Dear Bill,

Hearing from you this morning really meant a lot to me. Thank You so much for being there. I shared with you because I knew you cared.

I just couldn't leave Juliette by herself after she died. I'd closed her eyes, arranged her as she naturally slept, in the well loved basket I bought her during our first year.

Prior to sunset a vivid rainbow appeared on the rug, right next to Juliette's basket! Wow! A magical surprise :)

I arranged a few keepsakes, decorative items and lit candles. I kept Juliette near me on the floor so Scrappy & Iggi could see her too.

I petted Miss Juliette, sometimes held the basket on my lap to talk, cried, hugged Bob, & just looked at her with infinite love. I told her how much I miss her, lit more candles, cried some more and eventually said good bye.

Scrappy and I fell asleep next to Juliette for a couple hours.

When I awoke I knew what to do. It was time to go outside in the garden to dig a 3' deep hole. Something about sobbing with a shovel in hand is soothing. Bob stood by handing me clippers whenever I hit a tree root which needed clipping.

Miss Juliette was wrapped in her favorite blanket & bedding. Together Bob and I slipped her gently into a fresh burlap sack. I placed the tidy bundle with love in the hole, then sadly filled it back up.

A nearby stack of abalone shells revealed themselves to my muse- suggesting they be arranged around the grave - a lovely final touch! Thank You!

Once finished I wandered inside. I took a shower, went to bed, turned the cell to silent, and slept like a rock till 4 o'clock. I was really very tired.

Things felt so resolved when I woke up. A couple friends stopped by. Waves of sadness washed through - but overall I felt a profound sense of relief.

I love Juliette, but it was time for us to part. I am grateful for this closure. Seeing her decline was pure torture- now it is over.

Love,
Leslie (& Juliette)