Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2019

177 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com pets how much we loved him. Our grief of losing Willow just months from his eighth birthday was immense, but we wanted to channel our grief into celebrating his memory, and we did so by thanking the people who were there for us during the last months of his life. We wrote thank-you notes to all of the vets and oncologists, friends, family and neighbors who supported us. We delivered pizzas to Veterinary Specialty Care as a thank-you to everyone there, and we wore “Willow the Warrior” T-shirts we made with Willow’s paw prints on them. Soon after Willow passed, Jeanne Taylor stopped by our house to personally deliver the amazing album and photos we ordered from her photo shoot with us. Jeanne told us to be open to looking for signs — that Willow’s spirit would visit us, and we would notice it through signs. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I kept an open mind about it. Two days after Willow’s passing, Bradley and I drove to a local plant nursery and picked out a tree to plant in our backyard in honor of Willow’s memory. While we were looking at the trees and trying to decide which one to choose, a single butterfly appeared and began flying around a holly tree. We then knew that was the tree to get — it was Willow’s tree. That following weekend we were on a boat ride with friends in the middle of the harbor. Two butterflies appeared out of nowhere and fluttered all around us. We began to see butterflies everywhere, and we still see them often — especially in moments when we may be feeling sad. I know it’s the signs Jeanne talked about, and Willow is letting us know that his spirit will always be with us. YOUR HEART IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK. We have been involved as fosters and volunteers with Lowcountry Lab Rescue, a local dog rescue that is near and dear to our hearts. Willow was a foster brother to 10 dogs rescued from local high-kill shelters. He was patient with these dogs, shared his toys and shared his humans Photo courtesy of Christy and Bradley Punch. Summerville Location Opening in September! 319 E. 3rd North Street Charleston’s ONLY locally owned, 24hr ER & specialty vet hospital, providing the most compassionate and specialized care, in multiple locations, for over 20 years. Board Certified Criticalist and Specialists in: Internal Medicine - Surgery Cardiology - Neurology Oncology - Dentistry 24 Hour ER At All Locations Mount Pleasant North Charleston 843-216-7554