter in my life for ten years. When he was here over Christmas he could still recognize me and I got to say to him, “Hey, peanut buddy, you love me. I love you. We love each other.” Then I sang him the “puppy butt” song that I made up for him. I called him my peanut buddy because he was here when I first watched “BoJack Horseman.” Walter wasn’t a Mr. Peanutbutter kind of dog, but definitely my peanut buddy.
My heart hurts today, but I know it’s bigger, better, and stronger for having loved Walter.
Here’s to another year of iwilldare.com.
Still only a little bit of heaven & a whole lot of hell,
Jodi