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!
