“Gnocchi is dog-shaped drama. She shrieks. She moans. She whines. She takes to her bed like a Victorian. She spends an inordinate amount of time hopping on her back feet, like a tap-dancing lemur, because she’s that thrilled to be alive.” I love this very vivid description of your boisterous girl!! 😍
Caroline, in addition to making me laugh––"A few months into our life together, I found myself searching things like 'adolescent dog evil' and 'puppy asshole forever'?”–––I will keep this post in mind.
I avoid posts about dogs passing away because I don't want to think about it in relation to my Sophie who is seven. I just can't imagine the grief.
But your experience with Gnocchi gives me great hope. Thank you for that.
Ah, I know that feeling well. I too avoided everything I could about dogs passing (even movie scenes!) because the anticipatory grief overwhelmed me. But I’m glad to provide a bit of hope. I’ve found there is much comfort in knowing you provided a life full of love, as I know you do for Sophie.
Oh, Caroline…I was crying almost the whole way through. You’ve had to carry so much this past year. This was so raw and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your life with us. ❤️🔥
I’m elated that you found Gnocchi and she has set up shop in your heart. How on earth did you manage to find the two most adorable dogs in the world back to back?!
Thank you, Jenovia. I so appreciate you reading, and your kindness, as always. (P.S. Now that your preferred season is approaching, I’m going to bug you about a cold weather beach walk!)
"puppy asshole forever?" made me laugh out loud. Also I think this all proves that not only is Gnocci adorable, she is a witch. Happily so. How else could she have saved and summoned the hair tie at exactly the right moment?
What a lovely story. We had to say goodbye to our fifteen-year old Havanese last month and it shattered my heart. No plans for another so soon, but I began to look at breeders and met with a woman today who has a very cute and sweet puppy (I know). Could I do this so soon? It seemed impossible until all the karma in the world led me to your post. 💛
I’m so sorry for your loss. I wouldn’t have expected to be here (and sometimes I have thought, so soon! Too soon!) but I’m so very glad we have her. Wishing you peace as you navigate this time. I’m sure whichever path (or puppy) you choose will work out for the best. 💛
The last few lines of this really spoke to me. After years of subscribing to hustle culture and the message to be a girl boss and entrepreneur (this message seems to be rampant among the industry in which I work); I have shifted my perspective and realized that actually I am happy working for the man and it gives me the quality of life I want. I can live more slowly and intentionally with now enjoying where I am and what I have.
This was very special, and I really resonated with it. Your writing speaks to me so much and I greatly appreciate you sharing these parts of yourself with us. Thank you.
You don't have to change anything. "She looked like an enchanted bunny, with enormous ears and a face like three well-placed blueberries" works as is. Thanks!!!
Oct 28·edited Oct 28Liked by Caroline Cala Donofrio
One of my absolute favorites. What a year it has been for you - the adage "Just because you carry it well doesn't mean it's not heavy" comes to mind, as you soldier forward with grace, while still honoring your grief.
Also I love this reflection on the Ace of Cups. I will be considering this perspective anytime I draw it from now on.
And finally, SHE POOPED IT OUT!!! I think the last I heard, it was still up for debate whether the hair tie had been swallowed, but you KNEW it had. So cheers to trusting your gut too. xo
I totally love this Caroline. Such a beautiful, contrasting and yet hilarious story. I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I shared the loss of one of my precious fur bears that same week so I know just how you’ve felt this week. The hurt takes forever to really subside it seems. Thanks for lovely card reading too. 🤗
I know this is so NOT the point, but 8 weeks?! That is such an incredibly slow digestion system! Did your vet give any indication that it could take that long?
Haha, I very much appreciate this point, because I KNOW, RIGHT? The vet said there was a “very small” chance that the hair tie was hiding in the folds of her stomach (hence not showing up on the xray) and that it could make its way through at a slower rate than actual food. But no one prepared us for 8 weeks! By that point, we were starting to believe maybe the vet was right and we both imagined it.
“Gnocchi is dog-shaped drama. She shrieks. She moans. She whines. She takes to her bed like a Victorian. She spends an inordinate amount of time hopping on her back feet, like a tap-dancing lemur, because she’s that thrilled to be alive.” I love this very vivid description of your boisterous girl!! 😍
Thank you so much, Heather!
Caroline, in addition to making me laugh––"A few months into our life together, I found myself searching things like 'adolescent dog evil' and 'puppy asshole forever'?”–––I will keep this post in mind.
I avoid posts about dogs passing away because I don't want to think about it in relation to my Sophie who is seven. I just can't imagine the grief.
But your experience with Gnocchi gives me great hope. Thank you for that.
Ah, I know that feeling well. I too avoided everything I could about dogs passing (even movie scenes!) because the anticipatory grief overwhelmed me. But I’m glad to provide a bit of hope. I’ve found there is much comfort in knowing you provided a life full of love, as I know you do for Sophie.
Oh, Caroline…I was crying almost the whole way through. You’ve had to carry so much this past year. This was so raw and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your life with us. ❤️🔥
I’m elated that you found Gnocchi and she has set up shop in your heart. How on earth did you manage to find the two most adorable dogs in the world back to back?!
Thank you, Jenovia. I so appreciate you reading, and your kindness, as always. (P.S. Now that your preferred season is approaching, I’m going to bug you about a cold weather beach walk!)
Yes! We must! 🌊
"puppy asshole forever?" made me laugh out loud. Also I think this all proves that not only is Gnocci adorable, she is a witch. Happily so. How else could she have saved and summoned the hair tie at exactly the right moment?
What a lovely story. We had to say goodbye to our fifteen-year old Havanese last month and it shattered my heart. No plans for another so soon, but I began to look at breeders and met with a woman today who has a very cute and sweet puppy (I know). Could I do this so soon? It seemed impossible until all the karma in the world led me to your post. 💛
I’m so sorry for your loss. I wouldn’t have expected to be here (and sometimes I have thought, so soon! Too soon!) but I’m so very glad we have her. Wishing you peace as you navigate this time. I’m sure whichever path (or puppy) you choose will work out for the best. 💛
Hugs! When the time is right, the new soul will come into your life.
Oh my gosh, my heart just doubled in size. Beautiful. ❤️
The last few lines of this really spoke to me. After years of subscribing to hustle culture and the message to be a girl boss and entrepreneur (this message seems to be rampant among the industry in which I work); I have shifted my perspective and realized that actually I am happy working for the man and it gives me the quality of life I want. I can live more slowly and intentionally with now enjoying where I am and what I have.
This was very special, and I really resonated with it. Your writing speaks to me so much and I greatly appreciate you sharing these parts of yourself with us. Thank you.
Can I commission you to write my eulogy?
You don't have to change anything. "She looked like an enchanted bunny, with enormous ears and a face like three well-placed blueberries" works as is. Thanks!!!
Loved this!
One of my absolute favorites. What a year it has been for you - the adage "Just because you carry it well doesn't mean it's not heavy" comes to mind, as you soldier forward with grace, while still honoring your grief.
Also I love this reflection on the Ace of Cups. I will be considering this perspective anytime I draw it from now on.
And finally, SHE POOPED IT OUT!!! I think the last I heard, it was still up for debate whether the hair tie had been swallowed, but you KNEW it had. So cheers to trusting your gut too. xo
Gnocchi! What an adorable and heart-warming story that was not nearly as gross as I was worried it was going to be!
I totally love this Caroline. Such a beautiful, contrasting and yet hilarious story. I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I shared the loss of one of my precious fur bears that same week so I know just how you’ve felt this week. The hurt takes forever to really subside it seems. Thanks for lovely card reading too. 🤗
I know this is so NOT the point, but 8 weeks?! That is such an incredibly slow digestion system! Did your vet give any indication that it could take that long?
Yay for a happy ending to Gnocchi's story.
Haha, I very much appreciate this point, because I KNOW, RIGHT? The vet said there was a “very small” chance that the hair tie was hiding in the folds of her stomach (hence not showing up on the xray) and that it could make its way through at a slower rate than actual food. But no one prepared us for 8 weeks! By that point, we were starting to believe maybe the vet was right and we both imagined it.
Thank you for this well told tale!
Thank you for reading! ❤️
A perfect Sunday night read. Thank you.