The Grace of Letting Go

Life has a way of pulling us into transitions we aren’t always ready for. I had to face two such moments back-to-back. Today, January 24th, marks the last day I had with my best friend, Luna. She had been battling congestive heart failure for some time. I was about to take her to the vet when she passed in my arms. I held her lifeless body and spoke to her with tears streaming down my face, thanking her for being the best girl ever. That moment is imprinted on my soul.

As I think back on Luna’s final rest, I can’t help but see the connection to my dad’s dog, Cosi, who also faced her own transition recently. While she didn’t pass, she was handed over to a new family. Both journeys were anything but straightforward. Luna’s decline brought endless vet visits and difficult decisions, while Cosi’s journey was complicated by online activity and public involvement. There was shame, confusion, and fear surrounding her situation, which stirred emotions in our family. Both stories ultimately led to peace in the release. That’s why I feel compelled to write this.

Cosi’s Journey

Cosi had lived with my dad for years, but as he got older, he struggled to care for her the way he once had. It was heartbreaking to watch, and I knew something had to change. Without telling my dad, I quietly sought help online, reaching out to people who might give her the life she deserved. Read the story here.

The process wasn’t without challenges. There was subtle tension between my dad and me as things unfolded, and the social media attention around Cosi turned into a storm. People shared opinions, asked questions, and even criticized. At one point, her story ended up on a news site. The attention brought discomfort and some shame, but it also created a path forward for Cosi.

Eventually, someone stepped up to foster her. The foster had been caring for Cosi for a little over two months, which gave her time to heal from neglect and my dad time to adjust to no longer having her at home. Yesterday, I took him to visit Cosi. We didn’t realize it would be the day.

The inevitable question arose: “Would you like to release Cosi to ____ as her new owner?”

Cosi was thriving in her foster home—healthy, clean, and deeply loved. Seeing her like that clicked something in my dad. He realized she was truly better off in her new environment. When asked if he would sign the papers to release her, he didn’t hesitate. He let her go with quiet understanding.

I stood by him, giving him the confidence to take that step. My eyes watered as I watched him say goodbye to his best friend. But there was something special about watching my dad release his pride and make such a tough decision that was necessary.

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Luna’s Journey

The very next day, it was my turn to release someone I loved deeply. Luna, my sweet girl of 12 years, had been my rock through so many seasons of life. She walked with me through university, giving me purpose when I felt lost. Her love carried me through dark places, and her little quirks and unwavering loyalty are forever imprinted on my heart.

Luna’s health had been declining for some time. Each vet visit brought new uncertainties and decisions, and while I knew this day would eventually come, nothing truly prepares you for the moment when it arrives.

After Luna’s heart gave out, my family’s quiet acts of love paved the way for the final release. Just as I had sought help for my dad’s dog behind his back, my parents had been helping me quietly in ways I didn’t realize. When Luna’s health started to decline, they prepared a small grave for her in the backyard without letting me know.

There is so much love in the quiet steps we take out of care, even when emotions run high. In this case, it was my dad who helped me "sign the papers", so to speak. When he finished sealing Luna’s grave with cement, it mirrored the act of signing the release papers for Cosi the day before. Both actions, though different, carried the same meaning: finality and the deep love found in letting go.

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The Pattern of Preparation

Both stories shared a common thread: preparation. For Cosi, it was the messy process of seeking help, navigating emotions, and facing public scrutiny. For Luna, it was sleepless nights, vet visits, and the heavy weight of knowing her time was near.

The preparation was uncomfortable, but it was necessary. It softened our hearts and opened our eyes to difficult truths. The middle—the part we often want to avoid—is where love shows up most honestly.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The preparation was just as much a part of the season as the final goodbye. It reminded me that God works in the mess, refining us even as we wrestle with uncertainty and grief.

Love in the Letting Go

Luna gave me 12 beautiful years of unconditional love. Cosi may not have shared the same story, but her release gave her the chance to experience love and care in ways she hadn’t before.

Love lingers in the memories, the lessons, and the quiet acts of care—like my parents preparing a place for Luna or strangers stepping in to help Cosi. These moments remind me that God’s grace is present in every season.

I'm currently broken. I deeply mourn the loss of my best friend since I was 20 years old, but I’m reminded of Job’s words: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).

I love you forever Luna. God knows I needed you. Thank you.

Reflection

1. Have you experienced love through quiet, unseen acts of care?
2. Is there something in your life that God is preparing you to release?
3. How does the in-between—uncertainty, preparation, and waiting—look for you right now?
4. How can you support someone else who may be walking through their own season of letting go?

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