IN MEMORY OF JAVIER VON ADELSHAUSEN SABRE FERGUSON
10/17/14-7/5/23
It has been a year since Sabre, the well beloved and heroic K9 therapy dog of LightSource Counseling passed away. In the past year I have prayerfully done my own work to process the trauma and grief of this profound loss. As I have done this work, I have remembered the best parts of how trauma heals and grief leaves our body to be transformed into fond memory, or wisdom, courage, or insight: the most treasured parts of our lives spent with the friend or family member we have lost.
As therapists when we help people heal, we ask: What would your loved one say to you if they were here now, today?
What would Sabre say?
Sabre loved primally. He communicated it primally…….by somehow intertwining his own heart with his handlers and family at home, and sharing my mission to heal, carrying it out with me daily doing the actions of a well trained therapy dog. He was transformative at work, and at home with his family.
When he sensed danger or unexpected interruption in the flow for those in his mission of protection, he used his unmistakable booming German Shepherd bark that could vibrate throughout a building or echo down the riverbed deterring and warning……preventative protection.
When we were sad, he leaned in……..when we were heartbroken, he let us release our tears and absorbed them into his deep black coat…….when we were at the end of strength, he invited us to take him into our embrace and imparted to us the power of his great, massive chest and neck, so we could remember that we also can triumph through our own God-given strength. When we were lonely, he would wait with us for endless hours so that our heart would not be the only one beating in the dark.
When we were too much into our own mind, he would bring a toy, drop it in front of us, and wait. When we finally took his advice, the play transformed us into lighter beings every single time, and the day was won once again.
In public he was impressive and disciplined, a pleasure to experience for his handlers.
At home, he was an endless font of playful energy throughout all seasons of his years……. leaping high into air, or sliding on ice, or diving into his lake in order never to miss retrieving a single throw in his perpetual games of fetch. He engaged these games many times daily for all but 36 hours of his wonderful life.
What would Sabre say to me today as I heal from his departure?
The same primal messages as he conveyed to his family and the clients I had him help:
-I get it
-I’m here
-Don’t be afraid
-You are not alone
-We are OK
-Let’s play and have a snack
-Let me show you what I mean
When I think about it, it makes sense to me why his presence has been transformative. Sabre always echoed the words of Jesus.
I am honored to carry forward the things Sabre taught us: hope, gratitude, love, loyalty, courage, perseverance, and transformation. We are grateful to God for having provided us all with his life for these nearly 9 years. He has completed his mission to see his loved ones and the LightSource community through to the next level. Well done, our K9 boy and my LightSabre.
With Love,
Your Jedi pack
“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.” -Konrad Lorenz
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