For months, we watched our beloved Fibi struggle with her breathing. Her diagnosis of collapsing trachea, caused by an enlarged heart, was heartbreaking. Each cough affected her airway, and soon we had her on medication to help ease her pain and shrink her heart. It wasn’t easy—6 pills a day, twice daily, became our new normal. Fibi, with her determined spirit, would wag her tail even when I showed her the pills. I had to become her nurse, carefully placing them in the back of her throat.
Fibi was a patient and loving companion, and despite her condition, the medication extended her life by about eight months. I am so grateful for that time. She was more than just a pet—she was my fur-baby, my constant companion. Losing her has been incredibly hard, and as I sit here writing, tears are streaming down my face. It’s been ten days since we said our final goodbye to Fibi, and while the grief is still fresh, the love and support from friends and family have been a great comfort.
During this journey, essential oils have played a huge part in helping me cope with grief. The moment we got the hard diagnosis, I turned to the **Acceptance** blend, using it on a diffuser stone at my desk. Its comforting aroma—made up of coriander, geranium, bergamot, and so many other wonderful oils—helped me accept the reality of Fibi’s illness. Each time I applied it, I was reminded to focus on giving Fibi the extra care and love she needed. I continued using **Joy** over my heart every day, as I have for years. When the emotional pain felt overwhelming, I turned to **Deep Spectra Frankincense Squared**, which I took under my tongue. **CBD Cinnamon and Mint tinctures** also became my go-to for calming my emotions. And the Tranquil roll-on became my best friend when my sleep was interrupted (and it helped calm her too.)
On particularly sad days, I added **Mineral Essence** to my daily **NingXia Red**. Diffusing **Northern Lights Black Spruce** brought comfort not only to me but to Fibi and our other dog, Charlie. To support my immune system, which was taxed by grief, I diffused or wore **Thieves** oil. And on days when I just needed a lift, I used **Orange** oil for its uplifting scent or soaked in a bath with **Release** to help me process the sadness.
For so long, I stayed home with Fibi because I couldn’t bear to leave her. She would cough and become anxious when I wasn’t around, so we spent countless nights in the living room together—her on her plush blanket, me on the couch. I sacrificed trips and missed out on important opportunities, but I don’t regret any of it. We had precious moments together, and despite her illness, there were days when she seemed perfectly healthy, running and playing in the yard, her sharp nose detecting all kinds of invisible visitors.
In the end, Fibi let us know when it was time. It was an incredibly hard moment, but I’m thankful she communicated that to us, and we were able to give her a peaceful goodbye. Now, we have beautiful mementos of her—pictures, a framed card with her paw and nose prints, and a small bottle of her fur. These tokens remind me of how much joy she brought into my life over the 14 years and 7 months we spent together.
The grief will continue for a while—after all, the love was deep and long-lasting—but I’m thankful for Charlie, who is thriving as the only dog in the house. Greg even built him a ramp from the patio to the yard, making things easier on his joints as he grows older.
Life is different now, but it’s good. While I don’t think we’ll get another dog, especially since I’d like to travel more, I’ll always cherish the bond I had with Fibi. Everyone deserves to experience the love of a pet like that at least once in their lifetime.
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