I ask no pity or even much real sympathy, but I'm gonna say that I'm feeling pretty low about the disappearance of our family dog, Sadie. I just got finished taking fliers around and taping them to stop sign poles and street signs around the neighborhood. Besides the fact that I'm probably going to be hauled off to jail for littering if there is even a decent wind storm in the next week, I also couldn't help but feel despair each time I stuck her face up on a pole.
I'm in the stages of grief, I suppose. You know, Denial, Anger, etc... What comes after Anger? I can't remember. Oh well. In times when I don't know something, I tend to turn to The Simpsons for answers.
Of course, Homer's problem was that he'd eaten what he thought was toxic blow fish. There's another episode in which their dog runs away, and that one could well fit my mood right now, but I can't post an entire episode on here, now can I? Go look it up for yourself, if you are curious.
Anyway, here's the repentance part, and the Op/Ed part to boot. While I was putting up fliers of Sadie, as well as before that when I went around to local animal veterinary hospitals in the area asking about her, I kept feeling real sad. Especially as I put up the fliers in the neighborhood, as I watched people drive past them without even glancing. And I thought to myself in anger: "you're too busy with Facebook and your cell phone and your busy modern life and your own precious concerns to care about my dog. Damn you!"
Yeah, I thought it repeatedly. And then I wondered to myself what people who did notice the fliers but knew nothing of Sadie or her whereabouts would think. Besides the obvious - ahh, she's a cute dog - I found myself thinking what I'd think in their shoes. It went something like this: "Too bad, that dog's probably a goner."
It struck me as I was thinking these things, and I have to say, I am sorry I felt anger toward people and their busy lives, and also that I have been so thoughtless in my life to just feel no real compassion when I see fliers for people's animals that have gone missing. And worse. I too easily say to myself when I see bad news about something, like a family member of somebody I don't know who is missing (like those Amber Alert things) that there is little hope. I certainly don't feel contemptuous, but I don't send out any hope into the universe at large, or even really offer a small prayer in my heart, on their behalf.
I guess I've grown awfully jaded. For that, I'm truly sorry. If losing my dog is the way I have to learn this lesson, then I guess it is what had to be done. After all, I'm always busy with my precious life, so how can I judge others so callously? And I haven't hoped for the best as much as I should in the face of other people's pain. And for that, I accept the judgement of a Higher Power. I'll try to do better in the future, I promise.
But just the same, if Sadie comes back, I won't forget the lesson. I promise. I guess I'm in the bargaining stage now. Sigh...
Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
Think to yourself that every day is your last; the hour to which you do not look forward will come as a welcome surprise. - Horace
Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too? Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief? - William Blake
And remember, it's also very funny, because side by side with grief lies joy. - Fran Drescher
The parting comment:
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| Source: LOL snaps.com |
I had been planning to use this one for some time, and change the word "cat" to my dog Sadie. Now if I don't, it may never be applicable. This fits her pretty well. She'd always roll over so you could pet her belly, but she'd always roll away from you, so you'd have to stretch just a bit further to do any real good. How's that for irony? A lazy dog making others less lazy through her natural habits. Good girl, Sadie.
Hey Universe, I want my dog back!
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