Jennifer Lyon


Wednesday, August 24th, 2022
Wednesday Musing

Yesterday we saw Wizard’s out-of-state uncle, aunt, cousin and his wife. It was great to see them and we enjoyed ourselves. While talking, we learned that cousin’s wife is flying back earlier than the rest. So I asked her why.

She was kind of sheepish, but answered that their dog if 14 now, and she doesn’t like being away from him too long even though they have a trusted friend dog sitting. I totally related to that, and I thought it was a pretty healthy attitude. Especially since I know they do a lot of activities and travel whenever they wish. She just wants to spend as much time with their dog while they have him so she was going home a bit early, leaving her husband to have an extra day with his folks. It sounded perfectly reasonable to me, and showed that she appreciates the time she has left with her aging dog and knows that it’s not forever.

Then I contrasted that with taking Maggie into the vet the day before. While I was paying, a woman came out of one of the offices crying after having to put her animal to sleep. All of us grew quiet, respectful of her space and sad as she left. Then I turned to the office staff and said,  “I’m so sorry, I know it’s hard on all of you too.” All true, but then another lady with a small dog who was at the vet’s just to get his toenails clipped, said, “I’d commit suicide.”

We were all shocked. That’s not a healthy attitude. It’s devastating to lose an animal and I’ll be inconsolable for a period of time when I lose my girl. But…I don’t dwell on that, and I certainly don’t live in fear like the lady in the vet’s office. Instead I just try to be like our cousin’s wife and remember (most of the time, LOL!) to appreciate her for whatever time we have.

It was just weird to have to polar opposite experiences with animal lovers back to back. And in a way, it reminded me not to dwell on the sad or bad things that can happen in the future. With some aging and unwell family members, that’s a good lesson. The only time we’re guaranteed is now, and it’s up to us to make the most of that time.

So that’s my musing for today :-) Happy Wednesday!

6 comments to “Wednesday Musing”

  1. B.E. Sanderson
    August 24th, 2022 at 6:38 am · Link

    Kira was part of the reason we weren’t keen on traveling (pre-‘rona). We couldn’t board her and we couldn’t have someone stay with her. We do what we have to for our pets, eh? The woman who said she’d kill herself if her pet died? That’s a totally unhealthy mindset there. Whoa. We love them as much as we can for the time we have them, but we go into pet ownership knowing we’ll outlive them. Which is why a guy I used to know bought a parrot, so he’d never outlive a pet again. (Also an unhealthy mindset, but he had a lot of those.) Enjoy the hell out of Maggie while you have her. She’s awesome. And, by the way, thanks for letting us be a part of enjoying Maggie with you. =o)



  2. Silver James
    August 24th, 2022 at 9:44 am · Link

    Wow. What a great family! Husband and in-laws down with the decision and supporting it. Cousin and wife have an awesome relationship.

    Saying goodbye to pets who are huge parts of our families and hearts is always hard. We’re on the same watch with Boone, who’s 17, which is incredible for a giant breed. We’ll miss him when he’s gone but he’ll be with all our other critters and will be happy.

    We may be a little weird, or maybe it’s because we’ve had lots of furry children. We’re sad but know there is always room in our hearts for the next one. And one usually appears. That’s what happened with Loki, who popped on the radar about a month before Adidas/Deeders passed, and with Jake, who popped up within weeks of us losing Cooper. Just the way of our world, I guess.

    Anyway…yeah.



  3. Viki S.
    August 24th, 2022 at 3:19 pm · Link

    That is SO sweet. I would do the same, that is, if I even left home. Our furry kids are truly members of the family. The woman at the vet was a bit too much though. I love my fur babies but I would not kill myself. What is the point?

    I am very happy that you all did get to spend time together.

    I’ve been busy with doing stuff for hubs and trying to help Julie’s daughter. She is really holding up well. The funeral is Sunday afternoon.

    Today I got up to ants in the sun room and family room. There are so many. I have put in a call to the pest people but haven’t heard back. In the meantime I’m going around and squashing/flushing them. The drive is being sealed tomorrow too. So the pest guy won’t be allowed on the drive until Friday afternoon at the earliest – oh boy.

    I have an appointment to get my hair done Friday. It’s been 10 weeks and looks terrible. Sure hope I can keep it.

    I hope you have a wonderful afternoon.



  4. Jenn
    August 24th, 2022 at 4:11 pm · Link

    B.E., I agree, it’s what we do with our pets. Kira was lucky to have you both! But I also know you guys haven’t been ready to tie yourselves down again just yet either, which is also reasonable and healthy.

    I was so shocked when the woman at the vet said that. And later as I thought about her, it made me sad. She’s probably living with a lot of anxiety.

    That’s pretty intense for the guy to get a parrot so he wouldn’t have to go through it (hopefully — birds get sick too). If it were me, I’d worry about who will take care of the parrot after I’m gone.

    Great advice to enjoy Maggie now, just like you enjoyed Kira for as long as you could.



  5. Jenn
    August 24th, 2022 at 4:19 pm · Link

    Silver, they do seem to have a great relationship from what I can see. I think it’s nice too to give her husband a little time alone with his parents since they don’t all live in the same state. It was a win-win situation.

    I think you guys are loving and brave to do it over and over again :-) The pain of losing an animal wouldn’t stop me from doing it again. The biggest factors would be time, money and are we willing and happy to be someone tied down. But Maggie is worth all those things to us.

    And yeah, 17 is really long for a large breed! I hope Boone’s enjoying every day he has!

    I think Jake and Loki keep you guys young and laughing! They are both such characters, and now Pete’s your garage cat :-)

    I’d much rather have a broken heart for a while then miss out on the years of priceless love we get from our pets.



  6. Jenn
    August 24th, 2022 at 4:28 pm · Link

    Viki, I agree, that kind of dramatic reaction was over the top. And kind of selfish too. I was feeling for the lady and the office staff in that moment. They were trying hard to stay unemotional, but it clearly took a toll on them too. They know they are doing the right thing for the animal, but hurting the people who love the animal.

    Thanks I’m happy we did too. Wizard’s mom is having some normal age related struggles so we try to get out there as much as we can now.

    I hope being able to help is also making you feel a bit better. I don’t know if it helps to hear that Julie’s no longer suffering. At the same time, it’s okay to still miss her and feel for her daughter. You guys have dealt with a lot of loss and difficult news lately, I’m so sorry.

    Ugh ants! I hate them in my house. They are so persistent though, and not easy to deal with. Hope the pest company gets back to you ASAP.

    Crossing my fingers you can make your hair appointment, and the bug zappers can get out there quickly (while working around the driveway seal).



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