The Odyssey

This story chronicles my journey during the summer of 2009 when my long time canine companion of sixteen years, Simon started showing signs of chronic hip dysplasia which resulted in his eventual passing on August 28, 2009. It also shows what happened to us in the aftermath and the next year when I flew back to North Carolina and made an odyssey of closure.

Losing a pet is one of the worst things a person can ever experience. If you don't believe me, try going through it yourself. I've had tremendous losses in my life. I lost my mother when I was 14. I lost my best friend from AIDS in 2005. My youngest brother was stricken with leukemia. He survived but it took a devastating toll on my family. All of which did not compare with the incredible grief I experienced when I lost Simon in 2009. The grief I felt still resonates within me today. It is hard to explain why the loss seemed to be so great. Could it be because pets are so innocent and completely dependent on their owners? Could it be that they simply just exist to love us and please us? Could it be that he was my only constant for sixteen years, nearly half my life? Whatever the reason, a part of me died when he passed and unless you've been through it before, you know what I'm talking about.

I am a Child Protective Services social worker. I grew up in Rochester NY where I lived for 20 years up until 1991. I then moved to Charlotte NC where I lived for the next six years. I went to graduate school there at the University of NC at Charlotte and obtained my Masters degree in Counseling. It was in Charlotte that I adopted Simon in 1993. In 1997, I left my home, my job and my friends and took a leap of faith and moved Simon and I to San Francisco CA. We lived together through good times and bad times for the next 12 more years up until 2009. On August 28, 2009 I lost him after a long struggle with hip dysplasia. Since then, Simon has inspired in more ways than I could ever imagine. I became involved in PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support), and with the SPCA where our newest family member, Judd, a 2 year old scottish terrier, is an Animal Assisted Therapy dog. None of which could have been possible if it not been for Simon being such a significant part of my life and my identity. I currently still live in San Francisco with my partner Jim and our baby Judd.