Motley Matters: For Kira

There is something about having a warm, fuzzy little body to love on that is so very comforting. Animals have been used as therapy for years, and for good reason. Let me share a story with you:

In October 2012, my baby brother, Sean, passed away. It was unexpected and devastating beyond words. He left behind a grief-stricken family who didn’t know how to go on in a world without him. Everyone says that “time heals all wounds”. Well, my friends, that is a bold faced lie. They don’t heal, it might scab over a bit, but the pain is always there.

There is, however, something that can help keep that pain in check: something that kept all of us functioning at a time where functioning didn’t seem important. As I look back, I’m surprised I didn’t see it before. I’m talking about the healing power of pets.

During the months after my brother’s death, my mom simply could not function: enter her Silky Terrier, Millie. Every day I thanked God for giving my parents Millie. Millie made my mom get out of bed. It was Millie who encouraged (and when I say encouraged, I really mean harassed) mom to keep going to the dog park and meeting her friends every morning. That dog gave my mom purpose and kept her moving every single day. The women at the dog park were therapeutic for her too. Millie was good for my father too and I know that my dad was so very relieved that my mom was getting out and going to the dog park. We used to joke at how spoiled Millie was; now we don’t. She deserves to be treated like the fluffy little Queen she is!

Our own animals gave us similar comfort. My Callie and Montana, 90lb Golden Retrievers, followed me everywhere in the days following Sean’s death. I couldn’t understand it at the time, but it was their way of comforting me. If I sat on the floor, Callie was crawling on top of me (she thinks she’s a lap dog). Diva, our cat-who-thinks-she’s-a-dog, took to sleeping right behind my head at night. She’d never done that before: it was sweet and comforting.

And then…there was Kira. A widow at 31, my brother’s wife, Paula, was beyond devastated. A few months prior to his death, Sean and Paula adopted Kira.

Adopting Kira

A large black lab mix, Kira was an exuberant puppy. Sean was the disciplinarian, Paula was the fun parent. After Sean died, Kira was lost. When we arrived a few days after his death, you could tell she was confused. She looked for Sean, he wasn’t there. She didn’t know what was going on, everyone was so very sad. As time went on, Kira and Paula formed an unbreakable bond. Kira was the reason Paula got up in the morning. Kira was simply there when Paula needed love, but didn’t want to talk to anyone. She gave Paula purpose and the unconditional love and comfort she needed. The night before Sean’s memorial service was full of tears and grief. As we all sat in Sean and Paula’s backyard, we couldn’t help but laugh as Kira ran circles in the yard…chasing the spotlight in the sky.

Sean and Kira

Kira was Paula’s travel companion as she began her new life without Sean. She walked on the beaches of Florida with Paula and hiked the mountains in Colorado. She helped Paula realize that there was still life after Sean.

Paula and Kira

These animals selflessly helped our family go on.

Sadly, Kira died in a tragic accident two weeks ago. Her passing was just as unexpected as Sean’s. Paula is now left to grieve another lost love. I kept thinking of what I could do to help ease Paula’s pain and honor Kira’s memory. So here you go:

My children and I volunteer each weekend at Ohana Animal Rescue. So many animals need good homes, and so many people can benefit from the love and comfort these animals can offer. Ohana is desperately in need of donations for the animals, whether it be supplies or a monetary donation. If you’d like to donate, please click a link below. Feel free to mention they are in honor of Kira, a wonderful friend, companion and healer….gone way to soon. Thank you.