Today I posted in a thread about homophobia... in it I said that we all need to take personal responsibility for making this place, our own lives, towns, countries and even the whole world, a better place - heck we even need to encourage corporations to behave in this manner.

We have voices and when we make them heard, change happens - maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but a collection of voices united to make itself heard does make a difference in the future, in how others view the world, in how companies do business, in each of us too. But when we keep silent, change doesn't happen.... well maybe it does but not because you kept silent... I'm just saying ;-p

Ponder on an old and maybe a slightly bitter George Carlin...

http://www.disaster-girl.com/2011/12/circling-drain-with-george-carlin.html

Meanwhile back on the farm, my last remaining dog - possibly even the last of my life, dunno, it remains to be seen, is circling the proverbial drain. It's been happening for a while - slowing down, unable to manage the stairs, sleeping a lot, less playful...even to the point of not doing his daily "Life is good" roll on the carpet or his "You're back home!" blitz...

But we've accommodated these signs of age. His beloved alpha-male carries him upstairs to his office in the morning after sharing half of the eggs, ham and cheese breakfast on the sofa watching sports news. Around noon, he's carried downstairs for a bathroom break and lunch treats. Late afternoon, the guys hang out on the sofa - maybe napping or watching tv. Dinnertime brings more treats... All in all, a very good life for a dog that was on the "short list" at Brooklyn Animal Control almost 11 years ago... He was five years old, in bad shape, a biter of hands and well cute as a button, as the saying goes.

I guess the stars aligned because my son had lost his beloved dog to cancer after only three years and a few days before Gus came into our lives, my son finally confided in me that he really wanted a little white dog. That evening I went online, saw Gus on the BAC website and called my dog rescue friend and ask her to bring us Gus. Curiously she was going the next day...if she hadn't been, well...

Gus came a few weeks before our annual excruciating trek to the familial home for the obligatory holiday visit. I asked my dog rescue friend to babysit Gus while we were gone. During that time, Gus was not well. It turned out he had a ruptured disk in his neck. In another twist of fate, the dog rescue organization decided they should pay the $2,800 bill for his MRI and surgery. We'd have been waiting for ashes faced with that kind of bill. But my son and I showed up faithfully four times a year to volunteer for 2 1/2 day weekends with that organization for many, many years afterwards...

Later in life, I gave Gus the gift of the alpha-male that would allow himself to be followed around. Everywhere. When his man would go to work or the store or even the mailbox, Gus would wait by the door...often whining under his breath, though usually louder, much to my chagrin... Despite not really wanting a dog, Gus's man has gone out of his way to make Gus's life a virtual heaven on earth. Truly a dog could not have asked for more.

But the past few days, Gus has been staying downstairs with me - the provider of stomachache pills and baby aspirin, the one who rubs his old, aching hips. So yeah, we all want our mother when we don't feel good, I guess. And it's clear to me what I'll be facing soon... ~sigh~

So anyway, let's not forget how finite time is - truly. Live and let live. Live like there is no tomorrow... platitudes, trite sayings - they carry more than a spark of truth.

Thanks for reading - wall of text done - here's your usual ;-p

Well, that's certainly...a post. I'll admit, really not that sure how homophobia and the tale of your family dog relates all that much beyond getting back to a message of 'live and let live'. It's a good message though. Sorry about your dog.

It's just another day in paradise ;-)

As to my dog, well sadly their lives are far too short but I've done my best to give him a "pretty good life" and make up for whatever he suffered in the first five years before he came to live with me. He eventually stopped nipping at people though I was never able to find a groomer (except myself...teflon gloves might have been useful ;-)

But yeah, you got the message and that's all that counts.

Thanks for the post Momo, +1 to you and the george carlin bit is awesome, he is one of my fav comedians and didnt check out his standup work till later after he died sadly. Anyways about the homophobia thing, ive been through that my whole life with hearing the name calling, slurs, having family members saying there freaks or less than human. That's why I buried myself being a loner for decades, making gaming my whole life.

It is what it is, however times are alot better than it was back in the day and its way more out open for discussion for understanding. So, honestly despite the troll thread, its not as bad as it used to be.

For your doggy, im very sorry to hear. I've had to go through that many times. They are so special and loving and care unconditionally which sadly most humans lack, lol. Anyways, yeah I had a mixed retriever dog that passed away last year that hit hard because I had to see her suffer to the end. My father didn't want to put her down when she was terminally ill, it was just to hard to let her go so fast. I was the only one with her when they gave her the shot. I swear I must have been crying for like 3 hours straight at the vet and even when she was put to sleep, I cried all night through. It's very difficult process, however they know all the love and caring they get from you and they say their goodbyes in their own way.

Don't let it detract getting another doggy tho, so many need good homes. And get a shelter dog, there the best ^_^ My last 2 were shelter doggies. Still have the little one and she is wonderful, spoiled and very smart.

Awww Momo. Thank you for the post as well :).Sorry to hear.....

Indeed, it is getting better. Hate (well, let's call it fear and superstition that is engendered in small children generation after generation), seems to be slowing down. Sadly I don't expect to see an end to humanity's "fear of the stranger", a trait that may have been useful millennium ago, in my lifetime. However, I do have cause for hope. When each of us speaks up in the face of "fear of the stranger" commentary, we make a positive impact on the world. Anyway, I'm glad you aren't feeling so alienated!

As to my dog, I too have had to face that horrible decision way too many times but it is a kindness and staying with them through their final moments is an act of real courage.

In terms of adopting another shelter dog, my amazing husband would like a break from being responsible for a furry child. For someone that isn't really a dog-lover, he's humored the women in his life for many, many years. One of them has raised numerous puppies for The Seeing Eye organization. http://www.seeingeye.org/ We've checked into doing something similar locally but it's a completely different program so we may or may not participate. But yes, Adopt/Don't Shop! I'm quite certain that in saving a life, mine was the life that was saved. Shelter dogs are truly the best ;-)

Thanks for the reminder Momo that there is so much love in the world just waiting to be shared. It makes the energy devoted to hating all the more fruitless.

I'm sorry that your dog seems to be nearing the end, but you both have done your utmost to make his life a fulfilling one. There is nothing better, regardless of how brief that life may seem against our span. When the time is right I hope you will take another one into your loving household again.

And I agree that shelter adoptions are the best! For both dogs and cats.

I was disappointed after reading the thread title that this wasn't about toilet humor.

George Carlin is/was awesome. Pets make everything better, even as (and after) they pass.

And here's Morgan Freeman's take on homophobia.

Wouldn't it be more appropriate here if it were about a re-release of the arcade game Bubbles?

Indeed! John Lennon had it quite correct.

As to cats, I adore them and agree that while dogs have owners while cats have staff, in our case, Gus might be part cat ;-) Sadly, while a cat would allow us to travel more freely, my husband is highly allergic to them as is my son.

As an update, eggs and ham were eaten and he's just asked to be upstairs with his beloved alpha-male, so it looks like a good day so far.

On that note we need to keep this thread going for a few more weeks so that I can post pics of my donkeys when I get them.

Yes we all want to see your ass.

Asses
There are three of them and don't worry, they are miniature so I don't want anyone freaking out that I might show my big asses in here.

[Insert comment about the unsuitability of tinyE posting pictures of his ass.]

Edit: LOL, ninja'ed so hard my own donkey is hurting! :p