It was a rainy day. (Isn't that how all "good" stories start?) I was working from my home office and walked into the kitchen for coffee. Since I needed a break (pun intended), I thought it would be a suitable time to carry a bag of trash out to the bin. (Don't always go with a random plan.) I walked outside into the drizzling rain, stepped off the deck (one step down) onto wet grass, slid, and I'll spare you the ensuing drama filled minutes following when I screamed for help. I’d snapped my fibula and severely broken my ankle.
Fast forward a few days. I was in the hospital and had just returned to my room following a third surgery. I sported an external fixator with pins in the foot and leg for stabilization. Painful? Yes. But the real pain was happening in my heart.
I'm sure you all have heard me mention my beloved cat Snookie. I'd had Snookie for 17 years. I'd rescued him when he was a year or so old, so we weren't sure of his age. He'd been dealing with issues for a couple of years, and I'd actually taken him to the vet the week before my accident. She'd sent him home with pain medication in hopes that he would be comfortable, expecting him to pass away at home. The morning I'd slipped, I had been upset because I was to take him to the vet in the next day or so as things were worsening for him.
Sitting in my hospital bed that afternoon, I realized I still hadn't cried over my broken ankle. I hadn't felt sorry for myself over what I knew was going to be a long healing journey. But I was on FaceTime with my daughter, who had Snookie at the veterinary office. It was time. 17 years of unconditional love and my good-bye to my little man was going to have to be over the phone. I couldn't hold back the tears.
My youngest daughter has become my caregiver while I heal. She had flown home immediately and has arranged to stay here – working remotely – until I’m able to walk and care for myself. I’ll be non-weight bearing for quite a while. The fixator is still in place with the pins into my foot and shin bone. I am hoping by the end of next week that I’ll have my outpatient surgery to have the fixator and pins removed behind me and I will have graduated to a cast or boot.
But the reason I’m sharing all this is not for attention to my mobility challenges. Others deal with worse. But I’m sharing my story because although I know the importance of what Pet Perennials gifting service provides, it is a blessing, a healing thing, for people experiencing the loss of a pet; I have been reminded, with the loss of Snookie, of the value Pet Perennials provides from the pet parent who grieves point of view. Both Remy and I had recently lost our own pets at the time our business started. So, our business was born from a place of wanting to help others heal from loss. But that was a long time ago. And this has been a reaffirmation that our mission and service is important, compassionate, and needed. I’m blessed to be able to share this service.
When I returned home from the hospital the reality of Snookie’s absence was painfully real. I had my other cat, Pumpkin, whom I love dearly to cuddle. But it was apparent she was grieving our boy also. Snookie was gone. No more popping his head up over the arm of my chair. No more tapping my arm when it was time for his feeding. No more waking up to his little face in mine as he sat on my chest watching for me to open my eyes.
A package arrived in the mail. It was clearly marked as being from Pet Perennials. My business partner had personalized a Forever in My Heart frame with a photo of Snookie and me. She’d hand-stamped the sail of a cat windchime with his name. The handwritten note included in the gift brought another flood of tears. It was just what I needed. Remy knew the importance of my little guy to me. She took the time to acknowledge that loss. She gave me a keepsake to remember him.
The past few weeks have been life-altering. Some challenges are temporary, some permanent. My ankle will heal. It will take time, but I’ll be back to my daily life as before in a few months. I’ve been humbled by the outpouring of love and support. The offers of help, the kindness of others, the dinners, the cards, the selflessness of my daughters to uproot their lives to care for me without hesitation. I’m grateful. I’m blessed. I’m looking at my recuperative time as a period of forced rest and as the universe telling me a change of direction was needed in my life.
This is the first time I’ve really opened-up about the loss of my Snookie and my fall. I apologize if I’ve left anyone hanging – or wondering if things at Pet Perennials were okay. I’m blessed to have a business partner in Remy that is supportive and so competent. She shouldered the work while I shut down for a bit to heal. And I’m thankful for our team who keeps our services flowing daily. And I’m thankful for all of you. You are the caring ones I’ve been humbled by. The ones that know the importance of lending a helping hand, offering support, or sending condolences or offering get well wishes when someone is in need.
The world can seem chaotic, even uncaring these days. I’m here to tell you that from the neighbors who rushed to help, the ambulance service, the staff at the hospital, the skilled surgical team, my friends, family, and co-workers – we are in a community together. Kindness far outweighs division. Caring far outweighs indifference. I’ll be a better person after this ordeal is behind me. I’ll be a better friend, daughter, mom. Let’s all stop and get off the whirlwind life throws at us and take time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for as the month of gratitude kicks off.
Goodbye October, I can’t say I’ll miss you this year. Hello, November. I’m grateful you’re here.
For more information about our products and services, visit our website and discover how you can create a lasting tribute to your beloved pet.
Lori is co-founder of Pet Perennials and a lifelong animal lover. She currently resides in a small lake community with her two feline companions, Snookie and Pumpkin. Lori learned to ride a Western Saddle as a child and rode English as an adult. When her oldest daughter fell in love with horses as a young girl, they eventually rescued a horse named Sugar and enjoyed time on the trails of NW PA. Her daughter's passion for horses continues and as an adult, she rescued a horse and in turn is now passing on her love of everything horse to her own daughter.
Pet Perennials offers a Gift Perks Service with all-inclusive pricing for Pet-centric businesses to send thoughtful sympathy gifts to clients, family, and employees conveniently and affordably.
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