My husband’s aunt passed away today.

It was expected. Earlier this month, we were told the doctors gave her five days.

We found out on that fifth day; she lived another eight or so. They had taken her off all her medication. After four open-heart surgeries, there wasn’t anything else they could do for her.

I don’t know much about her last two weeks yet, but we know as they were moving her to hospice care, they said she seemed at peace.

She looked well when we visited her in the hospital over Christmas; I’m glad we got the chance to see her. We’re now headed up to Rochester, NY for a few days for services and the funeral.

I feel fortunate that I haven’t had to say goodbye to too many close family members. My paternal grandparents passed away when I was eight years old. My father’s sister when I was just out of college. My father’s brother a few years ago.

There are, in fact, more pets buried behind the garage of the house I grew up in than funerals I have attended.

Today’s list will be of the pets I’ve said goodbye to. Somehow, it seems a little less morbid.

1. Princess
   Our dog growing up, a doberman mix. We got her when I was two. She lived 16 years.
2. Henry
   My hamster in 2nd grade. I think he lived a couple years.
3. Patches
   Hamster #2.
4. Peppy
   Hamster #3
5. Perky
   Hamster #4, the only girl hamster.
6. Muffy
   Guinea pig. Only lived about a year.
7. Tweety
   Parakeet. He lived over 10 years, it actually may have been 12. We didn’t expect that! My mom had to take care of him when I went away to college.
8. Several goldfish. At least one’s name was, creatively, Goldie