Gallery

~

Gallery ~

Images and stories from Madeline’s deathwork.

Penny’s Peaceful Passing

We were blessed to have home euthanasia for our 16-year-old Penny, which enabled us to say goodbye in the days leading up to the appointment. These photos document her peaceful passing journey.

Read captions for more of the story.

After the euthanasia, and holding her for a while, I layed her down and we all placed a single flower with her body and wrote notes to her.

I placed her in the burial basket in a cozy position. We kept her overnight for burial the next day so there were ice packs underneath her at this point.

The ceremony was held outdoors in our gazebo, where I created a sacred space, played soft music, and lit candles. My mother read a poem out loud once Penny had passed.

The next morning and throughout the whole journey, we moved very slowly. We made coffee and breakfast with Penny nearby, kissing her forehead and holding her paw as needed.

I will forever remember the flowers that seemed to be blooming just for Penny that day and the gorgeous colours that adorned her Fall passing journey.

I planted a daisy above her..

RIP Mowgli and Penny, together furever. — I planted a daisy above her.. RIP Mowgli and Penny, together furever.

Mowgli’s Wake & Burial

Mowgli's death was an anticipated but unexpected one. Unfortunately, many of us often experience the death of a pet this way. I was in the process of planning a home euthanasia appointment within the next couple of weeks, but woke up to him limp and lethargic one day. We took him to the vet that morning and brought him home to hold a short wake before burying him. Afterwards, I felt it was too rushed and made a point to take more time with Penny, and with any pets in the future. These photos document Mowgli's wake and burial.

Read captions for more of the story.

That morning we did nothing but spend time with Mowgli before taking him to the vet.

After bringing him home, we placed him in his basket and made sure Penny got to sniff him and say goodbye.

My husband, mother, stepfather and I listened to music and talked about our memories of Mowgli for a while.

We each placed a bunch of flowers around Mowgli, that we would later place on top of him in his grave.

My mother and I gathered more spring flowers from around the yard while my husband and stepfather dug the grave.

I held his adorable polydactyl paw for one of the last times.

Placing him in his grave under the plum tree where the sweet violets grow.

I lined his grave with fern and comfrey leaves from the garden.

I covered him up and we each placed a bunch of rhododendrons on him, along with the Sunny Girlfriend narcissus I planted for him the year before as an anticipatory grief ritual.

I lit candles in these lanterns after his burial, and they burned for days. Looking out my window at night, it felt comforting to see them flickering, as if he wasn't alone out there.

These are all the spring flowers that were blooming for him when he died. Mowgli passed in May 2021.

RIP Baby Mowgli — These are all the spring flowers that were blooming for him when he died. Mowgli passed in May 2021. RIP Baby Mowgli <3

Beloved Companions

More photos capturing beautiful moments and displays of how much these animal companions were loved. Madeline supported in various ways and is sharing these tender moments with permission from their loving humans.