In all my years writing on LinkedIn, this is one of the most raw, personal, and intimate Articles I have ever written.
The first was in 2017, when our Beloved 15 ½ -year old Australian Shepherd boy, Brutie, passed.
This is my second, when his little brother, Hopie, passed on 4-27-2025.
For those who know and have followed me for years, Hopie is well known to you. I have shared countless videos, posts and articles about him and our exploits together.
He is simply, THE MARVELOUS, MAGNIFICENT HOPIE, the therapy kitty; the adventurer, the determined problem solver, my cancer and chemotherapy nurse who took care of me on the best and worst days of this journey; my lap-companion on the 2-day,1,000 mile drive to our home in Santa Fe each August; the faithful little brother who took care and watched vigil for his brother Brutie on the hard last-year of his life; the little guy who gave me JOY, EXCITEMENT, CELBRATION, AND FUN each day of his life; the son who created a Holy Trinity for my husband and I – ever giving us LOVE, KISSES, AFFECTION, COMFORT, AMAZEMENT.
The video I am sharing was taken on the day he passed. In the 3 weeks between my 3rd and 4th infusion, he had developed cancerous tumors in his Liver which devasted his once-robust body: he could not eat food, was barely able to drink water, threw up constantly and lost ½ his body weight in 3 short weeks.
It was unbelievable, unimaginable, a nightmare of our helplessness to stop the process!
When an ultrasound revealed the extent of the tumors and the impossibility of his surviving much longer, we had to put our desire to keep him aside and concentrate on providing him with as much love and comfort as possible while he had some semblance of “quality of life;” then move forward with “end of life” in the most compassionate, loving manner possible.
I AM HAPPY TO SHARE THAT GOD GAVE US 2 MAGICAL, PEACEFUL DAYS WHICH I CALL “STATES OF GRACE.”
On those 2 days we had CAPSULES OF GRACE which we soaked up and savored, living totally in the moment:
The 3 of us having a special spa-day bath together
The 3 of us having breakfast and coffee in his Tea House and deck Watching him and his tiny body climb his tree, jump to the redwood fence and walk 7 feet before his energy gave out
The 3 of us in bed together the last 2 nights, all snuggled together, talking about our lives together over the last 12-1/2 years
The 3 of us in our Japanese Minka, having breakfast, reading books, listening to the soothing music, snuggling together
The 3 of us sitting in his beloved Garden Marveling at his INDOMINABLE SPIRT AND HEART that announced, “I MAY BE SICK, BUT NOTHING CAN CONQUER MY SPIRIT AND HEART. I LIVE ON AND PLAN TO JOIN MY BROTHER AND WAIT FOR MY MAMA AND DADDY TO JOIN US ONE DAY. WE WILL BE UNITED IN OUR NEW HOME IN HEAVEN FOREVER.”
To ensure that our Hopie Boy would have a beautiful, peaceful passing, we were blessed to find Serenity Vet Care – a small organization dedicated to End of Life Care and Aftercare, serving Los Angeles and the South Bay in California.
(310) 990-1571 www.serenityvetcare.com
Last Sunday, the lovely Dr. Carrie Bagshaw and her assistant, Angie, arrived at our home. We were all crying when we met each other and paused outside my front garden while I told them about the wonderful life we have had with our 2 boys.
Next, we entered the backyard and walked to where my husband and Hopie were resting. Both of them sat on their knees and made friends with Hopie. They told us how beautiful and noble he is, touched him, kissed him. They connected with each of us.
His passing was gentle, loving and healing for all of us.
I pray that sharing our story will bless those of you with a similar experience, now or in the future.