(A Gentle Note: This post shares our journey with pet illness and loss. It speaks of love, resilience, and grief. If this topic feels too heavy for you today, please feel free to skip this read. Your heart matters.)

Life often brings unexpected turns.

Sometimes the most profound lessons arrive on four paws, wagging a tail. For us, one of our greatest teachers was Max, our beloved beagle with a boundless spirit and a truly wonderful sense of humor that could make us laugh even on cloudy days.

In November 2021, our world tilted when Max, then 13 years young, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The initial vet visit left us reeling, suggesting only pain management and saying it was time to let him go. But looking at Max, who, despite slowing down, still had that spark in his eyes and joy in his heart, we felt strongly that his chapter wasn't finished yet. It just didn't feel like his time.

Trusting our intuition

We sought a second opinion. This led us down a new path involving chemotherapy, acupuncture, and natural herbal treatments. Our goal wasn't to fight the inevitable forever, but to give Max the best quality of life for as long as possible. And Max, already a seasoned pro from attending all our Yoga Nidra trainings (yes, really!), seemed to understand the assignment. He’d deeply relax during his acupuncture sessions, truly tuning in and finding calm amidst the pokes and prods.

This combined approach gifted us ten more precious months with our boy. Ten months filled with learning, challenges, and an immense amount of love.

Taking care of Max during this time changed us. It stretched us financially, leading us to use savings we’d set aside, but it felt like the only choice. Max was family. For my husband, Tanner, Max held an even deeper significance. Max was his companion, shared with his previous late wife, a living, breathing connection to a cherished past. Navigating Max's illness brought up complex emotions for Tanner, and supporting him through it became part of our journey together.

Life threw us curveballs

Thanks to COVID and the timing around the holidays, Max's treatment appointments were delayed until February 2022. We consciously chose to use that waiting period to soak up every moment, focusing on being fully present with Max and our other two furry companions during what we knew would likely be our last holiday season as a quintet. It was also during this time that Tanner and I decided we wanted to celebrate our own love and commitment surrounded by family, with Max by our side. We got married that February, cherishing his presence on our special day.

The chemotherapy journey wasn't easy. It visibly tired Max out, leaving him sleepy for much of the day, and required long hours at the clinic for monitoring. In June, he suffered a stroke post-chemo, a terrifying moment. Yet, incredibly, he recovered and kept going. Through it all, his spirit shone brightly. That tail kept wagging, he still begged for treats, and he clung fiercely to his beloved daily routines. It was as if he were telling us that no illness could steal his joy for living. His resilience was truly awe-inspiring.

Being a Caregiver

As his caregiver, I learned so much. I thought I understood compassion, but Max taught me there were deeper levels yet to reach. He showed me how to advocate, how to stay present in difficulty, and how to love unconditionally. And through it all, as I've shared before, Yoga Nidra became our anchor. This practice of deep rest wasn't just for Max's acupuncture; it was fundamental for Tanner and me. In those moments of quiet, guided rest, we found the space to recharge our own batteries, process the emotional weight, and renew our energy so we could continue providing the care Max needed. It helped us rest, truly rest, so we could show up with more patience, presence, and love.

Max stayed with us through our birthdays and our wedding celebration. He chose Labor Day 2022 to finally rest. It always felt poignant that date like he was signaling that our shared labor of love was complete. He truly went out with a bang, making even his departure memorable.

A Year of Firsts

The morning after he passed was surreal. For the first time in ages, the house was quiet, peaceful. All four of us (Tanner, Jack, Smokey, and I) slept in, undisturbed by the usual nighttime needs Max had. It felt like Max himself was guarding our sleep one last time. I remember waking to sunlight, but the light felt different, softer, almost grey. The tears came then, the raw ache of his absence.

"The first morning without him," Tanner said quietly, his voice thick with emotion but also wisdom born from previous loss. "The first of everything hurts the most. We have one year of firsts."

Those words, spoken from a place of knowing grief, offered an unexpected flicker of hope. A year of firsts. It wasn't about counting down the days until the pain stopped, but about navigating the path forward with Max. It gave us a framework: we would carry Max in our hearts and consciously honor him each time we experienced something for the first time without his physical presence.

Losing Max reshaped our world, but his legacy is one of love, laughter, resilience, and the profound healing power of rest. He taught us about living fully, loving deeply, and finding strength even when things feel impossibly hard. And for that, we are eternally grateful.

Thank you for reading.

I hope to see you on the virtual mat. Check out my online offerings here!

Love Gaby Luna!

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Love, Paws, and Yogic Naps: Our Unexpected Family Story

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Beyond the Mat: How Yoga Became My Anchor (And How It Can Be Yours, Too!)