Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday Adam and I buried our beloved Magikal dog.
As I type to you I can see his fresh grave in our backyard, near his once favorite trees for circling and potting.
His last day was sweet, if sleepy... he went for a little hike in the desert with us (well, really he rode along in his pack as we did the hiking). He played his favorite game of Fight and Bite, he ate a good dinner, he sang with us, and slept lots of the time curled up close to us. Something was different, this we felt because he was so very sleepy he did not even wake up to have any tastes of our Mexican Tortilla soup... As he has always been a big fan of anything with lots of pepper, cumin, and garlic something seemed a miss.... That night (Thursday) he began to have seizers every couple of hours. These episodes were each under 5 minutes but distressing because they effected his ability to breath and that, naturally, caused him to be panicky. By 10 AM on Friday morning we knew it was time to take him to the doctor... As there was no place to go with medication and his general condition was so very dire, we made the difficult choice to out him to sleep. It was not an easy transition...
When we brought his sweet little body home things flowed in a natural and beautiful way... all unplanned and unspoken Adam went to dig a hole after lighting candles and incense on the alter before which Magik's body lie. I set about preparing Magik for burial. As Adam choose a spot suitable and honorable for lying our little one to rest, I gathered Magik's toys and name tags,and prepared a bath of rose and sandalwood, fresh garden herbs and flower petals. Magik's Grandmother, Caroline, was able to come right away. She flowed into the space and activities... She cuddled him a bit, said good byes, and helped Adam dig out the grave. Magik was snuggled into his favorite and warmest blanket, the shawl from India, and I washed his body one bit by one bit, full of loving adues, thanks, and well wishes for his next place of being. After he was cleaned his body was anointed rose and sandalwood oils. He was alone in front of Ganesh as his sister Lila got the courage up to approach and sniff him a little... The time had come for us to say our final goodbye. On a bed of rose petals, in his warmest blanket, holding a Tara tsa-tsa image at his heart between his paws, Adam and I buried Magik. Beside him we placed his toys, his name tags, great love, deep gratitude, and the joy of a sweet circle complete. I was so glad his Grandfather, Robert, and Grandmother, Amina, were here after it was done... it felt like a wake and that space of honoring was so lovely.
Magik was my first dog. His presence brought immeasurable joy to my life and our home. As you know, it was a hard life our little one has had to live. Having nearly lost him in the beginning we fought hard to keep him healthy and happy for all the days of the 2 1/2 years he was in our care. So much bonding unfolded as we walked and rocked him on bad days, listened and kept watch on good ones. He taught us to play the way he loved best and patiently waited for us to offer such recreation. By the last quarter of his life we had reached a point where he was alert and joyfully responsive but completely unable to navigate the world, even in regard to his most basic functions. He spent all him time in arms or him a safe room built within a room in our kitchen. Never truly safe unless he was being guided, we took him in and out for potties, created a system of floor covering to make it OK for him to forget 20 times a day where potties were to occur, helped him find his food and water bowls and regularly finger feed him.
In the end, even his sister seems to have grown to love him despite her concern about equal distribution of attention. (She never actually gave in and kissed him but would often wag her tail and sniff him briefly and flirtatiously!) This is a testament to his phenomenally delightful spirit. Magik was magic. He is joy.
Ya Fitah, Little One... We hold you ever in our hearts and will smile always in remembering your goodness.
Parvati Forrest Anee
Forrest and Adam,
I wish we could fully express our deep sorrow....
We hope you find solace in knowing that no little creature has been so well cared for or so well loved.
Dearest Parvati and Adam,
Who ever Magik has been in your lives before you have certainly honored
him with your loving kindness in this one. What a lucky doggie to have
known you both and all your loving friends.
Praise to Magik on his journey into new adventures. May you dear One in
your next life have a strong body and as much caring as you have
received in this one.
With love from our family to yours...
Dear Parvati and Adam, Bon Voyage Magik! May ease, awareness and bliss surround you! And all our love to the grieving family. Sending all my love...
Dear Adam And Forrest,
Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Magic was a special guy and you the best life he could have. I know it was a difficult decision to make but the right one for him.
Adam and Forrest,
Our hearts go out to you and we love you!
Thanks for sharing your tribute to Magik - we're so sorry to hear the news. He was so lucky to have the two of you caring for him these last couple years.
Hi Forrest and Adam,
I'm so sorry to hear about Magik. It's devastating to lose
such an important member of the family. Please take good care
of yourselves and each other. We love you and are thinking of
you during this hard time.
Dearest Adam and Parvati,
I really loved reading about your ceremonial offering on Magik's passing.
And seeing the pictures of his sweetness. You both are so very precious,
such loving lights in the world. I think Magik was very lucky to have had
such a life with you, and such a loving transition into the Mystery beyond
this life!!
Sending you so much love and blessing in your healing!!
Forrest and Adam,
The pain now is part of the happiness then - the happiness then is part of the pain now (said by C.S. Lewis). The memory of Magik will always be there, and a treasure. My thoughts are with you.
Dear Adam and Forrest,
I am so sorry to hear that your Magik has left his body. He was a fierce lover of life. I remember his love for Lilly when he visited.... Thanks for the e-mail photos of him. Be loving to yourselves.
Hope you and Adam are doing better day by day in your grief process. I was thinking it's not the length of time we get, but the depth of love we share. I can't imagine in all the world where he would have found more tenderness and loving attention than with both of you. I'm so happy for all the times I got to spend in your home hanging out with Magik, watching him dance (in circles) and sing, and be cuddled and how expanded my heart became just being around all the TLC. I'll always keep the image of you dancing with him in your snuggly at our circle at the Farm.....sweet, sweet memories.
Forrest and Adam,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Magik from your home to the yard. God certainly sent him to the right owners for his last few years of life. What a royal life you were able to provide him, and a loving, close, resting place for eternity. I hope over time your grief will soften and your memories sweeten.
Lots of love and prayers your way...
Dear Parvati and Adam,
I wept when I read the news about Magik,saw the beautiful pictures and read how you celebrated and honored him. My heart is with you!
Sending love and hugs...
Dear Parvati, So sweet and dear, thank you for sharing Magik's last day with us. He was such a sweetie. Your caring and love for him vibrated out into the human world too to your clients and friends. His next life will be much better because of your love.
My deepest sympathy, the loss of Majikal must be very painful and leaves you both with an emptiness, but to be so thankful that he touched your lives and he was placed by God's hands into your care and love.
Mourn his loss and remember that he lives on within your heart and soul.
My love to you both, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi guys, gosh, sorry to hear about Magik.... We know exactly how you feel - you have our sincere sympathies. Sounds like a very nice final tribute/blessing you gave him. I liked that little guy - feel a bit choked up as I write this... May he have a good rebirth. Hang in there.
Dear Ones,
Your relationship with Magik is very much alive in my heart. I have many soulful images of you both being with him. I will never experience Jai Ram Sri Ram the same. Yesterday I sang it most of the day with poignancy. Thank you so for sharing and teaching all around you how meaningful animal companions are.
Dear Adam,
Thank you for sharing your pictures and your poem. We have dug doggy graves. The activity was bittersweet for us.
Many blessings dear one.
Hi Parvati,
I am so sad to hear of the passing of Magikal. As you know, I too am living with 2 dogs whose ends are near. I appreciate your sharing of the ritual and burial for your dog. As in so many ways with you, this too will influence my life in a positive way.
Many prayers and blessings for you sweet sister.
Hi Adam & Forrest
Thanks for sharing the special journey you had with gentle, playful Magik - thus far. I send you all a hug and as the journey continues, maybe you will feel his spirit even closer than when he took a body..
I'm so sorry Adam & Forrest. Little Magik was fortunate to find you, as
he enriched your lives, you enriched his.
I'm so sorry for your loss. You know, he's still with you, and always
will be.
tashi delek, dear friend, thank u for letting me know of magik's passing. we all were fortunate to meet. your healing will take time. & u have many fond memories of your little loved one. we pray that the next life maybe a human form, yes. a higher form. though, w/ our pets love we always wonder. they r so loving more than some humans. ok love take care. will light butter lamps for missed 1 here @ h.h.dali lama's temple. sarva magalam
I'm so sorry to hear about Magik. I know Forest must be devistated. Give her a hug for me.
I am so sorry for your loss, how wonderful for the time you all had
together, you truly touched each others lives.
Thank you for sharing and letting me share in your journey.
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Dear Adam and Forrest:
I was so sorry to hear that Magik came to the end of his time with you
(for now). He had a wonderful life with the two of you loving him so much and
caring for him so well. I loved your descriptive letter of the death and
funeral, Forrest, and the beautiful pictures you shared with us. Blessings on you
both.
Thank you for sharing Parvati and Adam..your sweet and touching story. Our
hearts are with you.
Adam & Parvati,
This is so sweet. I can only say my heart is with you both as you
say a farewell for now to this tiny companion. Although there is not
much you can say to ease the suffering when one is physically
separated from a faithful and beloved pet, I just want to thank you
both for showing up last night (I know it must have been hard) and
giving us the opportunity to at least try to give some support.
Please let me know if there's anything you need.
Adam and Forrest,
I had not realized that this weekend was such a sad one at your household.
Oh my goodness, Goddess, Godness--what a departure of a loved one! Those
photos of Magic touch me so much, especially in knowing that he indeed has been
a truly beloved child/pet of yours. And, it's true that to meet him, one
cannot help but love him. What a precious little spirit he was!
Please know that my condolences are with you.. and that I send much love to
you both.
Dear Adam and Forrest,
Thank you for the sharing of your love for Magik.....may you grieve
gently, knowing that love never dies.
Parvati,
Your words are so eloquent, and the manner in which you draw the fullness of
the picture, I cannot help but feel the tears well in my eyes in my feeling
the fullness of your heart that has indeed been so touched by this magical
pup.
THANK YOU for sharing your heart is the authenticity that you do.
Dear Parvati and Adam:
You have our deepest sympathies upon losing the physical presence of little Majik. Len and I have always admired that adorable and special little dog. We have both been cat and dog owners, and we have been very attached to our pets in the past. Pets are great trainers in the art of unconditional love and understanding. Thanks for informing us and know that Majik is happily on to his next evolution.
This is so touching, thank you for sharing with me. I'm so sorry for your loss. Magick was so lucky to be in your care, and I know he brought you both so much... what a beautiful way to see him off.
God bless little Magik, he was a sweetie. I love your poem.
I am sending you loving thoughts during this time. He sure was a cutie with lots of personality-it beamed through the pictures in Adams tribute. You guys really honored him with so much love and respect. How wonderful... you were his guardian angels too
Dear Adamjee,
It has been sudden for me, Magik's news of passing away. It was very
touching to go through what Forrest had to say and looking at his pic, I had
tears in my eyes. These simple animals come into our life, accept us just as
we are, expect us to accept them just as they are and that is all that is
needed. How simple, how touching, how very enriching for us (humans)with all
our knowledge and years of learnings, experiences.
I cannot imagine Mimi and Mojo not at my side and I have never as yet
experienced the loss of a dog. I will need all the strength in the world to
face up to that day. As of now, thankfully, Mimi and Mojo are much young and
I should not get these thoughts in my head...If and when the day comes I
hope I will be able to get in touch with a person as you to let out all my
emotions and fears..no one around me really understands!
Do you think you will go for another adopted little soul, so that Lila again
gets a company of sorts?
I know your days ahead will be filled with a sort of blankness as you would
visualise Magik to appear anytime but in vain. Your description of him and
his funny little ways were so vivid that I feel I knew him very
well..specially his large hearted simple soul.
May God take him in his arms and give him a lovely garden to play about all
day...
For,
My heart truly goes out to you and Adam in this time of loss. I know that Magic Man was as much a part of your life as anyone I know. I know his next incarnation will be better and he was happy with you. May life flow as it will sweeping us to its ultimate goal.
With many blessings and lots of love...
Sorry to hear about Magik. I talked to Mom Saturday afternoon and she told me about it. Hope you are OK.
Dear Adam and Forrest,
So sorry to hear about Magik. Having had to put several beloved dogs to sleep, I think I can understand the deep grief you feel.
My prayers for all three of you...
Ya Salaam, Ya Salaam, Ya Salaam.
I know how you loved him so. My heart grieves with you and sends love and wishes for blessings and strength to you to get through this in a healing way and with open hearts. You took such care of him and he knew more love and joy with you than he could have with anyone else, i am sure. Our animal family is so important and i am so grateful to have been able to share with you about this as we are of one spirit on this one.
Hassan sends his best wishes too, he just told me and his condolences.
There are no words to make it easy,as we well know. I will share with you something a bit odd, 2 plus years ago , I was driving at 5a.m. and rescued a puppy probably 4 monthes old or so, still wearing a collar from when she was very young, so that it had begun to rot her neck from being to tight and never removed. I drove her to work with me,stopped and got her a breakfast burrito,and told all the angry contractors to "get over it" as they stared at their watches...I named her Magik, same spelling.
What a beautiful memorial............will you take me in when Im sick and ready to move on??
Though his life with you was short....it was very blessed. Thank you for
sharing the pictures, poem and story of the end of his life. I always
enjoyed Magik's presence when I was in your home.
The closure of Magik's earthly life was done with such sweetness. Blessings
to you both as you live with the memories of him within your hearts.
Very sweet! Thank you for sharing your sweet caring for all living beings.
Dear One,
My heart is with you!
I know how precious and close Magik has been in your life these recent years... though I don't know all the stories, I know he wove magical webs of tenderness deep inside you.
Sending lots of love and light to you and Adam, and to Magik's traveling spirit...
Dear One: My love and heart are with you. Magik was indeed a lucky dog to have had you and Adam for parents. May the aupiciousness of his life continue in a good rebirth. All beauty becoming...
Dear Ones,
Magik will be at the Rainbow Bridge, tail awag and eyes bright and watching,
when your time comes to soar to that celestial destination.
One's soul becomes complete only when one has shared love with a pet.
How very sweet. I mourn your loss--we mourn your loss. Thank you for the sweet pictures and poem. We love you both!
Forrest & Adam ... John and I remembered the Magikal Dawg through your writings and pictures. Thanks so much for sharing his beautiful life with us. Much love to you ...
Ohhhh ... I'm SO sorry to hear it. I know you guys loved that little dog.
Please convey my sympathies to Forrest, and you have my sympathies too.
Hi Adam and Forrest
I am sooo sorry to hear about Magik. I can't imagine what you both must feel right now.
Please know you all (Adam Forrest and Magik) are in my prayers.
A friend once told me when I lost my beloved cat, C.C., this special thought, and I have never forgotten it.
Not gone...
Just gone on ahead...
I send a BIG hug and all my love to both of you.
* Some notes about the haiku poem for Magik.
This scene, essentially, I observed the day After Magik's passing.
The haiku came virtually at once, very quickly and with almost no working.
Autumn is the present, recently arriving, season. It symbolizes death; the butterfly, the eternal Soul, and also the Spring of new, or perpetually renewing, Life.
Amidst falling leaves, the butterfly faces some hardships, dangers, but goes on undaunted, dancing as it were, darting between the falling leaves. Magik's life was hard but - like the butterfly - he danced along innocent, undaunted. The same must be true for each of us, and this notion is especially important to remember at a time of grief.
Toward the end of his life, the physical circumstances of his body caused degeneratively waning health leading to an inevitable end, like leaves die and fall from a tree; meanwhile, his spirit, his happiness, danced through all of that as if none of it were true.
In the poem, is it the butterfly "dancing", or the leaves? Both, one by way of the chilling breeze of Autumn and by gravity, dancing downward toward their end; the other, dancing upward by way of some internal, self-generating impulse - the impulse of Life to go on in joy, despite the physical and inevitable influences. The butterfly and leaves are dancing together, as Spirit and Nature.
Magik's life fell to the ground, but his spirit danced and dances in the Light of God. Magik's body lies "amongst autumn leaves" now, yet his spirit in our memories - and his very soul - are liberated, like the butterfly, flying above the inert ground. The lightness of the butterfly is the antithesis of the heavy, dense earth.
The sunlight illuminating the leaves and the butterfly's wings makes them essentially one, makes them appear alike. The leaves are falling, dead, while the other, ascending, is alive. The sunlight is the internal, Eternal Light whose Unity reveals that we are all One and never truly separate, apart, or fundamentally different, but dancing playfully together, as all of this life is "lila," God's delight and play.
Magik danced into our lives, illuminating them with his presence. His spirit lives on through all seasons. He is Spring to our Autumn.
Magik is our rare, precious, little and delicate "yellow butterfly," especially when held up in the setting sunlight of the coldness of life, of the season of waning, of growing old, of facing hardship and loneliness, the feeling of Autumn. Magik, like the butterfly, reminds us of the tiny, essential beauty - the "Jewel in the Lotus" (Om mani padme hum).
-- ACB 10.16.06
© 2006 Adam and Forrest
Burke