Antje Becker

The initial brief was simple:  What do you want to take with you and what do you want to leave behind when you die? My answer was even simpler: Nothing. Ideally, I would have come and gone without leaving a trace.  Unfortunately, life isn't that simple. We leave behind carbon footprints, lots of stuff, and a trail of emotions. I am imagining death as much simpler than life. Or at least I did until I started thinking about my joke, "when I die, I want to go to doggy heaven". Would I struggle? How would I fit in? I am not enough dog - yet, there is still much I have to learn and would I ever prefer a stagnant puddle to fresh running water for drinking?!  I know that every single dog I have ever known will recognise and remember me and our joy will be great.  I also know that whilst I am still here amongst the living, they don't think about or miss me. It's what life and death should be all about: live in the moment, be more dog. Most likely, I will remain too much human and just die. The End. and that too is fine with me. And I'll leave you all to tidy up the mess!