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Electric Monk

(13,869 posts)
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:03 AM Jan 2016

I'd like to appologize if I've come across as a bit of a jerk this past week (sorry if this is meta)

We just had to put our 7 year old dog to sleep. It was time. It was maybe even past time, but we didn't want to let go. He was the smartest and most loyal dog I've ever known. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in August, and the chemo protocol didn't work for him. Cancer fucking sucks. I'm not having a particularly good time tonight, and I recognize I've been a bit of a dick lately, particularly about organized religions like Islam and Christianity. Let's hope next year is less painful. I do see a new puppy joining our family in the near future, but I don't know if they can live up to his legacy. He was super smart. Sometimes it seemed like he could read minds.

Here's to hoping 2016 goes better than this, and that a Democrat holds the White House in November, and we have a bunch of down-ticket wins too. Republicans are dangerously nuts. "Conservatives" cause cancer. Just look at the Kochs and all their coal power plants, for example. Fuck 'em. They and those like them are more of an immediate threat to me and mine than the Afghan Talliban or Iranian Mullahs are.

Cancer fucking sucks.

Here's hoping we all have a happy new year, and I can bring myself to stop acting like such a jerk

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I'd like to appologize if I've come across as a bit of a jerk this past week (sorry if this is meta) (Original Post) Electric Monk Jan 2016 OP
The right puppy will find you, and will... 3catwoman3 Jan 2016 #1
You have nothing to apologize for. There is such a huge hole in your heart when this roguevalley Jan 2016 #16
No apologies necessary. GGJohn Jan 2016 #2
We can disagree about guns, but I'm glad you're with me on environmental issues. Electric Monk Jan 2016 #3
Lead pollution is a definite environmental issue, and it should be an issue that spans all GGJohn Jan 2016 #5
Anyone who doesn't think lead is an environmental issue hasn't been paying attention. pnwmom Jan 2016 #6
Perfect example. eom. GGJohn Jan 2016 #7
Thank you for your replies. You get it. nt Electric Monk Jan 2016 #9
My husband, too. pnwmom Jan 2016 #12
To a better year, EM. lovemydog Jan 2016 #4
Having to put a dog to sleep is always terrible, but especially bad pnwmom Jan 2016 #8
May 2016 be much better for you in every way Hekate Jan 2016 #10
I'm really sorry for your loss. herding cats Jan 2016 #11
It is so very hard to let go of a beloved companion. SheilaT Jan 2016 #13
I am so very sorry for your loss. I sometimes don't read posts about pet loss because it hits me hlthe2b Jan 2016 #14
So sorry about your dog. I was a jerk to you a few weeks back and I apologize too. Bluenorthwest Jan 2016 #15
To be blunt, pet loss seriously fucks you up from an emotional perspective. bullwinkle428 Jan 2016 #17
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. smirkymonkey Jan 2016 #18
I'm very sorry, and I hadn't noticed anything. yardwork Jan 2016 #19
It is one of the hardest things to do sarisataka Jan 2016 #20

3catwoman3

(24,016 posts)
1. The right puppy will find you, and will...
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:07 AM
Jan 2016

...make his or her own footprints on your heart. One of our vets once told us that the best way to honor a departed pet is to offer the same loving home to another. When we have adopted new cats, I always call them successors, never replacements.

I share your wishes for 2016.

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)
16. You have nothing to apologize for. There is such a huge hole in your heart when this
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 04:20 PM
Jan 2016

happens that it takes a while. You have my love and sympathy. You never get the dog you want. You get the one you need. One is waiting for you when you're ready. Take care and know you're loved.

GGJohn

(9,951 posts)
2. No apologies necessary.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:14 AM
Jan 2016

We've clashed before, but I still consider you a fellow DU friend, I understand what you're going through, we just lost, in the last 2 weeks, our beloved pit bull mix dogs to parvo, they were inside dogs and we just didn't realize that parvo could invade our home, so, stupidly, we didn't get their shots, so, I live with the guilt that I may have cost the lives of our beloved Kando and BonnieGirl.

Our deepest condolences to you and your family to the loss of your family member and hopefully, a better new year.

 

Electric Monk

(13,869 posts)
3. We can disagree about guns, but I'm glad you're with me on environmental issues.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:26 AM
Jan 2016

I happen to think lead pollution is an environmental issue, but I think that discrepancy might be a generational thing...

I care deeply about the future because I plan to spend the rest of my life there. Happy new year

GGJohn

(9,951 posts)
5. Lead pollution is a definite environmental issue, and it should be an issue that spans all
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:31 AM
Jan 2016

generations.
I too, care deeply about the future, for my children, my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren.

Peace to you and your family and a Happy New Year to you also.

pnwmom

(108,980 posts)
6. Anyone who doesn't think lead is an environmental issue hasn't been paying attention.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:48 AM
Jan 2016

Flint, Michigan, for example.

pnwmom

(108,980 posts)
12. My husband, too.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 04:32 AM
Jan 2016

Our dog was older, and suffering, but having to put him to sleep still was an awful experience. And we weren't prepared for the emotional impact of that loss, even though we still had another dog.

Then, this Christmas it hit us again. Kind of an aftershock.

But the new puppy has definitely found his own spot in our hearts.

Yours will, too!

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
4. To a better year, EM.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:30 AM
Jan 2016

I'm so sorry your dog passed away. I know how difficult it is to lose a dog, it's one of the most painful things I've experienced. I'm sure you gave him a great life.

Yes, here's hoping we all have a happy new year.

pnwmom

(108,980 posts)
8. Having to put a dog to sleep is always terrible, but especially bad
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 02:52 AM
Jan 2016

during the holidays.

We know -- we had to do it a year ago, right after Christmas, and this year the reality hit us again.

But in the meantime, we found another wonderful little guy. And even though he's not a clone of our old dog, we know he's just as great in his own way.

I hope you find another pal, too. You'll always love the dog you just lost, but the new one will be special in his own particular way.





 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
13. It is so very hard to let go of a beloved companion.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 04:40 AM
Jan 2016

I am frequently distressed by how many people keep a cat or a dog alive far longer than they should. A friend of mine is currently in denial that she should really let her 17 year old cat go. I know how hard it is. I've bid farewell to four cats in the past twenty years, three of them over a three and a half year time span. It's not easy, but when they are suffering, it's pure selfishness to keep them here.

My only other advice is to tell you not to replace your wonderful dog too soon. Take time to mourn him and miss him. It's okay. When you do welcome a new dog, you want to be sure that you appreciate him for his own wonderful uniqueness, not for taking the place of your old one.

hlthe2b

(102,310 posts)
14. I am so very sorry for your loss. I sometimes don't read posts about pet loss because it hits me
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 08:23 AM
Jan 2016

Last edited Fri Jan 1, 2016, 09:25 AM - Edit history (1)

to the core and brings back the loss of my own over the years. A sad commonality that pet lovers have in common.

Just know that I understand and hope that the pain will ease. When it does, I hope another loving, deserving dog will find its way to you--just as it has for me.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
15. So sorry about your dog. I was a jerk to you a few weeks back and I apologize too.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 09:35 AM
Jan 2016

I do regret the snark. There is also backstory to the snark but that's unimportant. What is important is that I am sorry to have been a jerk to you.

bullwinkle428

(20,629 posts)
17. To be blunt, pet loss seriously fucks you up from an emotional perspective.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 06:52 PM
Jan 2016

Been there, done that, and I know I'll have to go through it again at some point, much as I hate to think about it. K&R.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
18. I'm so sorry to hear about your dog.
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 06:59 PM
Jan 2016

I think the greatest pain in my life ever has been caused by the loss of a dog. Trust me, I know how badly you are hurting. I'm really sorry for your loss.

sarisataka

(18,684 posts)
20. It is one of the hardest things to do
Fri Jan 1, 2016, 07:04 PM
Jan 2016

even when you know it is necessary and a mercy. Condolences on your loss

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