ALTAR II
For the animals who never leave us
They gave us their whole lives. We carry them for the rest of ours.
On Día de Muertos, we build altars for those we miss. The animals we love belong here, too. We speak their names.
This altar began at home for Yogi, who died in 2022 at nine years old from a heart condition. His heart held so much love that it seemed almost too much for his little body to carry.
Last year, soon after moving into our new neighborhood, we brought Yogi’s altar outside and invited our neighbors to visit. They came carrying photographs, names, and stories. In the way you love your animals, we found something we hadn’t expected: more hope for people. Thank you. Every animal deserves a family like yours. This altar belongs to all of us now, and to every animal this community has loved.
This year, we lost Sammy. We make room for him here, too. He gave us seventeen years of mornings. He was the sweetest ball of fur, a gentle soul who stayed beside us through the most important moments of our lives.
Some will say they were just animals. Anyone who has loved one knows better. They stayed close. They waited for us. They chose our side. We were so lucky to be theirs.
Día de Muertos is a Mexican tradition with Indigenous roots. We are grateful to the culture that gave us this way of remembering, and we offer this altar in its honor.
Submit your photos for our virtual altar. If you can stop by in person, bring a printed photo to place on the altar. Tell us who they were. If you cry, it’s okay. We are all human. We are their humans.
Love does not die. It changes form and stays with us. We remember them together. For a little while, no one has to miss them alone.