Caravan's Lai'f Morafiq

March 18, 1993 - December 26, 1998

"Parting is all we know of heaven
And all we need of hell."
-Emily Dickinson

This page is a tribute to an individual who meant the world to me - and still does. In 1993 my parents kindly agreed to buy me a dog as a gift for my 18th birthday. With the help of my friend Susannah Thyni I acquired a golden Saluki dog named Caravan's La'if Morafiq, or Morafic for short. I had decided upon this name as it is Arabic for 'friend' or 'companion', which I felt was an appropriate name for this little life that had been given into my care.I picked him up on a beautiful spring day - May 10th 1993. He was the cutest little thing you could ever have seen.

Morafic grew up to be a wonderful and colorful personality - a dog in a million. He loved children and would play for ages if given the chance, and he would have given his life to protect me. I always felt safe when he was with me. I could go on and on about his habits, his silliness, his 'king-of-the-world' attitude, the games we played... but I will sum it all up by saying that to me he was everything - I loved him beyond words and would have given my life for his, just as he would have given his for mine. A story too long to tell, but in a way he did save my life just by being there, by giving me a reason to go home during a difficult period in my life. I am not so sure I would have been here today, had it not been for him.

Unfortunately his life ended much too shortly, and there was nothing I could do. Throughout his lifetime he had quite a few health problems, and in the fall of 1998 it started to go downhill rapidly. He came down with a severe case of diarrhea in September, and never really got back to full health. One weekend in November I left him with my then best friend as I went to visit friends to England, and shortly after I had left he turned acutely ill and almost died. A visit to the vet revealed that he suffered from pancreas insuffiency, and he was put on medication. Alas, this did not help long - on December 26th I had to make the decision to finally put him to rest. He went to his eternal sleep in my lap at only 5 1/2 years of age, and the months that followed his passing were so horribly and devastatingly painful that no words can ever describe them. Had I not had the support and love of my friends and family I would have succumbed to grief. A major part of my life had been taken from me, and there was a void in me that drained my soul of all light for a long time to follow.

I learned many things during the oh so painfully short time with this amazing friend. I learned a lot about compassion, unselfishness, unconditional and fierce love. I learned that death can be silently beautiful - that I need not be afraid. I am grateful that I could give Morafic the ultimate gift in return for his love and protection - a swift and painless death that put an end to his suffering.

I scattered his ashes on May 8th 1999 in a nearby forest, where the wood-anemones grow thick and lucious. It is peaceful and serene place, and I feel in my heart that he is content with the spot - it is almost as if he gave me his 'approval' when I was looking for the best place a few days earlier.

I am confident that we will meet once again in another time and place, but until then I will miss and love him every day for the remainder of my life. Here's to you Morafic - thank you for making my life wonderful, bright and beautiful in the few years we had together. You are always in my heart. Death shall have no dominion.