10/29/2026
Seven years ago today, I saw a picture of a puppy who would soon come to be the first love of my life. Indy came home a few days later (Halloween was the busiest day of the year at my college job, so we had to wait a few days), and I’m missing her a lot this week. In the years we spent together, I often (sort of jokingly) said that when I ultimately lost her, my family would likely have to institutionalize me. The last three months have been nothing short of awful without her. I’ve started therapy for the first time in my life in an attempt to work through some of my immense grief. The most potent realization I’ve made since her death is that Indy and I were one and the same. Indy was a difficult girl. She was stubborn, she was obsessive, and she was LOUD in voicing her feelings. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times that I have been called “difficult” in my life. Or stubborn. Or too loud. Or abrasive. And being her mom gave me a chance to see that someone who is stubborn or loud or obsessive or difficult is no less worthy of love than someone who isn’t. Long story short, I’m still missing my girl so much every day. Sometimes so much I don’t know how to proceed. But also, I’m learning so much about myself, and I can’t help but think that it is yet another gift straight from Indy B 🐾💜🪽
