Living and Loss

Even something like death is surrounded with choices.

This month we lost both of our dogs just two weeks apart. They had long and full lives but we only had days to come to terms with the first loss and anyone who has had a pet will understand how much sorrow there is in saying goodbye. So, this is partially a goodbye to our sweet dogs and a reflection on sustainable living and dying as humans and animals.

Remains

We had our dogs cremated at a temple here in Tokyo. Though cremation is not without its pollution, when there is so little land available, especially in a dense urban environment, cremation makes the most sense. In a couple of months we will let their ashes return to the earth. Here in Japan dealing with remains is separate from the veterinarian or hospital. Luckily my friend recommended Ekō-in (回向院) which has a rich history and they are so respectful to every living thing. As part of our own closure we burned incense and requested wood “sotoba” (卒塔婆) which will remain at the temple until these too are burned. For myself, anyone who is close to me knows that I would prefer human composting for my own remains when the time comes.

Possessions

The apartment feels empty without the dogs but it is important to us to ensure nothing goes to waste. I am checking with local dog rescues to pass on food, supplements, their kennels, etc. Luckily our dogs had few possessions and someone should be able to use what they no longer need. Again, reflecting on my own life and and losses, in a day and age with so much surplus, possessions can become a burden to those we leave behind. I will not pretend to be a minimalist. I love my art and beautiful functional items which make me happy. However, I avoid impulsive purchases and prioritize secondhand whenever possible. It is also important for me to avoid things that have limited use and add to the plastic waste.

Loss is part of life, and hopefully we all strive to leave more good in our wake than waste for the world to deal with.