Shedding is not the End

[Border Collie – III]

Our dog has a medium length, black and white coat, with “feathers” behind her legs and ears. She's currently in shedding season. We remove handfuls of fur when we brush her. I suspect every couple years she has an entirely new coat. Literally, the beautiful coat she has right now will not be the same beautiful coat she has in 2022. Not one hair will remain.

My daughter collected a bag of her smooth, black fur. It’s a commemoration, I think, of last winter’s coat. Her best friend doesn’t look the same, and the bag is small way of grieving. Come November or December, I’m sure she will lose interest, because the dog’s coat will be thick again. And the two of them will be back to cuddling.

Waiting for that opportunity, idea, or chance to return is futile. Sure, put it in a small bag and commemorate it. It’s part of the grieving process. But new opportunities will grow, new ideas will generate, and new chances are forming at this very moment.

Shedding is not the end. Or a failure. Or bad luck. It’s a necessary removal, so what’s new can emerge.

Anticipate the new. Expect it. Prepare for it.