It’s Goodbye for Now

By Published On: 3 April 2012Last Updated: 17 January 2017

I've been sitting here trying to write this post all day. I keep typing and erasing, typing and erasing. It's no shock to me that I can't write, it's been happening to me for the past two months- or, 60 days.

What's in this post

I’ve been sitting here trying to write this post all day.  I keep typing and erasing, typing and erasing.  It’s no shock to me that I can’t write, it’s been happening for the past two months.

It’s been 60 days as of today that my soul-dog Olli died.  In that 60 days I’ve had two senior kitties diagnosed with a terminal disease, both failing at a steady and fast past.  And to be frank, it sucks.  It all sucks.  It’s hard to watch loved ones die obviously, so caring for the cats is bittersweet.  I’m grateful for every second of every minute of every day that I have with them.  I go out of my way to give them the things that they enjoy to help ease the burden of their diseases.  I will sit in an uncomfortable position for hours because a sick kitty is in my lap and I don’t want to disturb them.  It’s bittersweet, like I said.

And that’s not even addressing the underlying grief of losing Olli.  Trust me when I tell you, it’s no fun to talk to me about that, it’s sad.  Truth is, all this sadness is making it hard for me to talk about anything.  I simply have nothing to say.

So, I am saying goodbye to YDV for awhile to care for my girls and grieve for my lost friend.  I’ll come back again when the time is right.

Before I go, a few things.  I’m still selling (and will continue to sell) t-shirts over at YDV Souvenirs, perhaps you’d like to buy one?  You can feel good about your purchase too!  I donate a portion of proceeds to charities that care for the lives of animals.  The latest design:

Because Lobsters really are freaking cool!

I’ll still be on the web during my sabbatical from YDV.  Stay in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram (user name is Your Daily Vegan)!  Seriously, stay in touch- you know how much I heart you.

Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to the following folks who graciously donated an item for review.  The reviews unfortunately didn’t post (see: circumstances above) and everyone was super understanding and awesome about it.  Good folks, that’s what I’m saying.

Everyday Happy Herbivore by Lindsay Nixon.  Nixon’s new book offers up over 175 vegan meals that you can make in 30 minutes or less.  In true Happy Herbivore style, the food is low fat/fat free, packed with nutrients and made with the stuff you’d find in almost any pantry.  Perfect for folks who are interested in eating healthy food but don’t want to spend a million years in the kitchen cooking 3 meals a day, or folks who are just looking to add some tasty recipes to their repertoire. (There’s single serving dessert recipes in this cookbook.  Single. Serving. Desserts. Swoon.)  Check it out at Happy Herbivore.

The Tourist Trail by John Yunker.  This fiction novel has everything that a great book needs; Action! Spies! Adventure! Love! An environmental/animal rights message and heroic vegans!  I read it, I loved it, and I passed it on.  Find out more at The Tourist Trail.

[Also, this is hilarious.]

Comfortably Unaware global depletion and food responsibility…what you choose to eat is killing our planet by Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander.  This easy to read book takes a look at the consequences of our eating habits and the effect they have on our planet.   Comfortably Unaware refers to our own general complacency about our actions.  This book is a good primer and conversation starter for folks who care and want to make a difference.  Find out more at Comfortably Unaware.

That’s It. Fruit Snack Bars.  In a word, delicious.  These vegan, all-natural bars are made with 2 whole servings of GMO-free fruit and nothing else- that’s it.  They’re convenient, low calorie and perfect for a healthy snack on the go or in a packed lunch.  They come in several kicking flavors; Apples + Cherries, Apples + Apricots, & (my favorite) Apples & Pears.  Check them out at That’s It.

Vivian Sharpe Vegan Superhero by Marla Rose.  This new (vegan) adolescent fiction book deserves high praise indeed.  Erik Marcus reviews this book nicely (and says what I would if I had reviewed it), be sure to check it out.  You can find more at Vivian Sharpe Vegan Superhero.

So, it’s goodbye for now.  I’ll be back around again- hopefully under much better circumstances.  ox

In Loving Memory, Olli

Sunrise 2004 ~ Sunset 2012

14 Comments

  1. Christina April 18, 2012 at 11:01 pm - Reply

    I’m so very sorry for your loss. You take all the time you need to grieve. Sending you blessings and peace.

  2. That's It Fruit April 6, 2012 at 6:07 pm - Reply

    So sorry for your loss.

    We at That’s It Fruit thank you for your kind words.

  3. Ashley H April 4, 2012 at 9:23 pm - Reply

    I feel for your lost and I hope everything goes well for you in this time of sadness. I completely understand I lost my soul cat due illness after 15 years of having her since I was a little child. I will also keep you and your kittys in my prayers.

  4. Heather April 4, 2012 at 9:27 am - Reply

    I am sorry for your lose and also sorry your leaving FB. I have, very much enjoyed your site. Great recipes and always useful information. Thank you for your contribution.

    Heather

  5. Lidia April 4, 2012 at 6:13 am - Reply

    I’m so sorry to hear of your painful time right now. Many hugs! May you return when the time is right.

  6. jlschubert April 4, 2012 at 5:43 am - Reply

    I’m so sorry for your loss and for the sick kitties. :( Take care of yourself. And thank you for all you do.

  7. Mo April 4, 2012 at 2:46 am - Reply

    I am so sory to hear of your sadness. You need to have time to grieve really don’t you and I am glad you are taking that time. Take care of yourself. It’s little consolation at this time I know but they will always be with you because they are a part of who you now are. My thoughts are with you. x

  8. Diana April 4, 2012 at 2:46 am - Reply

    I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. I identify with your sorrow and stress and we will miss you, but you need to take the time to grieve and let the losses you are going through settle into your heart until such time that you can move them to a less painful place . That takes time-lots and lots of time. I know.

    When my Mom, who was my very best friend in the world, died seven years ago, I could not understand how each breath was coming out of my mouth. I couldn’t fathom how my heart kept beating and truthfully, I wished it would just stop and let me be. I wished that wish very hard, but it didn’t work. I knew I shouldn’t wish it, as I had two sons, one a teenager and one in college and they didn’t need to lose their Mom on top of losing their beloved Grandma.

    Exactly six weeks after I lost my Mom, my soul kitty laid down next to me on the couch, and died of a heart attack at nine years old. Right beside me. Utter devastation does not even describe what I felt.

    I was still wrapped tight in the shell of pain and grief over losing my Mom, and now my kitty best friend? To say I was shattered into a million more jagged pieces is an understatement. Why?

    Of course there are no answers, and of course, you have to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to make it day to day, but it is a hard, sad, gray place to live in.

    And now, on to these years down the line. My sadness still catches me unawares and I still sometimes burst into tears when I least expect it, but I can also finally appreciate those beautiful, funny, silly, special and wonderful memories of those I’ve lost, including my big old main coon, who looked like a mini “lion”. Cancer took him a year ago at the age of 18. I am so glad we got to have his companionship for so long and we miss him greatly. Life, oddly, goes on-whether we want it to or not.

    I’m sorry this is so long, but I just want you to know that every feeling you feel is understandable and expected, no matter how weird or odd it seems at the time. And it’s okay to sit in your house and scream and cry and shout yourself hoarse. Or swear and curl up into a ball on the floor. Or rock yourself until you calm down.

    Just do what feels right to you. And don’t let anyone else tell you how to grieve. Or when that grieving should end. It’s none of their business. It’s your timeline, not theirs.

    I’m there with you in spirit and I understand.

    Wishing you peace and healing,

    Diana

    *I follow you on twitter, if you ever need to talk. I am #veganzeus there.

  9. lisa April 3, 2012 at 10:27 pm - Reply

    take good care of yourself.
    so sorry for your great loss.
    lisa

  10. Ashlie April 3, 2012 at 10:15 pm - Reply

    I am so sorry for the loss of your precious dog Olli and for your sweet kitties illnesses. I agree that you will be missed. Thank you for this post…hugs to you.

  11. Julia April 3, 2012 at 9:01 pm - Reply

    It’s really tough what you’re going through. One pet loss is trauma enough but to deal with the hospice care of more, I can’t imagine. My heart is with you. Let me know if you need anything, you know where to fine me. –Snarkyvegan

  12. Gina April 3, 2012 at 8:28 pm - Reply

    You will be mIssed. Please email me if you want to talk. :) You are and will remain inspiring to me and many others. I am sorry for your pain. Much love.

  13. Dawn April 3, 2012 at 8:21 pm - Reply

    Thank you so much. :)

  14. peach April 3, 2012 at 7:51 pm - Reply

    So so sorry for your loss and for your sick cats. It truly is heartbreaking. I lost my soul dog ten years ago and it still brings me to tears. You’ll be missed!

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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