The Loss Of Dharma, Births the ‘Days Of Dharma’ Blog Site

“Dharma is telling me something about writing. Does this make any sense to you? He’s saying to me that you need to write,” said Katrina.

I hired Katrina who is a counsellor, life coach, medium and CEO of Kindness on Purpose to help me navigate my way through the grief of recently losing my best mate, Dharma (who was my dog for the past 19 years of my life.)

I was shocked when she mentioned to me about writing, because the past 12 months I’d been thinking of documenting Dharma’s last days in some way, shape or from but had never got around to it. (How often do we do this type of thing!) I knew his time was slowly coming to an end as he had an in-treatable cancer of the mouth and it was growing larger each day. 

After Katrina had suggested (or rather Dharma had suggested through Katrina) that I start writing, I knew it was time to begin this blog. And so, I’ve called this site, “Days Of Dharma,” a reminder for me of the love we’ve shared and the word “Dharma” being from the spiritual Buddhist texts meaning ‘spiritual teachings’ or ‘the truth.’ This blog wont just be about Dharma, it will be my story, my personal journey in life. 

I often said to others over the years that I lived on my own and really enjoyed my own company. The truth was, I’d never really lived on my own whilst I had Dharma. He was always following me from room to room each moment. 

The day would start with me leaning over the side of the bed and gently patting his back. He would begin to stretch and then get excited as he knew it was almost time to walk. For me, he was the greatest physical exercise coach I could’ve asked for. I walked 7 days a week twice a day – whether I wanted to or not. I will admit, even if I didn’t want to walk on a particular day, once I got out there walking, I was so happy to be in those moments with my best mate. We would often walk by the lake in Windang, or around the block in Peterborough. It didn’t matter where we went, there were moments of adventure. 

Dharma taught me patience. I remember in my early years, I was impatient with him stopping and would be always in a rush. Over the past 10 years of operating my own business, things changed. I accepted the fact too that he was slowing down (especially over the past 2 years) and so I began to call those walks “His Time.” It was more about Dharma’s time then mine, although I really don’t know who enjoyed the walks more, him or me.  I would sometimes wait at the same spot for a few minutes at a time as he was busy sniffing out another dog that might have recently pee’d on the local palm tree. I would use those times of waiting like an awareness meditation; just being in the moment. And I loved it. 

Dharma was there during some of my darkest days in life. Relationship break ups, chronic health issues, anxiety, depression and panic attacks. He was there and he was great comfort through all of that time. 

Dharma became the star on my Life Expansion YouTube Channel too. I’m pretty sure he was more loved by my followers than I was (Dharma you star, you!) He would often receive gifts in the mail. He was showered with love even from followers across the other side of the world. T-shirts, dog bedding, pillows, cards were all sent to me to pass onto Dharma. The love for Dharma was felt far and wide.

And who could forget the time I was interviewing the amazing Deb Hann from Hanns On Coaching, when Dharma brought the show to a halt by literally pulling down the entire lighting rig! Oh boy, I am going to miss those fun days.

Dharma made me laugh so much in life. I’m sure as the days go on I will find myself smiling more about Dharma, rather than crying over his loss. One thing for sure, as I look down from my office desk and see he is not there, I do miss him. Terribly. This surge of grief hits me hard in the chest area, often followed by tears.

Here is a photo of the current ‘shrine’ I have set up for Buddy and Dharma – until I scatter their ashes. His pillow on the right hand side, was made by a dear subscriber Nel – who lives on the opposite side of the world! 

Thank you Dharma. Thank you for all the love you gave just by being you. Thank you for pushing me to start this blog site. Better late than never. I love you little fella and you will be missed.  RIP Dharma.