I TOO WAS THE KID WHO SAVED STICKERS AND NEVER USED THEM. That line sort of got me, Byron. I feel seen. And that's really all I can say here in this comment-- because when it comes to dogs and loving them and worrying that they're going to die .... oof. I'm a mess. xo
As soon as I read this title, I knew exactly what you meant. My old buddy, Obie, lived to be 15. I think that I worried about losing him from the day that I got him - more seriously when he hit the scary double digits in age. I guess what I realized is that they’re a lot tougher than we give them credit for. Shirley seems like she plans on sticking around for a very long time.
I love this - I’ve started looking at my rescue Kacey the same way - she’s almost human. I love my other two dogs equally but she’s very special - intuitive, she tries to talk to me and I swear she understands when I explain. 🐾♥️
Thank you for your post. I totally relate! I certainly became unbelievably sad at the thought that my dog would die one day! But now that he's actually gone, I think he was also THAT dog who was meant to be with us because he made us feel that way about him. So you and Shirley sound like you're meant for each other. ❤️
I was also the kid who saved stickers. Somehow I didn’t care that the other boys at my conservative Christian school were out playing football or whatever. I wanted to be inside trying to fit in with the mean girls trading and collecting stickers. At some point, I started to care too much about what others thought of me. Where was that switch and how do I turn it off? I am convinced that our dog loves my bf and only tolerates me. I am not the chosen one, yet can’t imagine life without him. I try to lessen the wind that scares him. I love too hard without the majority of it being reciprocated. That’s just me, the boy with the sticker book, trying so hard to be liked, loved, seen, even by our dog.
Hey, I see you! Sounds like your superpower is how deeply you feel things! Incredible! So many people are numb. That’s big love energy. Not always easy but maybe really rewarding when it hits? Loving you!
Oh, Byron. How you cut right to the heart of what it is to be human. Dogs are such a mirror for us, pulling all the bits of our humanity out of the shadows and into sharp focus. Thank you.
Oh, Byron! I understand all of this and feel it so much! Something that really helped me as our dog Stella was getting older was reading Jen Lancaster's book The Tao of Martha. While she was writing that book her dog was going through health issues (this is a small part of the book, but an important part). The way she talked about loving her dog fixed something in me in a way that let me really enjoy Stella's elder years. I listened on audiobook--it's a fun listen overall, and the dog part is truly beautiful. Highly recommend.
love this, so relatable. See also: the expensive champagne going bad having saved it for the right occasion. Advice I give to people: the biggest tragedies of our lives are the things we never saw coming, the things we didn't worry about or anticipate - so what's the point of worrying? And yet, I forget to tell myself the same thing.
This one hits hard. We have lost 3 dogs in 3 years because we volunteered with (and adopted from) a senior dog rescue when we lived in California. After Peggy died last summer, Mike said “I love you, but I request a lower mileage dog”
So, now we have our Annie (who is still a rescue) but she will be 3 in a few weeks and she’s perfect. It has taken me some time to realize she’s just a regular dog- no medicine, no supplements, no bladder issues and she can make it the whole way around the park for a walk and she is exactly the dog we needed.
Oh Margo. I'm so sorry! Poor Peggy (and you and Mike). I'm sorry. And ANNIE!!! YAY! Oh wow. "Exactly the dog we needed." The universe knows. Heard you. Here you go. Love!
It's a common term in psychology! Terrible feeling, and can cause all sorts of inflated hypervigilence and perseverating. But: you're certainly not alone in feeling it!
This hit me hard, and I relate on so many levels. First, my hairy beast, Pond, was supposed to be mine and my sister's dog. However, the day after we brought her home, my sister died suddenly. That was almost 8 years ago, and the thought of anything happening to this gorgeous creature that my sister left me, well, it is unthinkable.
I learned a lot living with my sister. She was a secular Buddhist and tried to emulate the equanimity of her practice. She admitted she wasn't very good at it. But one thing she taught me was the importance of remaining in the present. I'm not very good at that. But it's a practice.
I love your sweet vulnerability. Love to you and Steven. xox
I TOO WAS THE KID WHO SAVED STICKERS AND NEVER USED THEM. That line sort of got me, Byron. I feel seen. And that's really all I can say here in this comment-- because when it comes to dogs and loving them and worrying that they're going to die .... oof. I'm a mess. xo
WE ARE EXCELLENT AT BEING HUMAN HAHA 😅! And doggos are such excellent teachers ❤️
Should have pegged you both for being sticker hoarders (true confession— still am! I say I’m buying them for the students, but…..)
Laura— come over for Rio snuggles anytime! Byron— bummed I didn’t get to meet Belle this week! Next time!!!
Haha love us!!! Belle is bummed too. Next time!!
I can't even convey how much I miss having a pup in the house.....
As soon as I read this title, I knew exactly what you meant. My old buddy, Obie, lived to be 15. I think that I worried about losing him from the day that I got him - more seriously when he hit the scary double digits in age. I guess what I realized is that they’re a lot tougher than we give them credit for. Shirley seems like she plans on sticking around for a very long time.
Aw John I love this. 15!! Thinking of Obie today ❤️
I love this - I’ve started looking at my rescue Kacey the same way - she’s almost human. I love my other two dogs equally but she’s very special - intuitive, she tries to talk to me and I swear she understands when I explain. 🐾♥️
SHE DOES! Love to you…. and Kacey!!! (And the other two haha)
❤️❤️❤️
❤️🥺🐾
Thank you for your post. I totally relate! I certainly became unbelievably sad at the thought that my dog would die one day! But now that he's actually gone, I think he was also THAT dog who was meant to be with us because he made us feel that way about him. So you and Shirley sound like you're meant for each other. ❤️
Beautiful Diane. Thank you for sharing this 🥹🐾
All of this!! I relate to everything - especially since losing Otis too soon and suddenly. I’m obsess over everything Moxie does. We’ll discuss. 🤍
HURRY!
I was also the kid who saved stickers. Somehow I didn’t care that the other boys at my conservative Christian school were out playing football or whatever. I wanted to be inside trying to fit in with the mean girls trading and collecting stickers. At some point, I started to care too much about what others thought of me. Where was that switch and how do I turn it off? I am convinced that our dog loves my bf and only tolerates me. I am not the chosen one, yet can’t imagine life without him. I try to lessen the wind that scares him. I love too hard without the majority of it being reciprocated. That’s just me, the boy with the sticker book, trying so hard to be liked, loved, seen, even by our dog.
Hey, I see you! Sounds like your superpower is how deeply you feel things! Incredible! So many people are numb. That’s big love energy. Not always easy but maybe really rewarding when it hits? Loving you!
Oh, Byron. How you cut right to the heart of what it is to be human. Dogs are such a mirror for us, pulling all the bits of our humanity out of the shadows and into sharp focus. Thank you.
Oh, Byron! I understand all of this and feel it so much! Something that really helped me as our dog Stella was getting older was reading Jen Lancaster's book The Tao of Martha. While she was writing that book her dog was going through health issues (this is a small part of the book, but an important part). The way she talked about loving her dog fixed something in me in a way that let me really enjoy Stella's elder years. I listened on audiobook--it's a fun listen overall, and the dog part is truly beautiful. Highly recommend.
Thanks friend. Appreciate you! Will check this out! ❤️
love this, so relatable. See also: the expensive champagne going bad having saved it for the right occasion. Advice I give to people: the biggest tragedies of our lives are the things we never saw coming, the things we didn't worry about or anticipate - so what's the point of worrying? And yet, I forget to tell myself the same thing.
SO WISE!!!! Love this Aimee! Going to start quoting you!
This one hits hard. We have lost 3 dogs in 3 years because we volunteered with (and adopted from) a senior dog rescue when we lived in California. After Peggy died last summer, Mike said “I love you, but I request a lower mileage dog”
So, now we have our Annie (who is still a rescue) but she will be 3 in a few weeks and she’s perfect. It has taken me some time to realize she’s just a regular dog- no medicine, no supplements, no bladder issues and she can make it the whole way around the park for a walk and she is exactly the dog we needed.
Oh Margo. I'm so sorry! Poor Peggy (and you and Mike). I'm sorry. And ANNIE!!! YAY! Oh wow. "Exactly the dog we needed." The universe knows. Heard you. Here you go. Love!
Anticipatory anxiety is a real bitch!
Love the term! Don't love the feeling. But I sure do respect it.
It's a common term in psychology! Terrible feeling, and can cause all sorts of inflated hypervigilence and perseverating. But: you're certainly not alone in feeling it!
This hit me hard, and I relate on so many levels. First, my hairy beast, Pond, was supposed to be mine and my sister's dog. However, the day after we brought her home, my sister died suddenly. That was almost 8 years ago, and the thought of anything happening to this gorgeous creature that my sister left me, well, it is unthinkable.
I learned a lot living with my sister. She was a secular Buddhist and tried to emulate the equanimity of her practice. She admitted she wasn't very good at it. But one thing she taught me was the importance of remaining in the present. I'm not very good at that. But it's a practice.
I love your sweet vulnerability. Love to you and Steven. xox
WOW! Thanks for sharing this. I’m sorry for your loss and my heart is so full about Pond! Also what a great name ❤️
Loving you! (And Pond!)
Named after a Doctor Who companion. <3