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Life

Wolf

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 18 comments
Wolf

On Saturday my sister’s dog passed away. He was 15, so it wasn’t a complete surprise, but I don’t think anyone expected that by the end of the weekend he would no longer be here. When her other dog Jake passed away, I wrote a tribute to him, so I wanted to do the same for little Wolf.

A tribute to Wolf. // dreams-etc.comWolf,

I tear up each time I say your name and now, writing it, I’m crying, because writing to you makes it seem really official. You’re gone. I won’t have a chance to hold you or smell your breath as you lick my nose. I won’t see you curled up in a ball on your bed or feel your sleek body beneath a blanket when I check to see if you’re there. I won’t feel you, warm and solid for such a little guy, on my lap.

Fifteen years ago I met you for the first time. You were just a tiny puppy and I held you in the palm of my hand. You were so quiet and still that I hoped you were still breathing (you were!) and I hoped you would be the dog they would take home. I was so happy when you were! Somehow, I expected you to remember me a couple months later when they brought you home. You didn’t, but I don’t think it took long for the two of us to become buds. I loved visiting them and having a chance to play with you. I loved when they went on vacation and left you with me.

I wasn’t sure about your name when they told me. Wolf. For a tiny little doxie. But Wolf turned out to be the perfect name for you. What you lacked in size, you made up for in spunk and fearlessness. Your personality was larger than life.

I was asked what one of my favorite memories of you is. The first time I met you is definitely one, but as I tried to think of another so many went through my mind. I have 15 years worth of memories with you, little guy. How can I choose a fave? But a memorable one–one that I think of often–came to mind. It always makes me giggle. I was sitting on the couch eating a sandwich and at one point I took a bite and saw you taking a bite of the other end.

And then there was the time that I took Little One to her new vet and when I was asked how I heard about their clinic I said, “My sister brings her dog here.” They asked what your name was and I said, “He’s a miniature dachshund. His name is Wolf…” and I was about to say your last name, but the vet smiled and nodded. “Oh yeah, I know Wolf.”

You weren’t always a fan of new people, you had your people and they were all you needed. And those who were lucky enough to be on your list of humans… you loved them deeply.

So thank you, sweet Wolf, for being a wonderful companion to my sister. Thank you for following suit with my niece. Thank you for being a constant and faithful presence for their family for the last fifteen years. And thank you for being there for the rest of us too. It was a joy to watch you grow. You were a source of comfort, a fun pup to play with, and the best “canine nephew” that I could ask for.

I love you and I’ll miss you.

Crystal

ps – Wolf took over the blog one day and wrote for an edition of Little One’s Adventures.

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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18 comments

  1. Gina says:
    January 11, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss! Wolf sounds like a really special dog. What a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  2. Jessica says:
    January 11, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    This is so sweet and I know losing a family member is tough, but hang in there. Always remember Wolf would want your sister to give another dog the love he felt from all of you! He is now free to run, play with Jake and live without any pain. My heart goes out to you during these tough moments.

    Reply
  3. claire says:
    January 11, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    awwww. 15 is a good age. My doggie was only 9 and it was a shock. It broke my heart. Hugs to you xx

    Reply
  4. Trish says:
    January 11, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    This is a beautiful tribute to Wolf. I am also a dachshund person, too, and love the sweet photo as well. Sending many comforting thoughts to your sister and family at this time! It sounds like Wolf had a wonderful, much loved life with them.

    Reply
  5. Marci Smith says:
    January 11, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    This actually made me tear up!
    I’m sorry for your family’s loss, he sounds like he was a wonderful dog. There’s something about a Doxie’s spirit that always seems to live on

    Reply
  6. Christine says:
    January 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about this. What a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  7. Colleen says:
    January 11, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Oh I am so sorry for your loss.:( It is so hard to lose a beloved animal that you were so close to. I wish you and your sister peace.
    You wrote a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  8. Chelsea nee says:
    January 11, 2016 at 5:36 pm

    I am so sorry for your and your sisters loss. Loosing a beloved pet is never an easy thing but your letter to him was a very sweet way to send him off.

    Reply
  9. Krysten says:
    January 11, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Oh man, this makes me cry. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss and I’ll be thinking of you and keeping Wolf in my thoughts too.

    Reply
  10. Chrissy says:
    January 11, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    I am so very sorry, Crystal! What a sweetheart Wolf is! Sounds like he had a wonderful fulfilled life! Hugs xxx

    Reply
  11. Tara says:
    January 11, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    What a great tribute. Dog do hold such a special place in our hearts! Sorry for the loss of such a special friend.

    Reply
  12. Linda says:
    January 11, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    Animals are such a blessing and quickly become a part of our families, but the saying good-bye part is never easy. When it hurts, that means it was a really special relationship! Hugs!

    Reply
  13. Jessica says:
    January 12, 2016 at 4:01 am

    I am so sorry! It’s so sad to lose a pet. Praying for yall

    Reply
  14. Charlotte says:
    January 12, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Awwww, this post totally breaks my heart šŸ™ I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Wolf sounds like the sweetest little pup ever and I love all these wonderful memories you share here (especially the one about the sandwich). It helps to hold on to those, though I know saying goodbye is the hardest part. Thinking about you and your family. XOXO

    Reply
  15. Sara Strand says:
    January 12, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    This is awful. I hate when pets pass on because it’s just so sad. The great thing though, is that he went knowing how much he was loved. And really, that’s all any of us want at the end. Hugs!

    Reply
  16. Allison Jones says:
    January 13, 2016 at 10:45 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Our dogs really become a part of our families. My niece’s dog died a few years ago and we were all devastated.

    LiveLifeWell,
    Allison

    Reply
  17. Tara says:
    January 13, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Crystal, this is a beautiful tribute to Wolf. I know how much you and your family loved him, and of course, he knew it too. ♄ What a sweet little puppy he was–when not being a ferocious beast, of course! I will miss the pictures of him cuddled into a round ball in his bed. But I’m happy for you and your family that he lived a good, long life.

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth Than says:
    January 14, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Sorry for your loss, Cyrstal. *big bear hug*

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unvent Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unventful Northern Lights tour the night before and slipped in a few hours of sleep before meeting our bus for the Golden Circle tour. Our tour guide was @busdriver_annie and she was amazing! Pictured: Faxi (the small waterfall) Gullfoss (the big waterfall), a wool market where we also saw some animals, and Geysir (the hot springs area). Geysir is actually the most famous geyser in the world but it doesn’t erupt anymore. However, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. I’ll share more photos from the tour soon!
Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 am, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and went exploring. We saw HallgrĆ­mskirkja, the amazing view from the bell tower, the rainbow street, and walked down Laugavegur. Swipe to the end to see the view from our apartment!
Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam apparently.
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