Murphy was one of my best friends. He was part of our family for over 13 years and helped raise me. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are with Murphy. Playing catch with the frisbee in the backyard, going on long walks with him and snuggling on the couch, he was always there for me. He was the best dog anyone could ask for. When I awoke last week and found that Murphy had passed over the rainbow bridge during the night, I was absolutely devastated. A part of my soul died with him. I couldn’t fathom how I was ever going to move on because he was such an integral part of our family. He had to know that I loved him, right? I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

During Murphy’s passing, I’ve found myself leaning on my friends and family for support but also embracing nature’s peacefulness. I go outside and lay on the ground, feeling the earth between my fingers and breathing in the crisp fall air. I spend hours reflecting in solitude about all the good times we had with one another. I don’t feel alone in this experience. As I sit under the shade of our 150 year old maple tree where robins above feed their babies in their nests, and the squirrels run around playing together, I know that all the creatures and living things around me are by my side, supporting me.

I truly believe that mother nature has healing powers. It has the ability to recenter and ground us while also amazing us with its beauty.

As I sit surrounded by nature, I feel at peace knowing that it was Murphy’s time. Even though that time might never have been long enough, he knew that he was ready to travel to the great beyond. I find tranquility knowing that he is running through wide open fields in heaven with all of his new friends, with all the frisbees in the world to play with. I can’t wait to be reunited with him again someday. I see his soul in the orange sunrises and sunsets, I hear his bark through the rustling of the leaves in the wind, and I feel his presence in the soft grass on which he used to run. He is now a part of nature.