Bios Urns for pets and the inspirational story of search-and-rescue dog Joy

Losing a pet can be like losing a family member. During such a heart-breaking time, many people seek out options open to them to keep their beloved pet close to home. This is how many discover the Bios Urns for pets.

Our pets show us unconditional love. And although we don’t speak the same language, there is an unbreakable trust between a pet and his or her family.

Patrizia Mangiafico lives in Panama and told us her story about her beloved dog called Joy: from family pet, to search-and-rescue dog, to cancer survivor. She also shared Joy´s story on social media. And that´s how we will tell it, through her “online” diary.

Carry on to read about Joy´s inspirational story and how Patrizia came to discover the Bios Urns for pets.

The touching love story between Patrizia and her beloved Joy

9/01/03

Joy’s first day at home!

15/05/14

Joy…doing what she loves most!!

6/06/15

Finally, Joy’s surgery has finished. Her tumor was removed. She is still asleep, but she reacted a little to our strokes and our voices. It’s time to take care of her and pamper her a lot. I love my Joy!

21/09/17

You have seen many pictures of Joy, but I have never really told you about her.

Joy joined the K-Sar group from a very young age, helping to find survivors in disasters.

At the same time, she also volunteered in Colitas, caring for sick and disabled children.

Her health condition sadly forced her to retire … she was always such a happy dog ready to help any human.

Today I read with sadness about people who object to adopting rescue animals, forgetting that many of them rescue us, not only from earthquakes, but from many emotional disasters.

We all have the right to life! My joy is MY JOY!

5/11/2017

To my life companion, thank you for being part of my life.

If I could be the one to carry your pain, I would not hesitate a single second. What I can assure you is that I will be by your side … because a load shared between two, is lighter load.

My Joy is my joy!

21/07/18

These are very difficult and decisive hours …

My greatest peace of mind is to have handed over this situation to God and I am convinced that he and Joy will do what they have to do with my 4-legged angel´s best interests at heart.

I have so much to be thankful for … in my sadness I still feel happy and grateful because of all the love that Joy has received over these past few days has surpassed everything I could have imagined.

Thank you very much, thank you … thank you … thank you to the donor dog and its owner, I don´t know who you are, but they will always be in my prayers for their kindness.

24/07/18

Today I took this picture with Joy … I confess that I did not want to leave the hospital … Joy has had a relapse! 

However, seeing her like this you wouldn´t thin so …so as the saying goes, the “procession is carried inside”.

TODAY, NOW is a good time to talk to you and tell you … diseases do not give you a warning, complications don´t either … that’s why life is NOW! 

“If you snooze, you lose” … When the alarm goes off in the morning, do not hit the snooze button … get up and go! 

Because when you hit that little button to get 5 more minutes of sleep, it´s 5 more minutes of you resisting life, you are resisting to start the day, you are resisting to walk and create what you want! 

When you do not want to get up, you’re saying “I do not want to start living my life, at least not right now!”

If we have a clear purpose in life, with defined objectives, we get up with enthusiasm and passion … so you know where to start.

4/08/18

You have been wonderful about Joy’s health situation!

My 3-legged angel is recovering well, there are better days than others … however, I have no doubt that what the Little Prince once said:

“Only with the heart can you see well, what is essential is invisible to the eyes.”

Thanks to all of your prayers and good vibes, you have helped Joy to walk again in the garden … from the bottom of both of our hearts, we give you infinite thanks!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

27/08/18

This weekend has been very special for me and for all of us who love Joy!

Finally they have allowed him to go to the beach, one of the things he loves the most in the world … and we could not think of a better place than going to Nitro City Panama.

They have made us feel at home and above all they have made Joy feel that she is not alone … that she will continue to receive a lot of love!

And she couldn´t finish his day without a dip in the cool water!

What a beautiful weekend … All I feel is huge gratitude before so much kindness and blessings … knowing that she no longer feels pain … it’s priceless !!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

13/09/18

Two months ago, they “suggested” taking you home, resigning ourselves, and preparing our farewell.

You and I talked, I explained to you that you had cancer and that I wanted to help you, if that’s what you wanted too.

You let me know that your mission was not yet finished and together we bet on life … everything else would be a bonus.

We met wonderful people along the way, like Doctor Romero, Doctor Pineda, also Doctor Camargo, and your favorite nurse, Carlos!

You made several little friends, huge pitbulls that gave you some blood to help you recover, some flies that kept playing with you and kept you alert, several puppies that invited you to play, reminding you that there was still fun on this side of the world .

Today I remember with infinite gratitude each of those splendid beings, today I thank you, Mi Joy, for all the life lessons of love, patience, calm you give me … you have been a great teacher in my life.

I burst with happiness to see you run, I think that with 3 legs you are actually faster … to see you swim and sleep peacefully without pain, it is indescribable … you are my joy!

24/12/18

Although this Christmas you feel exhausted and don´t feel like sitting too close to your little tree, you are with us!

Thanks to you I have become a better person, thanks to your lessons of love, loyalty, kindness, strength and dedication.

You have been my best companion and teacher … you are great!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, my beloved Joy … you’ll be always my joy!

31/12/18

You do not have Instagram … this tribute that I give you today is because you deserve to be known and remembered by all as the most noble and wonderful being that was by my side for almost 11 years.

Today, very early, you decided that you were old enough, and decided to leave. Your mission is over.

You leave us with thousands of beautiful memories by your side. Your only language was love, always unconditional, always loyal, always a teacher.

I feel a huge emptiness, a deep sadness to see you leave suddenly, but with the joy with which you taught me to live in spite of the hardship.

Thank you, my beloved Joy … you were so wise that you decided to close the cycle of your life at the same time that I close another today.

Thank you for honoring us with your presence all these years, thanks for your way of being, your sublime dedication and your tender gaze.

Always, my beloved Joy, you will always be in each sunrise, here in my heart. My Joy, you will always be my joy! 

See you soon, I am completely convinced that we will meet again!

Thanks to all those who always had a word and a gesture of affection towards Joy … from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for loving her and for all the good vibes.

6/01/19

Last Sunday, Joy was by my side … hours later, life took an unexpected turn, and Joy left.

I cried, I cried a lot, and there are still moments that I let myself cry …

However, Joy’s presence was full of joy, peace, life and beautiful feelings. So I understood that such a wonderful being could not cease to exist … that it could give life after life.

That’s why I am immensely happy, because Joy’s ashes will be used to give life to a tree … and we have chosen one that is called “happiness tree” by Bios Urn!

From each sad situation we experience, we can die or we can find a reason that brings us back to joy, back to life!

And when Joy comes back to life as a tree, you will be the first to see her!

Each planting of a Bios Urns for pets is unique

Each planting, each location, is specific to the individual and family, and no two Bios Urns for pets in the world are the same. That´s the beauty of these stories, there is a sense of autonomy and choice. Dealing with loss is always hard, and tends to send life in an unknown and often confusing direction. One thing we believe at Bios Urn, is that people see the beauty of life expressed in nature, and in trees. How we connect with these cycles and these stages is personal into and of itself, but the important thing is that we all connect. Our only hope is to provide comfort and a positive alternative to those who have experienced loss, and to provide a voice for those willing to share their unique stories.