I got my heart broken twice - once by a boy and now by a dog.
It was love at first sight when I stumbled upon his smiling photo on a Rescue.org. He wasn’t the red and white Pembroke Welsh corgi I dreamt of and wanted, but a tricolor one. His snout and face red. His body black with a distinct white “L” on his neck. His feet had white “socks”. He was perched atop the backrest of the sofa like the king of the living room or even a cat. In another photo, he was a rockstar, seated in the middle of disheveled sheets in front of a Fender. His bat ears perked and a glowing smile. He was on his fifth owner and he was being given away for free. It seemed that nobody else wanted him, but I did.
Almost eight years later, thousands of miles tracked on the American highways - from middle America to the east to west coast, to the borders to the north and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico down south, and gazillion adventures and misadventures made together, the end is approaching.
I thought of the tarot’s heartbreak card - the Three of Swords, one of the most recognizable cards of the Minor Arcana. A bright red heart at the center, floating in dreary, stormy weather, pierced not by one, but three swords. The pain of one is apparent, but three? Oof.
Each day I whisper into his ears “Obi, thank you. You are the goodest boi. I love you. It’s OK to let go if you are in pain. We will be OK.” I thought I was ready, knowing his age. His snout more white than red. His hind legs shot, wobbling as he struggles to get around the apartment. His front legs now sliding forward despite his efforts to keep them planted on solid ground. He should be turning 14 this December. He could. So the floodgates of my tear ducts are unable to hold the pressure, the release is unyielding.
Now, steroids and a resolute spirit are what help him keep fighting, despite what I know in my heart and see with my own eyes.
When the Three of Swords appear in a reading, a painful heartbreak is already underway or in the near future. There is really no way to prepare one’s self for these things, but simply expect the fall to be painful. Remember that following the pain of the truths of the Sword comes a retreat and rest with the Four of Swords, so all hope is not lost.
Please continue to send your well wishes and prayers our way, especially as our dear Obi Juan approaches his time to cross the rainbow bridge.