24 Comments
User's avatar
Fran Cronin's avatar

Nina: such a beautiful remmebreance. Dogs. How they insert themselves into us until they are a part of us. How glad I am that she was loved so well. RIP

jennifer judd-mcgee's avatar

😭😭 You’re such an amazing writer. And I’m so sorry.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks for reading 🐾 what lil heartbreakers they all are!

Beth Anderson's avatar

Nina, this is so beautiful. And I'm so sorry for your loss.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks, Beth 💕

Scratches for Bowie 🐈‍⬛

Milja's avatar

Oh Nina! Oh Twinkle!! I’m just hearing of this now as I don’t have any other social media. Sending you so much love. ♥️ That wild little monkey would make it hard to enter into your house and I know he had your entire heart.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

She was such a monster in the beginning!! We’ve been laughing about that, too!

Ron Beard's avatar

The writing sparks, like a shovel striking granite. Hard, hard granite. I am so sorry this story ends... triggering memories, echoes of the love between dogs and their humans.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

You had some dear shaggy friends too! I hardly know how to walk around town without one.

Ron Beard's avatar

I know... I remember them all. It leaves a hole in life like no other.

Aprile's avatar

How very sad. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your words brought your world, your back yard and front view, and your Twinkle to me here. Very alive. Thank you.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks for reading, April. 💕

Larry's avatar

I’m so sorry to read of Twinkles MIA.

I will keep my eyes peeled looking for her.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks, Larry. I love that you all still have your eyes peeled even when mine are closed.

Noelle's avatar

Crying for sweet Twinkle and the love you shared with her. What a poignant tribute 💗. I’m so sorry that she vanished without the chance to say goodbye. You write so eloquently about being whole-hearted: holding the beauty with the sorrow.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks, Noelle. I know you have a soft spot for the lil ones 💕

Shannon Swan's avatar

Thinking of all of you. Twinkle was loved by everyone who knew her. You gave her the world to explore, endless runs on the beach, and all the warm laps she could wish for. What a wonderful life with the best family in the world. xxoo 💛

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Belly rubs for Finn and Harley 🐾

Leah Scott-Kirby's avatar

I’ll always hold close the memories of Little Miss Twinkle curled in my lap, once during our drive through Acadia and once in your writing chair while I tried to finish my graduating presentation. She was the perfect companion for both adventure and comfort.

I love you, dearly ♥️ And so admire your ability to see beauty in the world even in moments of deep grief.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

This pics are among my favorite 💕

Sue boswell's avatar

To find something new in your back woods as you searched for your dog. Beauty, danger, life, poop, wind, silence, noise - sorry Twinkle wasn't amongst what you found.

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Thanks, Sue 🐾

Kristi Losquadro's avatar

This is beautiful Nina. As we lost Juno last July, I feel your grief and sadness every day still as I come home and am greeted with silence or when I drop something on the floor and automatically think “Juno will get it”. Sending you lots of love!

Nina Barufaldi's avatar

Walked by your house and thought of Juno this morning. Nice to be remembering other dogs too.