Hey guys, this is a hard one to share and not my usual Humans of Judaism content, but I felt it was important to explain where I have been the past week and why I will be taking some time for myself.
This past Friday, I had to say goodbye to my best friend, my almost 14-year-old Maltese named Lola. Lola came into my life on November 30, 2012. Exactly one year later, she sat on my lap as I sat shiva for my dad. She never left my side and was a beloved member of my family.
A few months after my father passed away, deep into my grief, I started this page in his memory. Since then, Lola has been with me for every post, every milestone of HOJ, every page of the book, and every ounce of heartache and tears on and after October 7.
I once heard a beautiful Jewish teaching about the naming of animals. The Hebrew word for dog is kelev, which can be read as k’lev, “like a heart” (k’ meaning “like” and lev meaning “heart”). Another interpretation is kulo lev, “entirely heart.” The idea is that the name of an animal can reflect something about its very essence. It always felt especially fitting to me because Lola was, quite literally, all heart. She was my heart, and now it is broken.
I brought her home for the first time on a Friday afternoon, and we spent our first Shabbos together. Last week, I took her to the vet to say goodbye on a Friday afternoon and spent my first Shabbos without her.
This is a photo of my father with Lola which I have framed and keep next to my Shabbos candles. She was my favorite dog, and I was her favorite human. Rest easy, my sweet pup.
I will be back soon.
– Nikki
