Full Hearts
July 3, 2021 by Diana -
Getting to know the new Lucky Six chimpanzees is an incredible experience. In some ways, it seems like they’ve been here much longer than one week. But it’s true that we barely know them. So each new observation, every moment spent with them, fills our hearts.
The thing is, it’s still the same with all of the other non-humans in our care. They are all such interesting and unique beings; we can never know everything there is to know about them, and we still delight in the little moments.
I’ve been reflecting on little moments lately because our dog Wilson, who I’ve written about on the blog before, passed away this week. He had numerous medical issues over the years, and far outlived anyone expectations. His end was sudden, but not surprising, and J.B. and I were both with him. Though his body, specifically his heart, was failing him, it never slowed him down or changed the goofy, lovable, big-headed, empathetic dog that he was. Our hearts are broken, but that’s because they were filled with so much love.
We’re surrounded by life at the sanctuary. Grief is a strange bargain we make, but it’s worth it to feel so much love.
Dora watching herself eat dinner
The one and only Jamie. She tied this scarf on with purpose and wore it all afternoon.
Jody
Wilson
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Blessings to you and your loved ones on the death of Wilson. Virtual hugs to you all.
I am sorry for your loss – Wilson looks like very good boy indeed. Dogs have a special place in our hearts, no matter what, or who, else is also there.
My heart and sympathies are with you over the loss of Wilson. May he rest in peace.
Oh Diana and J.B. we are so very sorry to hear about your beautiful Wilson. You were all so lucky to have found each other. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you.
Oh Diana and J.B. we are so very sorry to hear about your beautiful Wilson. You were all so lucky to have found each other. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you.
What a heartwarming video you have posted here.
Dennis so sorry for your loss of Jack as well.
Sorry for your loss Diana & J.B. Animals are so special. Love Jamie’s scarf. To beat the heat you should show her how cooling a wet scarf around her neck can be. Soak it, wring it and wear it. Just a little suggestion.
Wilson
I love you w/o meeting you! Lost my dog Jack Thursday this week. 12 yrs old. rescue.
Twelve years was a good life for Jack but that never ever makes it easier for those left behind. He will surely be missed. Be well, Dennis.
Sorry for the loss of Jack. Take comfort in the love and good times you shared.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Loss of our fur babies is always so difficult. They can make our hearts burst with love and happiness and though we know one day our hearts will break when they leave us the pain is worth all the love and joy that they bless us with.
I cried reading about Wilson, I know the joy and the pain all too well.
The daily updates allow me to see a world that is completely different from my everyday. Here are these magnificent creatures being cared for and through your words, pictures and videos I am awed by the beauty that they exhibit.
Thank you
So sorry for the loss of your sweet Wilson. Such a handsome fella. I’m glad he had a great life.
So sad that you lost Wilson. Losing a pet is a difficult thing to deal with, but I am sure he had a great life with you and JB. He will be in your memory forever.
Sending Love and Light to you and JB. May your fond memories of Wilson bring you comfort and also the knowledge that you gave him a wonderful life.
Many blessings.
Oh dear, Diana and J.B. Such sadness when we lose our dogs. I still pine for my boy gone 6 years now, as you know. All we can do is hold the memories tight.
Be well. It’s good that your are all so busy.
(I’m stealing your last sentence to keep. It’s a beauty.)
Big handsome Wilson. I remember picking pears in your yard with Wilson and Abbey running around my feet. All I could think at the time was how incredibly lucky these two dogs were, they had you and J.B. as family, and a group of caregivers as friends and chimpanzees to listen to from afar. A rescue dogs dream come true! Looking at Wilson, my heart breaks for you, J.B., and Abbey too. Know we are thinking of you. “Grief is a strange bargain we make, but it’s worth it to feel so much love.” So true Diana, the pain and grief will subside with time but your love for Wilson, so much love, it will remain forever. Give Abbey an extra sung hug tonight, she must feel lost.
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And then there is Jamie. I enjoyed your video so much, seeing the new crew is so exciting but for me, Jamie wins the day. Well, Jamie and her chosen fashion statement that is. Just look at her expression! God I love her.
Oh Diana and J.B. my heart is broken for your loss of handsome Wilson. What a fortunate boy to be rescued by you two and to live in such an incredibly love filled environment. What a well expressed sentiment about the bargain made for love hand in hand with grief. Still wiping my own tears I hold you, Wilson and my beloved dogs who have moved on close in my heart ?? Wonderful photos of the gorgeous family of Chimpanzee people. Jamie and her scarf are just too adorable
I’m so sorry to hear about your beloved Wilson. You are so right about grief! Dogs love us in
such a whole way, with their whole hearts, they are such an amazing presence. What a great video today-I love looking into the intelligent eyes of Jamie, and I am already in love with Dora, I am glad
you have other beings in your life to take care of- I think that definitely helps.
So very sorry to hear about your loss of Wilson. I know this is a hard time for your and J.B. and just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you both. It’s never easy to go through a loss but you are right, it was worth every moment of love that he gave to you for so many years.
xx
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I remember you posting a picture of him on your outdoor table and laughing because we had a rescue that did the same. May all those happy memories of him always give you some comfort.
Deep condolences on your loss of sweet Wilson. All the comments today make it clear that all of us here truly know the love of these animals who trust us to take care of them, and that we all really understand the grief of their loss. My heart-dog Calvin left 5 years ago this week. He’ll always be in my heart and I’ll be the richer for having loved him. As with you and Wilson. And for the dear chimps we all love.
To Diana and J.B.,
In mourning his passing, please remember that you gave Wilson a life of love and happiness at the Sanctuary. Over the past thirty years or so, the genius human primates in our advanced and humane pop culture have saw fit to render dogs into “pit bulls” through breeding and intentional maltreatment. I can only assume that Wilson was bred and
conditioned to be such a dog. Fortunately, he was rescued, and better still
by two knowledgeable and conscientious humans. In seeing videos and
photographs of Wilson, he was usually licking the faces of one of his human
companions, returning the love to those who had bestowed it upon him.
Thank you for rescuing Wilson and Abby, and for sharing him with us who
support the sanctuary. Indeed, he will always be a part of this special
land of refuge. I will pray for the repose of his soul. -R–
I’m sorry for your loss of your beloved Wilson. What a profound thought “Grief is a strange bargain we make, but it’s worth it to feel so much love.”. Thinking of you with love.
I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved Wilson. Such a profound thought “Grief is a strange bargain we make, but it’s worth it to feel so much love.” Thinking of you with love.
Diana and J.B., my heart is breaking along with yours on Wilson’s passing. I’m sure that the grief when we lose a beloved pet is so overwhelming because the love is on the same level…..they give us such joy, loyalty and love unconditionally. I’m sure he’ll be in doggy heaven right now telling all the others stories about the funny hairy people he lived with. Love and blessings to you both and hoping that it won’t be long before the wonderful memories of him fill your hearts more than this sad week.
Losing our beloved pets is not easy. Hugs to you and your family.
I also have to note, Jody ties her scarf on better than I do! I love scarves but never have gotten the hang of how to make them look good on me. She nailed it!
Correction: Jamie!! Not Jody. Stupid autocorrect!!
Dear dear Diana and JB: My heart goes out to you during this very sad time. Reading your post and all the heartwarming comments left for you by everyone made me cry non-stop. It is still raw losing my best friend two years ago so I know your pain and sorrow. You gave him a wonderful life and if you have a dog for 1 year or 10 or 17, it is never long enough.
Dear Diana and dear J.B.
I cannot help but cry thinking of you at this time of loss; Wilson must have had a beautiful life with you, I can see in the photo what a happy, loved dog he was. Your loss touches on all the losses we, the readers of this blog have had in our own lives. And your words are beautiful and true Diana.
And then there is Jamie to cheer you up by tying a scarf around her neck…just for you!
I’m so sorry about Wilson. He Obviously had an amazing spirit and I know he meant the world to you and JB. You lost a special soul and gained six new ones all in the same week. I’m sure your heart is filled with grief and new love. Sending you strength and hugs.
So sorry to you and JB for the loss of Wilson. It’s so hard to lose a family member, but I’m sure he’s watching over you and the kids.
Sorry for your loss. RIP Wilson.
How blessed Wilson was to have you and you to have him to share so much love. May the memories comfort you and help fill your hearts.
So sorry for the loss of Wilson, losing a fur baby is hard. My condolences. Lynda.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Wilson but remember what Dr. Seuss taught us…don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened. Bless you and J.B.’s hearts
So sorry to hear about the loss of Wilson, the goodest boi
So……life goes on within you and without you…. and we hold our memories dear. Our resolve guides us to love anew, best wishes.
And I love that Jamie wants to know just how cool or pretty she looks in her scarf that she checks herself out in the camera <3
Thank you all so very much for your comments and condolences. I know so many have felt the same loss, and your words and sympathy truly touched me.
Diana and J. B. I’m so sorry for your loss and feel the pain you feel nosing a fur baby. Wilson has brought many memories to lots of people and he will be missed. May his memories he imprinted on your hearts keep you filled with love. Give Abby an extra hug from me.
That is losing not nosing. Darn autocorrect!