So so sorry about Maisie! My dog Violet is 14 and while she seems to be ok for now she does have health issues. I just feel every day with her is a gift.
I am so sorry about Maisie. We lost two last summer. Kiwi was old and her body gave out but Luna started having grand Mal seizures and she couldn't survive them. It was so hard just 3 weeks apart. I know how it never gets easier, but I wouldn't not have a dog in my life. Keep trying to remember the joy you had with Maisie.
Thank you for your Christmas column. Your references to. your beloved pet brought tears to my eyes. I am such a canine lover. Dogs, I long have believed, are the surest sign to me that God exists.
We have lost two canines in recent years. My wife and I still grieve for the loss. We have yet to process the losse. We grieve for ourselves, I confess, not just for the deceased pets, Sabrina (golden retriever) and Lexy (mix).
Life has its compensations. Our older son, after we said repeatedly that we could not take the pain of possibly having another canine and losing them, ignored our pleas and went to neighboring West Virginia and purchased a Doberman puppy and brought it home and gave it to us.
We fell instantly In love with Tyson (our son named him!).
If is true that when one door or more, as with the death of our previous two dogs, closes that God opens another door, that surely is the case with Tyson. He enriches our life. His devotion to us is off the charts. We cannot imagine life without the big fellow.
Pardon my diversion and emotions, but thank you for your humanity, Thomas, your caring for living creatures, both two-legged and four-legged. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost one of my sweet dogs a week before Christmas a few years ago so I know the pain you are going through. It’s tough to have Christmas when you’re so sad.
As a faithful Durham-based reader, I appreciate this post immensely. My husband died in August from an aggressive cancer. The season of celebration requires tremendous energy while concurrently managing grief. Some years the holidays are more complicated than others. I wish your family peace.
Sending you love and peace. No sweet dog ever lives long enough. They open our hearts so that in their absence we may love even more. Peace to you, and thank you for all you do.
Our pets become significant family members.... When we lose them, then an emptiness and a fullness collide. And more moments in which we grapple with the impermanence of it all. And in that, the art of soul to lead us on. The richness of memories, ever bittersweet. Because we know we are more alive because we loved our pets and received back their love. Cheers to Maisy! And to your household in NC and in Sweden. And to connections you continue to strengthen through your writing. And the beat goes on....
I am so very sorry for the loss of your fur baby. It is so hard to lose a dog. But the memories of the fun and unconditional love will help you heal. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Please tell your mom I wish her a Merry Christmas as well.
Merry Christmas, Thomas! I'm sorry for the loss of your family dog. I know Maisy lived her best life with your family.
Merry Christmas Thomas. So sorry about Sweet Maisie.
Thanks, Liz. I know this is a tough one without your Dad. I'm thinking about you, too.
Thomas Merry Christmas. Regret you lost Maisie. But I am giving you the gift of upgrading to founding.
Thanks, Mark.
You're welcome. You do an excellent job covering and commenting on NC politics. I hope Phil Berger and Paul Newby loose their NC SC Justice battle
So so sorry about Maisie! My dog Violet is 14 and while she seems to be ok for now she does have health issues. I just feel every day with her is a gift.
I am so sorry about Maisie. We lost two last summer. Kiwi was old and her body gave out but Luna started having grand Mal seizures and she couldn't survive them. It was so hard just 3 weeks apart. I know how it never gets easier, but I wouldn't not have a dog in my life. Keep trying to remember the joy you had with Maisie.
Thomas,
Thank you for your Christmas column. Your references to. your beloved pet brought tears to my eyes. I am such a canine lover. Dogs, I long have believed, are the surest sign to me that God exists.
We have lost two canines in recent years. My wife and I still grieve for the loss. We have yet to process the losse. We grieve for ourselves, I confess, not just for the deceased pets, Sabrina (golden retriever) and Lexy (mix).
Life has its compensations. Our older son, after we said repeatedly that we could not take the pain of possibly having another canine and losing them, ignored our pleas and went to neighboring West Virginia and purchased a Doberman puppy and brought it home and gave it to us.
We fell instantly In love with Tyson (our son named him!).
If is true that when one door or more, as with the death of our previous two dogs, closes that God opens another door, that surely is the case with Tyson. He enriches our life. His devotion to us is off the charts. We cannot imagine life without the big fellow.
Pardon my diversion and emotions, but thank you for your humanity, Thomas, your caring for living creatures, both two-legged and four-legged. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thomas, I’m so sorry. I hope you and your family can find solace in the memories and peace this season.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost one of my sweet dogs a week before Christmas a few years ago so I know the pain you are going through. It’s tough to have Christmas when you’re so sad.
As a faithful Durham-based reader, I appreciate this post immensely. My husband died in August from an aggressive cancer. The season of celebration requires tremendous energy while concurrently managing grief. Some years the holidays are more complicated than others. I wish your family peace.
Know that people care you are grieving.
Sending you love and peace. No sweet dog ever lives long enough. They open our hearts so that in their absence we may love even more. Peace to you, and thank you for all you do.
Thank you for the holiday cheer, Thomas. We'll toast Maisy as we enjoy our Wheaton, Daisy, again this sunny Christmas in LA.
It's going to be a rough four years for sure. But your insightful, honest, and defiant commentary will be part of what gets us thrpugh.
Our pets become significant family members.... When we lose them, then an emptiness and a fullness collide. And more moments in which we grapple with the impermanence of it all. And in that, the art of soul to lead us on. The richness of memories, ever bittersweet. Because we know we are more alive because we loved our pets and received back their love. Cheers to Maisy! And to your household in NC and in Sweden. And to connections you continue to strengthen through your writing. And the beat goes on....
So sorry for the loss of your pet, especially at Christmas. I hope you & your daughter's family will video chat so you can "see" each other. 💙
I am so very sorry for the loss of your fur baby. It is so hard to lose a dog. But the memories of the fun and unconditional love will help you heal. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Please tell your mom I wish her a Merry Christmas as well.
Very sweet Thomas. Made me cry❤️
Thanks, Ginny. I'm remembering all of our early Christmases in the neighborhood.
Merry Christmas to your mama and all the Mills family, Thomas.