I Buried My Dog's Ashes Today

I couldn't put it off any longer

Some weeks ago I wrote about the death of my dog, Cooper:

Remembering Cooper Dog

Today the Gods have blessed us with absolutely beautiful weather here in Western Washington State. The sun is shining brightly on this winter day, and it's actually dry and warm outside.

Given the beauty of the day, it was right that I choose today to finally put Cooper to rest.

His loss is still raw. I got through burying his ashes without tears flowing, but they are now as I write this missive.

That’s Admiral Cooper to you!

I buried his ashes near the big maple tree in our front yard. The one the squirrels live in that is frequently visited by so many doves, goldfinches, and blue jays. The critters will keep him company, and I’ll get to walk by him each day while filling the bird feeders.

His resting place is marked with a small piece of marble that I inset into the ground, so that we can see it from our window.

But all of this has me thinking about our spirits after death. Does Cooper in some small way remain? Will he patrol our front yard as he patrolled our home? Guarding over it and us as he was always so very eager to do? Does he know where he is? How much he was loved?

Can he take some measure of pleasure in the fights and playing of the squirrels now in death as he did in life?

I like to think so.

I like to think that his spirit, part of his soul lives here with us still. Watches over us. Helps us make this building of wood and glass and concrete into a home.

Goodbye Cooper. We’ll remember you, and love you, until we join you.

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Photo by Felipe Palacio on Unsplash

In much happier news, I’ve added a Book Club to this Substack.

I’ve long wondered what on earth I should do with the Chat feature here on Substack, and I’ve finally decided that it is perfect for discussion of books. I hope that you will consider joining in the continual conversation that will develop there: