When I write “our” dog, I realize how many roles and how many relationships Phelps had…
Joe on a frequent basis, with love and humor, would say to Helen “that’s your dog”. The joke about this is Joe was the one who took incredible care of Phelps, Joe was the one who fed, walked and bathed Phelps on the most regular basis. Joe and Phelps also had a very special relationship in the kitchen, which is where Joe misses Phelps, his buddy and companion, the most.
Although Joe was the primary care provider, Phelps took on the role of “support” with Helen in a very conscientious, consistent, curious, caring and cool way. From an early age, when we had classes at “the castle”, Phelps would recognize, in the Nia classes, when it was time to shift into cycle 6 Floorplay. As we cooled down Phelps would come to the entrance of the home studio, lay down and rest his head on the studio floor, while his body relaxed on the cool entrance tiles. Participants would find this familiar and very unique “Phelps feature” of the class experience to be touching and very healing.
When we shifted to Soma Ranch, built another wood floor, Phelps observed and stood by, as we were laying the final layer of varnish on the sprung wood floor, then, with one hand gesture and one clear '“No!” Phelps knew the new boundary and for over a decade never took another step on to the floor.
Instead Phelps took on the role of greeter very seriously. He would wait and greet each person coming in for class and, during the Nia Trainings, he would escort guests from studio to dining room and back, clearly indicating “this is the door you go into”.
I (Helen) would giggle as I sensed, if Phelps could talk English, he would say
“Thank you for buying me Soma Ranch, I love it out here, with all the open space, green pastures, even the golf carts, donkeys and horses that I get to herd.
I especially appreciate how you bring me guests, 1 to 2 times a month, on a regular basis, to herd and escort from studio to house and back. I love how I can share my gifts and talents, and be who I was designed to be. I appreciate how I get to shine as I help, support, greet, comfort and entertain visitors.
All in all I adore being a fabulous presence for all who visit Soma.”
Through lock-down, Helen getting covid and shifting all Nia classes and trainings ONLINE, Phelps elevated his role of “animal support/companion” to olympic proportions. When allowed, he would never let Helen out of his sight. Phelps became a regular attender to such a degree that, when he wasn’t there, participants would express concern and share how they missed him. More and more class cues would include Phelps, like “dance over your dog”, “cha cha cha around your dog” and often “Mind the dog!” - especially when Phelps would PLONK himself right in the middle of Helen’s zoom room space.
In these last years Phelps began to insist on joining Helen in the Soma Ranch Studio, a lovely transition in his senior years of adapting, changing the rules and accommodating this precious being called “Mr. Phelps” and allowing some very fond memories.
Phelps died a few weeks ago. This shift has been so painful for the Terry Family we simply needed some time in private to begin to accept this departure of a very special family member. I (Helen) have brought procrastination to my relationship with going public and writing this blog. Part of this is avoidance, not wanting to accept, let go and another part is not knowing what to say and how to share this sad news with you.
We went online and search “how to tell people your dog died”, curiously all the helpful posts we found referred to how to communicate with someone who has “lost” their dog and not how best inform y’all.
We recognize and acknowledge many people in the Soma Ranch community have very special relationships with Phelps, thank you in advance for forgiving us for not letting you know immediately, we hope now is the best time for you to learn this news and to have the opportunity to share.
Rather than consider we have “Lost” our dog, (that happened enough times while Phelps was alive!), we choose to celebrate Phelps, how he had a grand life, touched the lives of many, played a very special role in the Terry Family and our extended Soma family. We choose to remember the good times, the funny times and many fond memories that only came to be from Phelps being in our lives. He was a very special dog who made an incredible difference in many people’s lives.
We’d love to hear from you, to hear memories and moments you have with Phelps, your experiences and stories around this little 4 legged friend.
Phelps RIP, you are remembered fondly, appreciated deeply and the world was a better place for how you were in our lives for many years. You live on in our memories, our hearts and stories.
Rest in peace and GOOD BOY!
“Crossing the rainbow bridge means that your pet has passed away. When you eventually die, your pet will cross the rainbow bridge to Heaven with you.”
The term “crossing the rainbow bridge” comes from a poem — or more accurately, from multiple variations of a poem about losing a pet and reuniting with them in the afterlife. Three different people have taken credit for writing the original poem that inspired the rainbow bridge frame of mind among pet owners. The term and the variations of the poem started becoming popular among pet owners in the 1980s, but there is no definitive answer as to when and where the idea actually originated.
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of all its beautiful colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young again.
Those who were sick, hurt or in pain are made whole again.
There is only one thing missing,
they are not with their special person who loved them so much on earth.
So each day they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and looks up!
The nose twitches! The ears are up!
The eyes are staring and this one runs from the group!
You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him in your arms and hug him.
He licks and kisses your face again and again—
and you look once more into the eyes of your best friend and trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together never again to be apart.