April 30, 2025
Annie
WEBVTT
00:00:14.836 --> 00:00:17.746
So Patty, tell me about your soul dog.
00:00:17.746 --> 00:00:18.556
What was her name?
00:00:19.457 --> 00:00:24.347
Her name is Annie Because she's still in my life, but different.
00:00:25.097 --> 00:00:26.477
Hmm, love that.
00:00:26.957 --> 00:00:29.836
And you said her nickname was Annie Banana.
00:00:30.617 --> 00:00:35.326
Yeah, she was goofy, so, you know, I could be goofy together with her.
00:00:36.182 --> 00:00:38.881
And how did you, how did Annie come into your life?
00:00:40.231 --> 00:00:40.862
Oh my goodness.
00:00:40.862 --> 00:00:43.322
Well, I had two goldfish for like 10 years.
00:00:43.322 --> 00:00:46.381
One was called Bugeye and the other one was swivel hips.
00:00:46.892 --> 00:00:48.031
And then they died.
00:00:48.031 --> 00:00:53.252
And, you know, I really, really wanted a dog, so I went, I just stopped.
00:00:53.341 --> 00:00:57.451
And the spur of the moment I saw her, I instantly fell in love with her.
00:00:57.991 --> 00:01:02.701
And um, yeah, it was the beginning of a real true love.
00:01:02.822 --> 00:01:02.851
Aw.
00:01:04.322 --> 00:01:04.561
Yeah.
00:01:04.561 --> 00:01:04.921
You know what?
00:01:04.921 --> 00:01:07.742
Sometimes those are the best moments in life, right?
00:01:07.742 --> 00:01:09.272
the ones that you don't overthink.
00:01:09.272 --> 00:01:22.861
You just know that this is the path you're supposed to go and'cause taking on a dog and bringing a dog into your life is a huge responsibility but it's also such a beautiful, beautiful adventure and relationship as well.
00:01:23.552 --> 00:01:24.871
Um, yeah.
00:01:26.102 --> 00:01:27.572
You mentioned that she's goofy.
00:01:27.611 --> 00:01:29.682
If there were three words, how would you describe her?
00:01:32.441 --> 00:01:38.621
Goofy, loving and authentic.
00:01:39.402 --> 00:01:40.992
Hmm, authentic.
00:01:41.682 --> 00:01:52.042
Would you say that's one of, um, the lessons that she taught you, or is there a particular lesson that stands out to you the, the value of authenticity is so powerful.
00:01:52.912 --> 00:01:59.542
Which of course, you know, you use in your day-to-day work all the time, um, as a grief counselor.
00:02:00.322 --> 00:02:02.361
But what else would you say that you learned from her?
00:02:04.072 --> 00:02:12.102
Well, you know, John Donahue has, he has this amazing book about the Celtic Wisdom, and it's called Anum Cara Ra.
00:02:12.611 --> 00:02:19.271
And what that means is Soul Friend and many of the people that I work with that have had a pet loss.
00:02:20.322 --> 00:02:25.032
They have a hard time describing that sense of being a soul friend.
00:02:25.032 --> 00:02:29.111
Somebody that you can just be who you are without any kind of hiding.
00:02:29.741 --> 00:02:30.012
Right?
00:02:30.312 --> 00:02:30.641
Right.
00:02:30.641 --> 00:02:38.711
And so Annie was that for me, she taught me what it's like to not be judgmental, to, you know, have no expectations.
00:02:38.771 --> 00:02:40.782
I mean, when she was hungry, that was about it.
00:02:41.262 --> 00:02:41.382
Right?
00:02:42.162 --> 00:02:43.572
When she had to go out to go potty.
00:02:43.572 --> 00:02:49.481
But yeah, you know, it was a beautiful thing to be able to just be loved for who I was.
00:02:50.051 --> 00:02:50.442
Right.
00:02:50.442 --> 00:02:50.951
Right.
00:02:51.622 --> 00:02:53.782
If you could describe your perfect day with her.
00:02:54.081 --> 00:02:55.372
What, what was that like?
00:02:56.662 --> 00:03:00.442
We used to walk in Quiet Waters Park for like 15 years.
00:03:00.951 --> 00:03:01.551
And Where's that?
00:03:02.231 --> 00:03:04.271
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland.
00:03:04.271 --> 00:03:04.301
Okay.
00:03:05.021 --> 00:03:05.562
That's where I am.
00:03:06.192 --> 00:03:20.681
Um, and actually the day before I had scheduled to have her euthanized lap of love came to euthanize her at home and I was able to actually record that with their permission because I didn't know really what to expect.
00:03:21.132 --> 00:03:30.372
And so the very last day that she was alive, I, I documented our day walking at Quiet Waters Park, and part of the time I had to carry her.
00:03:30.972 --> 00:03:35.882
But, yeah, it was a beautiful day and she would go frog hunting in the streams.
00:03:35.942 --> 00:03:36.542
Oh, how cute.
00:03:36.542 --> 00:03:42.271
And yeah, totally muddy, you know, but it was so much fun to watch her like chase the frogs, you know?
00:03:42.812 --> 00:03:43.741
Didn't ever get one.
00:03:43.741 --> 00:03:47.012
But yeah, it was a beautiful, beautiful time of my life.
00:03:47.972 --> 00:03:50.671
Would you, recommend in-home euthanasia?
00:03:51.002 --> 00:03:55.231
I've, I've heard a lot about lack of love and I've also have seen the, um.
00:03:55.741 --> 00:03:57.782
The growth of that, of that market.
00:03:57.961 --> 00:04:02.421
Where a lot of people are starting to have the veterinarians come to their homes?
00:04:03.542 --> 00:04:09.322
Well, I can only speak for me and some of my clients, but, for me, it, she was home.
00:04:10.042 --> 00:04:10.431
Mm-hmm.
00:04:10.671 --> 00:04:12.951
She was going home to another realm.
00:04:12.951 --> 00:04:13.042
Right.
00:04:13.521 --> 00:04:14.872
But she was home with me.
00:04:14.872 --> 00:04:20.632
And you know, one of the things I've heard quite often, especially from vets, is that, you know.
00:04:21.336 --> 00:04:29.557
The most that, that, that the animal wants is to have you there so that they see you as the last, last thing they see on earth.
00:04:30.096 --> 00:04:30.187
Mm-hmm.
00:04:30.427 --> 00:04:32.257
And I know how difficult it is, truly.
00:04:32.257 --> 00:04:32.526
I do.
00:04:32.526 --> 00:04:32.677
Yeah.
00:04:33.187 --> 00:04:39.427
Um, but I also know that sometimes, I mean, look at all we sacrifice for our fur babies, you know?
00:04:39.966 --> 00:04:41.016
Right, right.
00:04:41.797 --> 00:04:46.357
Um, is there, would you, is there a song that reminds you of her.
00:04:47.422 --> 00:04:50.872
Well, probably John Denver's Annie, uh, yes.
00:04:52.461 --> 00:04:53.362
That's a great song.
00:04:53.422 --> 00:04:53.961
Yes.
00:04:54.021 --> 00:04:54.442
Yes.
00:04:54.442 --> 00:04:55.762
That's a good, that's a good answer.
00:04:56.211 --> 00:04:59.422
What would you say was like her greatest, um, lesson to you?
00:05:00.531 --> 00:05:03.112
Ooh, the Greatest Lesson, well, let's see.
00:05:03.922 --> 00:05:07.822
Well, you know, they love us no matter what is going on.
00:05:08.091 --> 00:05:11.211
And I was in a very abusive marriage.
00:05:11.242 --> 00:05:11.331
Mm-hmm.
00:05:11.661 --> 00:05:23.512
And Annie actually saved my life because she taught me what it physically and emotionally and spiritually felt like to be loved, to be deeply loved.
00:05:23.841 --> 00:05:25.942
And that was my saving grace.
00:05:27.771 --> 00:05:28.372
Yes.
00:05:28.521 --> 00:05:29.062
Wow.
00:05:30.036 --> 00:05:46.536
That's such an incredibly incredible legacy to leave behind, is that sense of love and like pure unconditional love, which, um, really like your soul, your soul dogs, your soul animals can, can really provide for you.
00:05:47.107 --> 00:05:52.057
Is there anything else that you would want people to know about Annie or your relationship with Annie?
00:05:52.672 --> 00:05:53.512
Oh my goodness.
00:05:53.512 --> 00:05:58.221
Well, you know, Annie was my inspiration, so she launched me.
00:05:58.221 --> 00:06:08.781
I have a company, Tobias and Company, and we create silk pillows for, for children especially that are critically ill and grieving, and so we have.
00:06:09.216 --> 00:06:11.437
Amber's, uh, embrace the Angels.
00:06:11.437 --> 00:06:12.276
So Amber's Angels.
00:06:12.276 --> 00:06:14.197
And then we have Grace's Angels.
00:06:14.197 --> 00:06:19.206
A little 9-year-old girl collected 164 angel drawings from kids around the world.
00:06:19.357 --> 00:06:19.416
Wow.
00:06:19.567 --> 00:06:22.297
And now on Animal Angels.
00:06:22.627 --> 00:06:24.247
And that's Grace's project.
00:06:24.247 --> 00:06:27.156
So Grace is, she was nine when she got involved.
00:06:27.547 --> 00:06:27.786
Okay.
00:06:27.786 --> 00:06:38.137
Uh, with Grace, the Angel, and now she's 16, so she's been with us for some time and she is such an inspiration to so many other young people.
00:06:38.476 --> 00:06:45.826
About the power that young people have to elevate and inspire other people, other children around the world.
00:06:46.247 --> 00:06:47.086
That's beautiful.
00:06:47.237 --> 00:06:50.507
That's such a great legacy and such an inspiration for sure.
00:06:51.026 --> 00:06:57.497
Annie was in your life for 15 years and, something that I like to ask people is how do you still remember her today?
00:06:57.987 --> 00:07:04.706
Any advice that you have for someone who may be recently going through that loss of their pet and their, their soul dog.
00:07:05.576 --> 00:07:12.026
Well, you know, I, I believe the circle of life and death is the same for every life, including, you know.
00:07:12.536 --> 00:07:14.726
Ones that have roots and paws and feet.
00:07:14.726 --> 00:07:17.127
So life itself is a circle.
00:07:17.187 --> 00:07:24.317
And one of the things I did, and I'm so blessed that I was able to do this, I, so I pass out these little guardian angel coins.
00:07:24.317 --> 00:07:25.336
I'll show you briefly.
00:07:26.057 --> 00:07:30.466
So these are my pebbles that I pass out to people as I go through life.
00:07:30.466 --> 00:07:37.336
And on the back of the little guardian angel card, there's a little pewter guardian Angel Pebble.
00:07:38.177 --> 00:07:38.507
Oh wow.
00:07:38.507 --> 00:07:40.487
And it has one of five words.
00:07:40.547 --> 00:07:46.007
So there's peace, hope, love, courage, and faith, which is believing.
00:07:46.396 --> 00:07:59.297
So I asked Lap of Love, would it be okay after Annie passed, if I could take a card, peel off the back, see her word, and then put it in her mouth because she was gonna be cremated and they said, no problem.
00:07:59.716 --> 00:08:01.156
So, uh, Dr.
00:08:01.156 --> 00:08:04.247
Rachel took Annie after she died and two weeks later.
00:08:04.906 --> 00:08:08.867
I got, um, and Annie's word was love, which was so beautiful.
00:08:08.867 --> 00:08:08.956
Mm-hmm.
00:08:09.197 --> 00:08:13.336
Definitely two weeks later I got ashes and there was a big bag of her ashes.
00:08:13.336 --> 00:08:18.737
And then I looked inside and there was a little tiny bag with the, with a silver ball.
00:08:19.637 --> 00:08:21.617
And so it was the ball of love.
00:08:21.617 --> 00:08:23.927
And so I was able to make a necklace outta that.
00:08:24.197 --> 00:08:25.487
Oh my gosh.
00:08:25.997 --> 00:08:30.137
And so because of that beautiful closing of that circle mm-hmm.
00:08:30.377 --> 00:08:33.136
My grief was truly lessened.
00:08:35.162 --> 00:08:35.461
Yeah.
00:08:36.302 --> 00:08:36.812
Love that.
00:08:37.412 --> 00:08:37.951
Love that.
00:08:38.701 --> 00:08:41.522
That was perfect ending for the Circle of Life.
00:00:14.836 --> 00:00:17.746
So Patty, tell me about your soul dog.
00:00:17.746 --> 00:00:18.556
What was her name?
00:00:19.457 --> 00:00:24.347
Her name is Annie Because she's still in my life, but different.
00:00:25.097 --> 00:00:26.477
Hmm, love that.
00:00:26.957 --> 00:00:29.836
And you said her nickname was Annie Banana.
00:00:30.617 --> 00:00:35.326
Yeah, she was goofy, so, you know, I could be goofy together with her.
00:00:36.182 --> 00:00:38.881
And how did you, how did Annie come into your life?
00:00:40.231 --> 00:00:40.862
Oh my goodness.
00:00:40.862 --> 00:00:43.322
Well, I had two goldfish for like 10 years.
00:00:43.322 --> 00:00:46.381
One was called Bugeye and the other one was swivel hips.
00:00:46.892 --> 00:00:48.031
And then they died.
00:00:48.031 --> 00:00:53.252
And, you know, I really, really wanted a dog, so I went, I just stopped.
00:00:53.341 --> 00:00:57.451
And the spur of the moment I saw her, I instantly fell in love with her.
00:00:57.991 --> 00:01:02.701
And um, yeah, it was the beginning of a real true love.
00:01:02.822 --> 00:01:02.851
Aw.
00:01:04.322 --> 00:01:04.561
Yeah.
00:01:04.561 --> 00:01:04.921
You know what?
00:01:04.921 --> 00:01:07.742
Sometimes those are the best moments in life, right?
00:01:07.742 --> 00:01:09.272
the ones that you don't overthink.
00:01:09.272 --> 00:01:22.861
You just know that this is the path you're supposed to go and'cause taking on a dog and bringing a dog into your life is a huge responsibility but it's also such a beautiful, beautiful adventure and relationship as well.
00:01:23.552 --> 00:01:24.871
Um, yeah.
00:01:26.102 --> 00:01:27.572
You mentioned that she's goofy.
00:01:27.611 --> 00:01:29.682
If there were three words, how would you describe her?
00:01:32.441 --> 00:01:38.621
Goofy, loving and authentic.
00:01:39.402 --> 00:01:40.992
Hmm, authentic.
00:01:41.682 --> 00:01:52.042
Would you say that's one of, um, the lessons that she taught you, or is there a particular lesson that stands out to you the, the value of authenticity is so powerful.
00:01:52.912 --> 00:01:59.542
Which of course, you know, you use in your day-to-day work all the time, um, as a grief counselor.
00:02:00.322 --> 00:02:02.361
But what else would you say that you learned from her?
00:02:04.072 --> 00:02:12.102
Well, you know, John Donahue has, he has this amazing book about the Celtic Wisdom, and it's called Anum Cara Ra.
00:02:12.611 --> 00:02:19.271
And what that means is Soul Friend and many of the people that I work with that have had a pet loss.
00:02:20.322 --> 00:02:25.032
They have a hard time describing that sense of being a soul friend.
00:02:25.032 --> 00:02:29.111
Somebody that you can just be who you are without any kind of hiding.
00:02:29.741 --> 00:02:30.012
Right?
00:02:30.312 --> 00:02:30.641
Right.
00:02:30.641 --> 00:02:38.711
And so Annie was that for me, she taught me what it's like to not be judgmental, to, you know, have no expectations.
00:02:38.771 --> 00:02:40.782
I mean, when she was hungry, that was about it.
00:02:41.262 --> 00:02:41.382
Right?
00:02:42.162 --> 00:02:43.572
When she had to go out to go potty.
00:02:43.572 --> 00:02:49.481
But yeah, you know, it was a beautiful thing to be able to just be loved for who I was.
00:02:50.051 --> 00:02:50.442
Right.
00:02:50.442 --> 00:02:50.951
Right.
00:02:51.622 --> 00:02:53.782
If you could describe your perfect day with her.
00:02:54.081 --> 00:02:55.372
What, what was that like?
00:02:56.662 --> 00:03:00.442
We used to walk in Quiet Waters Park for like 15 years.
00:03:00.951 --> 00:03:01.551
And Where's that?
00:03:02.231 --> 00:03:04.271
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland.
00:03:04.271 --> 00:03:04.301
Okay.
00:03:05.021 --> 00:03:05.562
That's where I am.
00:03:06.192 --> 00:03:20.681
Um, and actually the day before I had scheduled to have her euthanized lap of love came to euthanize her at home and I was able to actually record that with their permission because I didn't know really what to expect.
00:03:21.132 --> 00:03:30.372
And so the very last day that she was alive, I, I documented our day walking at Quiet Waters Park, and part of the time I had to carry her.
00:03:30.972 --> 00:03:35.882
But, yeah, it was a beautiful day and she would go frog hunting in the streams.
00:03:35.942 --> 00:03:36.542
Oh, how cute.
00:03:36.542 --> 00:03:42.271
And yeah, totally muddy, you know, but it was so much fun to watch her like chase the frogs, you know?
00:03:42.812 --> 00:03:43.741
Didn't ever get one.
00:03:43.741 --> 00:03:47.012
But yeah, it was a beautiful, beautiful time of my life.
00:03:47.972 --> 00:03:50.671
Would you, recommend in-home euthanasia?
00:03:51.002 --> 00:03:55.231
I've, I've heard a lot about lack of love and I've also have seen the, um.
00:03:55.741 --> 00:03:57.782
The growth of that, of that market.
00:03:57.961 --> 00:04:02.421
Where a lot of people are starting to have the veterinarians come to their homes?
00:04:03.542 --> 00:04:09.322
Well, I can only speak for me and some of my clients, but, for me, it, she was home.
00:04:10.042 --> 00:04:10.431
Mm-hmm.
00:04:10.671 --> 00:04:12.951
She was going home to another realm.
00:04:12.951 --> 00:04:13.042
Right.
00:04:13.521 --> 00:04:14.872
But she was home with me.
00:04:14.872 --> 00:04:20.632
And you know, one of the things I've heard quite often, especially from vets, is that, you know.
00:04:21.336 --> 00:04:29.557
The most that, that, that the animal wants is to have you there so that they see you as the last, last thing they see on earth.
00:04:30.096 --> 00:04:30.187
Mm-hmm.
00:04:30.427 --> 00:04:32.257
And I know how difficult it is, truly.
00:04:32.257 --> 00:04:32.526
I do.
00:04:32.526 --> 00:04:32.677
Yeah.
00:04:33.187 --> 00:04:39.427
Um, but I also know that sometimes, I mean, look at all we sacrifice for our fur babies, you know?
00:04:39.966 --> 00:04:41.016
Right, right.
00:04:41.797 --> 00:04:46.357
Um, is there, would you, is there a song that reminds you of her.
00:04:47.422 --> 00:04:50.872
Well, probably John Denver's Annie, uh, yes.
00:04:52.461 --> 00:04:53.362
That's a great song.
00:04:53.422 --> 00:04:53.961
Yes.
00:04:54.021 --> 00:04:54.442
Yes.
00:04:54.442 --> 00:04:55.762
That's a good, that's a good answer.
00:04:56.211 --> 00:04:59.422
What would you say was like her greatest, um, lesson to you?
00:05:00.531 --> 00:05:03.112
Ooh, the Greatest Lesson, well, let's see.
00:05:03.922 --> 00:05:07.822
Well, you know, they love us no matter what is going on.
00:05:08.091 --> 00:05:11.211
And I was in a very abusive marriage.
00:05:11.242 --> 00:05:11.331
Mm-hmm.
00:05:11.661 --> 00:05:23.512
And Annie actually saved my life because she taught me what it physically and emotionally and spiritually felt like to be loved, to be deeply loved.
00:05:23.841 --> 00:05:25.942
And that was my saving grace.
00:05:27.771 --> 00:05:28.372
Yes.
00:05:28.521 --> 00:05:29.062
Wow.
00:05:30.036 --> 00:05:46.536
That's such an incredibly incredible legacy to leave behind, is that sense of love and like pure unconditional love, which, um, really like your soul, your soul dogs, your soul animals can, can really provide for you.
00:05:47.107 --> 00:05:52.057
Is there anything else that you would want people to know about Annie or your relationship with Annie?
00:05:52.672 --> 00:05:53.512
Oh my goodness.
00:05:53.512 --> 00:05:58.221
Well, you know, Annie was my inspiration, so she launched me.
00:05:58.221 --> 00:06:08.781
I have a company, Tobias and Company, and we create silk pillows for, for children especially that are critically ill and grieving, and so we have.
00:06:09.216 --> 00:06:11.437
Amber's, uh, embrace the Angels.
00:06:11.437 --> 00:06:12.276
So Amber's Angels.
00:06:12.276 --> 00:06:14.197
And then we have Grace's Angels.
00:06:14.197 --> 00:06:19.206
A little 9-year-old girl collected 164 angel drawings from kids around the world.
00:06:19.357 --> 00:06:19.416
Wow.
00:06:19.567 --> 00:06:22.297
And now on Animal Angels.
00:06:22.627 --> 00:06:24.247
And that's Grace's project.
00:06:24.247 --> 00:06:27.156
So Grace is, she was nine when she got involved.
00:06:27.547 --> 00:06:27.786
Okay.
00:06:27.786 --> 00:06:38.137
Uh, with Grace, the Angel, and now she's 16, so she's been with us for some time and she is such an inspiration to so many other young people.
00:06:38.476 --> 00:06:45.826
About the power that young people have to elevate and inspire other people, other children around the world.
00:06:46.247 --> 00:06:47.086
That's beautiful.
00:06:47.237 --> 00:06:50.507
That's such a great legacy and such an inspiration for sure.
00:06:51.026 --> 00:06:57.497
Annie was in your life for 15 years and, something that I like to ask people is how do you still remember her today?
00:06:57.987 --> 00:07:04.706
Any advice that you have for someone who may be recently going through that loss of their pet and their, their soul dog.
00:07:05.576 --> 00:07:12.026
Well, you know, I, I believe the circle of life and death is the same for every life, including, you know.
00:07:12.536 --> 00:07:14.726
Ones that have roots and paws and feet.
00:07:14.726 --> 00:07:17.127
So life itself is a circle.
00:07:17.187 --> 00:07:24.317
And one of the things I did, and I'm so blessed that I was able to do this, I, so I pass out these little guardian angel coins.
00:07:24.317 --> 00:07:25.336
I'll show you briefly.
00:07:26.057 --> 00:07:30.466
So these are my pebbles that I pass out to people as I go through life.
00:07:30.466 --> 00:07:37.336
And on the back of the little guardian angel card, there's a little pewter guardian Angel Pebble.
00:07:38.177 --> 00:07:38.507
Oh wow.
00:07:38.507 --> 00:07:40.487
And it has one of five words.
00:07:40.547 --> 00:07:46.007
So there's peace, hope, love, courage, and faith, which is believing.
00:07:46.396 --> 00:07:59.297
So I asked Lap of Love, would it be okay after Annie passed, if I could take a card, peel off the back, see her word, and then put it in her mouth because she was gonna be cremated and they said, no problem.
00:07:59.716 --> 00:08:01.156
So, uh, Dr.
00:08:01.156 --> 00:08:04.247
Rachel took Annie after she died and two weeks later.
00:08:04.906 --> 00:08:08.867
I got, um, and Annie's word was love, which was so beautiful.
00:08:08.867 --> 00:08:08.956
Mm-hmm.
00:08:09.197 --> 00:08:13.336
Definitely two weeks later I got ashes and there was a big bag of her ashes.
00:08:13.336 --> 00:08:18.737
And then I looked inside and there was a little tiny bag with the, with a silver ball.
00:08:19.637 --> 00:08:21.617
And so it was the ball of love.
00:08:21.617 --> 00:08:23.927
And so I was able to make a necklace outta that.
00:08:24.197 --> 00:08:25.487
Oh my gosh.
00:08:25.997 --> 00:08:30.137
And so because of that beautiful closing of that circle mm-hmm.
00:08:30.377 --> 00:08:33.136
My grief was truly lessened.
00:08:35.162 --> 00:08:35.461
Yeah.
00:08:36.302 --> 00:08:36.812
Love that.
00:08:37.412 --> 00:08:37.951
Love that.
00:08:38.701 --> 00:08:41.522
That was perfect ending for the Circle of Life.
