Love and Death

 Ah, Love and Death, two of our most compelling subjects. They seem to come together for real when death shows up. 

Death of someone we have known is sad and unfortunate. We feel for that family experiencing grief. It gets real  when it is someone close to us, like a member of the family. Often that member is of another species (our pet). Although as I get older, less so.  

When I think about all the animals we've had in our home (as an adult) it adds up quick. My first was a bull terrier at the young age of 19. Since then, something like 10 other dogs have been under my roof, often two at a time. A pet is a lifelong relationship. Theirs, not yours. When the end of their life comes, it's on YOU. 

You have probably figured out where this is going... yep, a four footed member of our household has stepped on a rainbow.  

He had been sick with a tumor for over a year, and the tumor (in his neck) crushed his esophagus making it impossible to eat or drink. His mind and his heart were strong all the way to the end. 

I too have an esophagus issue, but not the scope of dog (Jack White). I can mostly eat (carefully) and rarely choke. So I identified with his issues the whole past year. I also identified with his tendency to obey a command - if he agreed with it. The past year was spent wondering when it had gone on long enough to be a mercy ending his life for him. 

Months ago it seemed his quality of life had diminished to the point that the 'last ride' was upon us. But like the Monty Python scene when I was about to put him in the car he perked up, tail wagging, all enthusiastic. THAT wasn't going to work. 

Even on the morning we did go, he was calm, low energy, jumped down from my arms to smell the smells. I thought "here we go again". But we got through it with no more bursts of energy. Just as the doctor was coming at him with his shot, Jack began choking (as he has been doing every 5 minutes for months). Odd how that was reassuring to me that we were at the right place at the right time.

All life-long relationships end in death (or they wouldn't be life-long). It's sad, but it's a poetic sadness. Like the great truth that it is.   

New Discovery!!!

Scientists have uncovered a new break in reality: "Humans should have, MUST HAVE a screen with a movable image before them at all times" declares Dr. Henry Higabothem, noted researcher.

Luckily, we live in a time that allows our eye sockets to be bathed in moving 2d images nearly all of the time.

While waiting in line to get into the drive in movie theater (Toy Story 3), we were behind a mini van where the kids were watching Toy Story 2 while waiting to get in to see the new flick. OOOKAAAY.

And the super market has got our back; I think mine has about 112 flat screens to let me know important things about the food I'm buying. Tell the truth, that's a guess. I block them out.

The carry-around DVD player, the one we used to watch on our way home from the video rental shop, has been replaced with glasses that give us the Panavision view 24/7- We never have to take them off! Awesome.

The guy that used to be at every social event watching as he taped on his videocam, has been replaced with dozens of people thrusting their phone at you (or whoever). Concentration and excitement focused on the tiny screen.

How about the big high-dollar music festival? The peeps in the first few rows (instead of enjoying seeing the performer close up) are craning their necks back to see them on the big screen instead!

What's your favorite? I gotta go, big stuff up on Youtube.