Today’s post is dedicated to Diesel boy.

I’m Laura, founder of PunkerDoodle®. And while PunkerDoodle® is a brand of confidence, courage, kindness, positivity and I Can Attitude™ – it is also a lifestyle, and grieving is part of life, so I thought I would share a bit here.

My Diesel boy was more than a dog; he was a best friend, a forever soul mate, loved as much as my human boys. He passed Nov. 24th, and even though he had a rough 19 months prior, nothing can prep you for the heartbreaking day.

So here I am, being open with grief, with quietness, as grief is a personal experience to each of us. The crying begins at unexpected moments, like now as I write, as the loss within my heart is so raw still.

But if you too are grieving, if your heart aches, please know that it is part of our human experience and it is ok. It is ok to cry when you need to, laugh at silly things, and this is a big one: talk to your loved one out loud, in your head – it is perfectly fine and part of grieving.

The firsts—so hard, so painful. And if you had not loved so deeply, you would not hurt so bad right now. I am telling myself this exact same thing as I type this for you in this post.

It hurts. I feel the loss, the mental memories for all the things I had been doing for him throughout each day and night—the schedule, the medicine, the play, the love, and the list goes on and on.

I just want you to know you are not alone and your loved one in spirit knows your love and holds strength and space for you as you process the moments and days ahead.

You can cry and still own your I Can Attitude™—honoring your grief is honoring the absolute love you shared. Both are true at once.

Sending you love, Laura Lynn Doyle