By Peggy Arthur
Greetings, readers, writers, and everyone in between.
I had hoped my next update here would be to share that the final developmental edits of my book were completely wrapped up. Instead, life called for a heartbreaking pause. Yesterday, I had to put my sweet boy to rest, and I felt compelled to step away from the manuscript to share this very personal tribute with you.
Today, I was gently reminded that October 27 marks Día de Muertos de las Mascotas—the Day of the Dead for Pets. Yesterday, I said my final goodbye to my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Croix Lionheart Arthur.
Croix entered this world on March 3, 2013, and came into my life when he was just a tiny pup. I chose the name Croix, French for “cross”, reflecting the truth that every soul, human or canine, must carry their own cross. He carried his with grace, courage, and unconditional love right up to the very end.
Over the past few months, I have noticed so many dear friends walking through the heavy grief of losing their companion animals. That shared heartache called me to write today. If you are currently navigating the loss of a four-legged family member, please know you are not alone.
A Steady Light in Stormy Days
Croix lived a full, well-traveled life across Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Georgia.
When he first came home, I was navigating an overwhelming season of acute stress and emotional exhaustion—one that eventually led me to a partial hospitalization day program so I could heal. While that difficult chapter is behind me, the role Croix played during it remains unforgettable.
During my time in the program, the wife of a fellow participant took Croix under her wing. Having recently lost their own beloved dog, they showered Croix with warmth, passed down everything from raincoats to puffer vests, and gave him world-class training. While I spent my days doing the hard internal work of recovery, Croix was strolling Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. He was a lucky, deeply loved pup, and his steady presence became an anchor that helped bring me back to solid ground.
Letting Go With Love
Yesterday, he passed peacefully at home, wrapped in familiar comfort.
The veterinarian who assisted us was extraordinarily compassionate. As the sedative gently took hold, I stroked his soft ears while he drifted off. He let out a soft, familiar snore—a quiet confirmation that he felt safe, calm, and completely at ease. Sitting beside him, giving him those last gentle pets, my mind flooded with thirteen years of memories and the deep, pure happiness he brought into my life.
I fell in love with Cavaliers years ago because my grandmother, Ellen, and I used to watch Lady and the Tramp together on borrowed VHS tapes. Croix was everything I could have ever hoped for in a canine companion: loyal, gentle, and noble. Every dog parent believes theirs is the best dog who ever lived, and every dog parent is right—especially about Croix.
The Weight of Goodbye
The truth is, this loss hurts down to the marrow. My face is raw and swollen from crying.
Croix had weathered many of the typical ailments of his breed over the years—a heart murmur, allergies, cataracts, and luxating patellas—but in the end, advanced age caught up with him. Recent seizures triggered a rapid decline and signs of canine dementia. Over the past month, the seizures intensified, and the toll on his fragile body became too much to bear.
He was in pain, refusing water, and losing control of his body. Yet, in true Lionheart fashion, he never whimpered. He met each day with quiet stoicism.
His suffering has ended, and now my season of grief begins. I take comfort in imagining his journey across the Rainbow Bridge: a sunny path lined with lush, vibrant grass and endless flowers. Croix always loved to stop and smell the flowers. Even on his very last day, he took the time to smell them.
Once I receive his remains, I plan to hold a small memorial service to celebrate his remarkable life and give him the farewell he deserves.
🌿 Continue the Conversation
Have you ever held a memorial service or ceremony for a beloved pet? How did you honor their memory? I’d love to read your stories in the comments below.
Until next time,
Keep reading. Keep writing. Stay rooted in truth.
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