My pal Jimmy
Jan. 13th, 2004 04:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hippybngstockngI'm doing okay, but I got some sad news that got me thinking.
My Uncle and Aunt's eight year old ginormous black mutt of a dog Jim passed away suddenly last night of a softball sized tumor in his abdomen. No one had any clue he was sick until he suddenly had trouble breathing in the early evening. He seemed to get over it for a while, but within hours he was gone.
People may call it nuts, but I feel the death of pets the same as I feel the death of people because in my mind and heart it's really the same thing. Every animal I have ever known has been different than the next. I like to get to know all of them, give them all a scritch, let them sniff my hand and make a new friend. I have a billion friends all over the world that will now know my smell if we ever cross paths again, all usually very friendly which is more than I can say for the billions of people who have crossed my path.
I understand when people are not as into interacting with animals as I am. Different people like different things, and I am not going to start liking football just because it seems like everyone in the known universe seems to like it so much, so I wouldn't ask someone who doesn't like animals much to run out and find a dog to roll around with.
However, when people get snarky about people being sad when a pet dies I really want to smack them with a newspaper. There is the usual statement of "It was just a dog" and "they can get another one" which are both true statements, but it still doesn't change the fact that it is Jimmy who is gone, and he was not just any dog. My Uncle's email sounded like he was embarrassed that he was sharing what for him I know is very painful news. I wish he didn't have to feel embarrassed, but I know why he does. People should be sensitive to people with pets when the pet dies as much as if it was a family member because to a pet owner it truly is the same thing. And the pet owner should not have to feel shame at feeling sad. If anyone out there ever has a pet die and they want someone to feel sorry for them, look me up, I am here, I understand.
Jimmy's tail was at coffee table height and it was always in motion. He knew about 75 words which is easily double what your average dog knows. He was fond of carrots and shaving cream, both of which he sought out insatiably. He would announce the comings and goings of anyone within a five block radius, and could warn you of oncoming ambulances before you even knew they were coming. He was also the most loving dog you ever met. He was too big to fit on a couch, so he would back up and put his butt up next to you and continue to stand with his front legs on the floor. He would run into the room if he heard you laughing and always seemed to want you to repeat the joke for his benefit. He took very good care of my Uncle and Aunt, and they of him, despite the fact that he was originally a gift given to their youngest son by a former girlfriend.
You can't tell me that Jimmy was just a dog more than you could tell me that your mom was just a mom. I'll be okay, but I feel sorry for my Aunt and Uncle, and for myself because I know my poor Betty is going to have that same night sometime soon. She's doing really well right now, but I can see the changes starting, and I can see the end of the road though it is still a few blocks away. It's sometimes really hard for me, knowing she is sick, but I also get embarrassed about talking about it.
I really love my dog and I'm never sorry about that.
My Uncle and Aunt's eight year old ginormous black mutt of a dog Jim passed away suddenly last night of a softball sized tumor in his abdomen. No one had any clue he was sick until he suddenly had trouble breathing in the early evening. He seemed to get over it for a while, but within hours he was gone.
People may call it nuts, but I feel the death of pets the same as I feel the death of people because in my mind and heart it's really the same thing. Every animal I have ever known has been different than the next. I like to get to know all of them, give them all a scritch, let them sniff my hand and make a new friend. I have a billion friends all over the world that will now know my smell if we ever cross paths again, all usually very friendly which is more than I can say for the billions of people who have crossed my path.
I understand when people are not as into interacting with animals as I am. Different people like different things, and I am not going to start liking football just because it seems like everyone in the known universe seems to like it so much, so I wouldn't ask someone who doesn't like animals much to run out and find a dog to roll around with.
However, when people get snarky about people being sad when a pet dies I really want to smack them with a newspaper. There is the usual statement of "It was just a dog" and "they can get another one" which are both true statements, but it still doesn't change the fact that it is Jimmy who is gone, and he was not just any dog. My Uncle's email sounded like he was embarrassed that he was sharing what for him I know is very painful news. I wish he didn't have to feel embarrassed, but I know why he does. People should be sensitive to people with pets when the pet dies as much as if it was a family member because to a pet owner it truly is the same thing. And the pet owner should not have to feel shame at feeling sad. If anyone out there ever has a pet die and they want someone to feel sorry for them, look me up, I am here, I understand.
Jimmy's tail was at coffee table height and it was always in motion. He knew about 75 words which is easily double what your average dog knows. He was fond of carrots and shaving cream, both of which he sought out insatiably. He would announce the comings and goings of anyone within a five block radius, and could warn you of oncoming ambulances before you even knew they were coming. He was also the most loving dog you ever met. He was too big to fit on a couch, so he would back up and put his butt up next to you and continue to stand with his front legs on the floor. He would run into the room if he heard you laughing and always seemed to want you to repeat the joke for his benefit. He took very good care of my Uncle and Aunt, and they of him, despite the fact that he was originally a gift given to their youngest son by a former girlfriend.
You can't tell me that Jimmy was just a dog more than you could tell me that your mom was just a mom. I'll be okay, but I feel sorry for my Aunt and Uncle, and for myself because I know my poor Betty is going to have that same night sometime soon. She's doing really well right now, but I can see the changes starting, and I can see the end of the road though it is still a few blocks away. It's sometimes really hard for me, knowing she is sick, but I also get embarrassed about talking about it.
I really love my dog and I'm never sorry about that.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 07:11 pm (UTC)You have my profoundest sympathy.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-16 08:28 am (UTC)I like your journal- can I add you as a friend? I need more writing friends :) Especially SF writing friends!
I 'm and old friend of tafkar, and I like to think I am pretty cool, and I'm housebroken for the most part ;)
Thanks again for the sympathy.