It’s been one year since you left us and moved on to doggy heaven. I miss you so much. I feel a bit guilty about forgetting the day of your passing and what sparked the memory was me scrolling through my YouTube video archive and noticed the title of the video: July 29, 2023 – Mystique’s departure.

Last year, I received a text message from Myles (our brother), him letting me know that that you, our family dog, (about 16 years old) was suffering and that the family had decided it was finally time to put you down. Immediately I felt a wave of grief wash over me. I was both ready and not ready for this day.

They had booked a vet to come to the house so that you could leave us with some grace and dignity, not in some vet’s office that seems … just so clinical. Because of how much I love you (and I know how much you love me), I couldn’t bear the thought of you leaving this world without me being there physically for you in those last moments. So I had asked mom if she could postpone the vet appointment by 1 day, allowing me to hop on the next plane from Seattle and get down to Los Angeles. And so she was willing and I’m so grateful I was able to spend those last moments with you.