The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This week has been a tough week on DoodleKisses.  I am at a loss for words and that almost never happens.  Peaceful sleeping has eluded me and I know I am not alone.  I would like to say I can’t eat, but that is not how I deal with stress either.  For me, it started with the DRC “Home 4 the Holidays” slideshow.  I watched the show from beginning to end and was so touched by all the stories, but I couldn’t shake the image of Moses.  His story broke my heart. He had been beaten or kicked by someone and dropped off at a shelter. The DRC stepped in to save him, but his injuries were too severe and he had to be euthanized. 

 

I walk almost every day with my wonderful neighbor.  She is a very upbeat person and faces every test in her life by saying, “everything happens for a reason.”  I wish sometimes I could face life that way too, but then along comes a Moses and I have to ask myself what possible reason could there be for something like that to happen to an innocent, trusting animal?  Is it supposed to teach us that people are capable of incredible acts of cruelty?  Don’t we already know that and see it every day in the news?

 

Next, I came home to find Joanne’s beautiful tribute to Starlit and I am still in shock.  How can this happen to a member of our DK family and to a beautiful dog that many of us remember from the moment she showed up on the front page looking for a home?  We have watched her grow, discussed her, and many people on DK have benefited from Joanne’s training with Starlit, and Roger and Joanne’s experiences along the way.  It is hard to explain to people not on this site how you can get so wrapped up in DK and feel like you are part of a community that “gets it” when it comes to the love you feel for your own dogs and other dogs on this site. Most people think we are nuts, but we know we are just nuts about our dogs.

 

Yes, this has been one of the toughest weeks I can ever remember on DK.  The “Home 4 the Holidays” slideshow showed us that there are tons of dogs, just like ours, only not as lucky, thrown away by people everyday.  They end up in shelters, through no fault of their own; except they had the bad luck to start out with the wrong humans. Luckily, for the dogs in that slideshow, DRC jumped in and most of them got a second chance and hopefully, dealt a better hand this next time around.  Thankfully, we were able to see some of those happy endings that came about through the hard work and dedication of all of the volunteers that work so diligently to save dogs.

 

I really can’t come up with any reason either why Starlit passed away.  It just seems so unfair and wrong.  The only thing I can say is that I am proud to be part of a community that wrapped its collective arms around Joanne, Roger, and Spud, at this heartbreaking time.  I hope it helps them to know that as dog lovers, we know that losing a dog takes a big piece of our heart and anyone who says, “it is only a dog,” never truly experienced the love of a dog.  We really are like a family.  We fight, we makeup, we laugh, we cry, and we are there for each other through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ronna, I remember Ella and Ruby and their story. Thank you and Michael for saving those two dogs. I am glad one thing good came out of hearing the story of Moses. Thank you for telling me!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Laurie, I just wanted to tell you that the first time I ever read Moses' story It tore me apart to the core.  I read it one evening and literally stayed up the entire night crying.  I had just recently joined DRC.  The very next morning I got to work, checked my email and found that 2 doodles were in the high kill shelter here in my area.  Ella and Ruby.  Because of Moses that day was my (along with Michael) first ever pull, transport, vet of a doodle in need.  The story of Moses will forever haunt me but it has also forever changed me.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Denise, I think your dad must know my neighbor. She says both things all the time too and is always very upbeat. I can't really say I am the same, but we balance each other out on our walks...LOL. Thank you!

Sherri, I felt the same way for a couple of days. Just lurked :)

Ricki, I always like how you think and I think your motto is closer to my motto :) Thank you for the chuckle!

I knew Donna and F would chime in.....

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It's true Donna! And my motto is "When life hands you s**t, make compost out of it!" :)

[Donna K & Quincy]

Really, that's what it all comes down to in the end. :>)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

F-LOL!! That's TRUE! Maybe I should rethink this natural lifestyle thing..I might be getting more than my fair share of the "S#$t"!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

@ Ricki, at least it's a "natural" product : ) But I do always advise everyone to enjoy the lulls, because S#@t sure does happen.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thank you for this blog, Laurie. It certain states well what I carry in my heart about DK and the circumstances of our animal companions in this world. It is so special to have a safe place to come to for support during the good, bad and ugly times.

I too am not in agreement with the "everything happens for a reason" philosophy .  I think we live in a broken world and my own belief is closer to the one I see on bumper stickers..."S#@t happens!"

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Laurie. This was well said. Tough week indeed. I had been sort of staying away more than usual as I can't deal with all the sadness. Of course, I couldn't resist completely :)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Laurie, only you could put into words what all of us are feeling in our hearts.  Thank you for that. No one will ever understand why things happen the way that they do completely.  My dad always said "everything happens for a reason" and "it it's meant to be it will be".  Those are two phrases that follow me daily and prayer.