Condolences To Rio And Family
“I never know what to say at a time like this,” Bernie says.
“Me either,” says Spence. “You can say they’ll all be together again one day, or the departed one is in a better place, but lots of people don’t believe that.”
“And lots of people who say they believe it actually don’t, not deep down,” says Admin.
“So what’s the answer?” says Bernie. They pass the bourbon around.
“‘Sorry for your loss’ sounds so lame,” Spence says.
“It’s not lame,” Admin says. “There’s acknowledgment of loss, and you’re sharing, if in a much smaller way, the feeling. It’s always appreciated and remembered – don’t forget the consciousness of the bereaved is often elevated. They’re so painfully aware of how it feels to be alive.”
“Okay then,” Bernie says. “Sorry for your loss it is.”
They clink glasses. “But people do live on in memory,” Spence says.
“That’s something, at least,” says Admin.
“Here’s to memory.”
Clink.
“To memory.”
This entry was posted on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at 8:52 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
4:02 am on June 19th, 2010
Wow!
Spencer and Admin: You are Good.
Rio and Friend: Here's to memories.
4:04 am on June 19th, 2010
Oh…
And to Bernie: You are Really Good.
I was reading every word due to some kind of moisture in my eyes.
4:48 am on June 19th, 2010
Choke!… I read today’s post and I knew I had to share it with Her… snort!… I usually don’t let her read what I get up to out here on Chet’s blog… sniff!…Well, that was a huge mistake ….wheeze!… I didn’t think she had any more water left in her, but the flood gates are open again…sob!… I don’t know what to do at a time like this except say, “Thank you. Thank you so much for thinking of us and our family.” …sniffle
5:22 am on June 19th, 2010
A beautiful post. Rio and friend: To memories. B
5:41 am on June 19th, 2010
Grandma!… We are going to walk over to where grandma is living and take her outside in the fresh air… snort!…She is taking the loss of her son-inlaw very hard… sniff!… It’s a long walk and we should be driving over there in my opinion…grumble!… But someone is set on making me suffer today one way or another… sputter!… I will be back later if I survive…grunt!
5:59 am on June 19th, 2010
We didn't get to ready the posts last night due to heavy winds and storms in the area, so we didn't know about Rio's friend's dad until this morning.
We join the group in expressing our sadness over you loss. And we share in the toast to wonderful memories. Thank you, Bernie, Admin and Spencer for a beautifully written piece.
6:00 am on June 19th, 2010
Sorry, that should be read not ready.
6:25 am on June 19th, 2010
Rio, I'm so sorry for your loss. This post made me cry just now, and Megan, and some of Mommy. Hang in there, Pug. I saw a Pug yesterday, too, that made me think of you. Well, thinking of you always.
Tailwags and licks. Lexi-a pup who cried(if you call it crying), and who's paw is getting better.
7:01 am on June 19th, 2010
Great, moving post today by Spence It is appreciated by all of us. I think that when people say, "sorry for your loss", we are really trying to say that we care about you and what you are going through.
7:10 am on June 19th, 2010
Rio, if I were there, I could pull you in a little wagon to visit grandma and back home again.
7:55 am on June 19th, 2010
Sniff!… You guys are the best blog friends a guy could have….snuffle!…I know the reason I found this place was to get me through some difficult times…snort!… It does help to know there are others out there that care about me and my friend…cough!… Even though we’ve never met face to face it seems like we are old friends…wheeze!
Paws!… My paws are killing me!…snort!… That long walk was too much….crap!…I just want to lie in my bed and sleep forever but now we are leaving to go check on her mother…grunt!…Her mom is sort of in a tizzy this morning and needs someone to talk to…wheeze!
8:26 am on June 19th, 2010
Wolfie: PPD stands for post-partum depression.
Melanie: How are Grace and the pups doing today?
Rio and Lexi: I hope paws mend soon.
10:09 am on June 19th, 2010
Mom!… Well, I think she got her mom to calm down a little and not fret over all the stuff she needs to do…grunt!… Dad did not want a service and he did not want to have to pay for feeding a bunch of people who never came to visit him….snort!… He was sort of like Grampy, and had it up to here with a lot of things and people… heh!… So my friend suggested they go up the hill to the casinos and spend some of dad’s money …snicker!…Her mom laughed so hard she couldn’t breath. Probably because dad was very tight with his money and the thought that the first thing mom does is go gamble with it really tickled her funny bone… heh!
10:15 am on June 19th, 2010
Shows!… We are watching Dogs 101 because there will be a bit about Siberian Huskies…snort!…We found out there is a new show starting tonight on the Animal Planet channel called, ‘Last Chance Highway’….wheeze!… Its about these people who go to great extents to rescue dogs… grunt!… It might be a good show, although it might also be a tear jerker too…sniff!
11:14 am on June 19th, 2010
First. . .
Riö and friends. We drink to memory.
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1276978431-IMG_1128.JPG[/img]
11:23 am on June 19th, 2010
Whoops, Riö, that's Bess drinking to your friend's dad's memory
Second . . . We never thought we would have to force feed a Newfoundland. These dogs are vacuum cleaners, but Gracie????
I just started crying last night, she was so listless and NOT eating. No temperature, no pain. So . . I figured out we could put food in a blender with water, liquify the food, put it in a bottle and up end it down her throat. So we did. We did it once last night and twice today.
She has a little more energy and when all the dogs saw the new pool (see above) she got in and played a bit. We were so happy.
She ate a little canned food after that. If we still have to force feed her we will, but we prefer not to. She needs food to produce milk.
She loves the puppies, so that is good.
Here she is in the pool.
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1276979012-IMG_1132.JPG[/img]
11:31 am on June 19th, 2010
Melanie!… I knew that was my Bess!…Hey!…Her top-notch is growing out!… sniff!…Thanks for drinking to Memories for us….sniff!…Sometimes that’s all you have left. Oh and tons of photos.
Gracie!… Force Feed?…. cough!… I do not know that concept… sneeze!… Which reminds me, I am hungry!… grunt!
12:23 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rio – Mom and I are having a drink to memories. Mom is having bourbon, something about that's what she has to drink for this occasion, and I, tee hee, got a very small bowl of beer. Sammie is here with us and we're making her drink water 'cause she's too little.
12:40 pm on June 19th, 2010
It's a good sign that Gracie is enjoying the pool. It makes mom want to go out and buy one, for her, not me.
Keep us posted, Melanie. We are all cheering for Grace and want her to get back to normal.
12:53 pm on June 19th, 2010
Snort!… I don’t know how Admin, Spence and Bernie knew, but that’s exactly what her dad would have wanted everyone to do, have a good strong drink in his memory ….grunt!… Everyday at 3:00 he would make himself a drink of Vodka and Seven-Up…heh!… “Lets have a little snort!” he would say….cough!… He would never drink much more unless there was one of our infamous poker games going on… snicker! …Then he would have a few more snorts… heh!… Aunt Barb and Aunt Lily were always in on those games….ha!…Talk about laughing till you thought you would explode… heh!heh!
12:56 pm on June 19th, 2010
I researched post-partum depression in dogs on the internet but there isn't much of anything helpful. Are the puppies still too small to let in the other Newfs? I'm wondering if Grace wants her regular schedule and her regular buddies back. You guys know best.
Just watched my favorite episode of Warehouse 13–"Duped"–which is On Demand. Now I'll be singing the Jefferson Airplanes' White Rabbit song for about a week.
1:12 pm on June 19th, 2010
GRACE ATE ALL BY HERSELF!!
Thank goodness. Hope this continues.
Siber-H: Come on, even Patsy got in the pool (the shallow end because the yard is not level) and she hates the water. In fact, Patsy does water rescue work by NOT letting anyone in the water. I guess it saves time.
B. Stover, The other Newfs are not allowed in until they are much older and then only one at at time.
Franklin had such a good time in the pool he rough housed with Katie and Rose, they had a blast. It's a good thing the pool is only $25.
Riö, it sounds like quite a family!
1:20 pm on June 19th, 2010
I'm glad Grace ate by herself. That's a good sign. Would the other Newfs accidently hurt the puppies?
Rio: Your friend's dad sounds like he was a lot of fun.
There are baby sparrows in the garden who don't seem to understand why they can't fly through the doorwall. Their mom feeds them in whatever awkward position they find themselves.
1:34 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rio – Mom tips her glass of diet Dr. Pepper to your friend's dad's memory. (Bee – are all the apostrwhatever call them in the right places?)
I don't know know if anyone here has read Randy Pauch's book "The Last Lecture", but, he said something about "whenever someone you love dies, a piece of you goes with them." It was really quite beautiful.
I am so glad that Gracie finally ate on her own! I am worried about her.
Melanie: I wanna come live at your house!! Your dogs get tents and swimming pools. I only get Chicken Jerky treats, but now we are OUT. They are gone! The bag is empty! Nada. No Chicken Jerky treats for WW of the WWW, and mom is doing what? Taking a nap, that's what!! This calls for an emergency trip to Costco.
Like, right now!!
To Spence, Admin, and Bernie: well said. To Chet: Well written.
Rio's friend has had an extremely difficult year, with many losses. I am glad that Rio is there for you. He is the best!!
1:41 pm on June 19th, 2010
SiberH!…On Dogs 101 they showed Huskies swimming in a pool!…snort!…So your fear is not hereditary…heh!… When you get that new pool, try the shallow end like Patsy does!….sneeze!
1:42 pm on June 19th, 2010
A Newf that hates the water!…Patsy. She must be my soul mate in the Newf breed, Melanie.
GOOD GIRL, GRACIE You have to keep your strength up, so keep eating.
1:51 pm on June 19th, 2010
All Right now, Melanie and Rio…You guys are giving my mom ideas. She is thinking she will go to Walmart tomorrow and get a pool like the Newfs have. She actually doesn't know if I will or won't go in it, and I am not saying. To be continued…….
1:53 pm on June 19th, 2010
Unbelievable! … heh!… You guys are not going to believe this but my friend just got a phone call from her mom and she decided gambling away some of dad’s money was not a bad idea at all… snicker!… So my friend, her mom and her brother and his wife are going up to Central City or Black Hawk next Wednesday….snort!…Apparently, her brother was having a hard day today and thought that was an awesome idea. It cheered him up…heh!… The best thing is her mom is in a very good mood too tonight because of this little plan…sneeze! … Who knew? Sometimes my friend comes up with the damnedest things and they work out… heh!
2:06 pm on June 19th, 2010
I think that is a really good idea, Rio. I'm sure your family and your friend's mom went through a heck of a lot before your dad passed away. There are no words to express what people go through during times like that. Now, it it time to totally relax and enjoy life with a trip like that. This makes a whole lot more sense to me than putting the money into a fancy service, especially since your dad didn't want that. Mom and I are into doing doing what works for us, not what is traditional.
2:14 pm on June 19th, 2010
SiberH!…I too think it is a good idea!…snort!…Her dad did like to go up the hill now and then and play Black Jack…grunt!…So it is kind of fitting that they go on this trip…cough!… They all need a break for sure and the fact that her mom found $$’s stashed away that dad didn’t tell her about makes it all the more fun!…snicker!… I just wish I could go along, but casinos are funny about letting Pugs into the gaming rooms… wheeze!!
2:32 pm on June 19th, 2010
I wonder if your friend could pass you off as a therapy or assistance dog, Rio. Mom has been tempted to try that at times with me, but she says I would blow it.
2:42 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rio, you could go to the casino as a therapy dog, honestly. You just need the little coat and they let you right in.
2:56 pm on June 19th, 2010
Really!… What do these little Therapy suits look like?… wow!… Maybe grandma could whip me up one and I would be on my way to a gambling addiction… heh!…Then lil Lexi would be all over me again…snorkel!…I don’t think I could pull the ‘therapy’ part off either SiberH!…heh!
Stover!… There is a show On Demand that is called, “Down the Wormhole”…wow!…I just happened upon it and it is so interesting I thought of you and I think you may want to give it a look-see…wheeze!… I cannot think of the actors name who narrates it, but he played God in a movie I can’t remember the name of and he played a detective in the movie called, “Seven”. And he was in a movie called, “The Bucket List”… grrrrrr!… It’s on the tip of my tongue….wheeze!… ANYWAY, he narrates this show and we are finding it fascinating so far… gasp!…Although, the Rockies game will be on shortly, so we will have to save the program for later… heh!
2:59 pm on June 19th, 2010
Stover!…’Through the Wormhole’ narrated by Morgan Freeman… sigh!
3:02 pm on June 19th, 2010
Riö, you could have your grandma fix up a coat that says "Official Taster."
Then your friend could just put you right on the buffet table!
3:04 pm on June 19th, 2010
Does anyone know how Staff and Kats are? I think they were going to WI and I think there were some bad storms there last night.
3:12 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rio. I think you are thinking of Morgan Freeman. You know, a swamp vest might pass for a therapy suit.Kind of the Superman's cape sort of fashion statement if you know what I mean. They are not too smart at casinos anyway. I'd lend you mine,but I think it would be a bit big for you. Wookie
3:15 pm on June 19th, 2010
Wow!… “Official Taster”! I like that a lot!…snort!snort!… Ohhhh Grandma …..grunt!… We have not heard anything from Staff lately, I know Alice and Abbie are home with some guy checking in on them… wheeze!… I hope his name is not Julian Sawyer… shudder!
3:21 pm on June 19th, 2010
Wookie!…Thanks but I’m zoning in on the “Official Taster” idea… snort!… What a great idea. I could be ON the buffet table and no one, and I mean NO ONE could lay a hand on me and push me off…heh!…Well, maybe there is one person who would… mmmm…I need a face mask too!…cough!… One that looks like Bobby Flay…heh!
3:22 pm on June 19th, 2010
Gracie. Glad that your appetite is returning. Ask for more ice cream. Roast turkey is also really yummy, and it makes your poop smell really good too!!! Looks like you were having a good time in the pool. It's been real hot here in Chevy Chase, but when I took another semi-unauthorized plunge in Rock Creek earlier this week, I got subjected to another bath. Yuck. Your friend, Wookie
3:45 pm on June 19th, 2010
Poop!…Who knew Wookie was a Poop connoisseur!… wow!…Agent Wookie is trained in many specialized fields though, some I still do not know about… snort!
3:49 pm on June 19th, 2010
Yeep!… Whoa! There was a great big thunder sound right over our house!… snort!.. Suddenly its really dark and scary out again…sniff! sniff!… We didn’t notice the weather changing because we are watching the Rockies play (1 –0 Rocks top of the 3rd)… yeep!growl
3:50 pm on June 19th, 2010
Mom also got the bourbon out for some reason tonight. She is making a toast to Rio and his friend and family. She is glad we are all friends, and she got a little teary when she read some of the posts today. I think she was thinking back to her mom and her time of passing.
3:57 pm on June 19th, 2010
Wookie!…While you are here, on behalf of me and my friend, I want to thank you so very much for that lovely prayer you said last night for us… sniff!… You are truly a good friend to both of us… snorkel!…And we treasure our friends.
4:02 pm on June 19th, 2010
Barb! MagPie! …Please do have a toast to our dad and to your mom!…sniff!… We The Living have to remember to take advantage of every moment we are given on this great earth… snort!
4:06 pm on June 19th, 2010
Thanks, Rio. I'll check it out. Right now I'm watching Doctor Who, who is in big trouble at the moment.
I think staff said they were going to one of the Dakotas.
4:47 pm on June 19th, 2010
SiberH!…Are you stricken with fear just imagining that pool showing up on your back yard??… snort!… I sure wish you guys could get some photos up on this here blog for us!…grunt! … I would love to see your expression when the pool is all set up and you are staring at it…heh!heh!
Rocks!… Its 1 – 1 tied in the top of the 6th…drat!
5:11 pm on June 19th, 2010
I may not be staring at it, Rio. I may not even look at it. We are suppose to have a high of 97 tomorrow, so Mom can get her money's worth and wade in it. Mom bought a pool for her female Siberian (before my time) and the dog laid in the shade and watched mom play in the pool. I can see how this could prove to be entertaining.
This is a slow baseball game. I don't care as long as the Rockies win.
5:12 pm on June 19th, 2010
Thanks, Rio. Good night, all. Clink. To Memories. Clink.
5:13 pm on June 19th, 2010
Nevermind about this being a slow game. This is not good.
Good night Barb and Maggie
5:20 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rocks!…They are blowing it out their nose again!…grumble!… I swear! They have the freakin’ talent, they are just not mentally there right now…sigh…But, it is baseball and things can change very quickly… heh!.. That’s why we love it!
5:25 pm on June 19th, 2010
Crap!… The 7th inning was a tad hurtful for us…sigh… 4 – 1 Brewers… grrrrr!
5:36 pm on June 19th, 2010
Hey!… Now it is tied at 4 – 4… heh!…See SiberH! Things can still change… It is bottom of the 7th and we are loving it!…snort!
5:44 pm on June 19th, 2010
Toenail chewing time, Rio GO ROCKIES!!!
5:50 pm on June 19th, 2010
I'm back home from Mollypop's and we have no TV. How did people live before this? What did they do? I need my Animal Planet programs.
5:52 pm on June 19th, 2010
SiberH!… I am gnawing on her best couch cover as we speak!…heh!…. She hasn’t noticed yet for some reason…chomp!chomp!
6:00 pm on June 19th, 2010
Rio! Don't gnaw on couches! I've learned my lesson-but on wooden chairs. I kept getting splinters and coughing and choking. I don't want you to choke! Stop eating it!
Right now my house is going bonkers. Apparently, there's some festival where we live, and they're all going to it, but they're not allowed to bring me, for some COMPLETELY DUMB reason. I'm home all alone with nothing to do, and it's getting hotter everyday, and it's starting to piss me off. Everytime they coe home, they got something special, and Megan always gets sunburned and complains about it. I didn't know what it was at first, and when I got real close…I scratched it. Man, did she scream at me. I know what it is now.
My paw is getting better. Hell, I think it's fine now! How's yours doing, Rio?
Watching a scary movie right now called Mirrors with Megan. Caution: I may lose my hearing again.
Well, tailwags and licks. Lexi-a pup who's….got nothing to say for this part right now, so, a pup who's just a pup. 😛
6:01 pm on June 19th, 2010
Sammie!… How come you have no TV?… what the Hell!… snort!… What is going on over there? Were you robbed?… grunt!…Call 999 or 119 or 191… or sumthing!…sniff!…You Poor Thing!…sob!
6:05 pm on June 19th, 2010
😛
6:06 pm on June 19th, 2010
Hey! … It worked!…heh! 😛
6:08 pm on June 19th, 2010
Mom was gonna put my eyedrops in now. I said, NOT NOW…the bases are loaded with no outs.
You can't live like that, Sam, you really can't…NO TV!!!
6:11 pm on June 19th, 2010
Lexi!…My paws are killing me!…sputter!… I am not going on any more hiking trips to grandmas ever again dammit!…snort!… I’d be in bed if it wasn’t for the Rockies tied game and… OHHH!…Rockies just scored!!! Gruff!… It is 5-4 Rockies…heh!
6:14 pm on June 19th, 2010
WOO WOO
6:17 pm on June 19th, 2010
I shouldn't have given Rio the idea of using :P. He's going to overdue it now. Ah, what the hell. Have at it, Rio!! 🙂 😛 😛 😛 🙂
6:19 pm on June 19th, 2010
Lexi!… Pups you gotta luv em!… Lets try the new one… 🙂
6:19 pm on June 19th, 2010
My paws hurt but I don't care! 🙂 These things are really cute, right? I cannot be the only one that thinks this. 😛 🙂 WEE!!
6:20 pm on June 19th, 2010
🙂 😛 🙂 Are there any more?
6:20 pm on June 19th, 2010
Lexi!…Do you have a Pissed Off one??? … snort!… Please say yes!
6:21 pm on June 19th, 2010
Chet! Everybody! Join the fun! WEE!!
6:22 pm on June 19th, 2010
This is a great way to brighten up all our moods. I mean, I would DIE if I had not TV here. Well, I mean siqbwNEWInnek
6:24 pm on June 19th, 2010
Sorry, Megan just screamed right there and it FREAKED the hell out of me!! Gah!! What is that lady doing climbing the walls and screeching??!!
Rio! Here's the pissed off one! 🙂 No, this one: 🙁 or maybe -_- I don't know these so very well, but, it's worth a shot, I guess.
6:25 pm on June 19th, 2010
Chewin’… Top of the 9th, 2 outs, Rock ahead!… chomp!chomp!
6:27 pm on June 19th, 2010
I will be sooo glad when this inning is over with.
6:28 pm on June 19th, 2010
Lexi!…You have brightened my day 🙂 ….snort!…Thank you so much.. Pug Nips!!!
6:30 pm on June 19th, 2010
Well, I'm going to hit the hay right now with Megan. She said that we'll be able to see the rest tomorrow, and she's getting kind of tired. And I may be overusing the 🙂 😛 and 🙁 things. Oh, wow, that was a big yawn, Night all! Night Chet and Bernie and Spencer and Admin and Rio and Sam and Wookie and Wolfie and…pant…pant…and…MollyPop and…Melanie…and…I'm just going to leave now.
Tailwags and licks. Lexi-a panting pup.
6:31 pm on June 19th, 2010
You're welcome Rio!! 🙂 Ha! Tailwags and licks to you! Bark Bye!
6:38 pm on June 19th, 2010
NOOO!…The Brewers are within one run and the bases are loaded… NOOOO!…grunt!…All we need is one more OUT!…please!
6:42 pm on June 19th, 2010
Aaawww!…Siberh! Do you have any toenails left at all???…chomp!chomp!…The cough cover is in tatters… grunt!
6:46 pm on June 19th, 2010
:):):):):):):):):):) … Guess who won!…snort!snort!
6:47 pm on June 19th, 2010
I have no toenails left. I am getting sleepy. This is a long inning.
6:48 pm on June 19th, 2010
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 :)… Now guess who won!…gruff!
6:50 pm on June 19th, 2010
WHEW…that was a good game and I'll be generous and say that both teams gave it their all. I'll sleep a lot better knowing the Rockies won.
6:52 pm on June 19th, 2010
Good Night, Rio…we are the only ones left. See you tomorrow.
Good Night PUPPIES Gracie, you keep eating!
7:09 pm on June 19th, 2010
Oops!
I missed a word on my post this morning. I meant to say I was reading every OTHER word…oh well.
Staff was traveling from North Dakota to Montana yesterday so she would not have gone through those bad storms.
Melanie: Hope Gracie keeps eating. Maybe feeding 12 puppies is just taking every bit of her energy and she has none left to feed herself. How long does she have to nurse those Greedy Guts?
7:17 pm on June 19th, 2010
Wow!…That was by far the most exciting game so far this season!…woo!…What a day it has been all in all….snort!… I want to take this time to thank Admin, Spencer and Bernie for thinking of us again today. Your post is so very special to us. We will definitely be keeping it forever…cough! … I know I can speak for both of us when I say all three of you guys, plus Chet, are very special to us… sniff!… The last two books my dad was able to read before his eyes became too blurry were ‘Dog On It’ and ‘Thereby Hangs A Tail’….sniff! … After each book he said, “That Chet is some dog!” Then he would laugh….heh!…The only other dog he said that about was Cassie The Butt Sniffing Dog….sneeze!… Well, there is a whole story behind that and we will share it one day, but right now we are too tired to stay up.
Hey!… Me and my friend are going to the farm tomorrow to see her best friend and my best friend, Pepper!…heh!…There will be horses to agitate…snicker! …Good night all, puggish nips to all!…Thank you again for being there for us when we definitely needed your support and love. We love you guys too!…gruff!
7:25 pm on June 19th, 2010
It is just after 11:00 pm here at the Librarian's home (Mountain time) and she and I are both in the tiny dining room playing on our computers. The guys are playing with computers in the living room. 4 computers going at once.
We do occasionally talk to each other.
~Rio, I am sorry for your loss. (thanks Admin.) I hope that soon the good memories will overwhelm the sadness.
I have to go and read the rest of yesterday and today's blog, but I just wanted to touch base and let everyone know we had arrived safely.
Staff
11:14 pm on June 19th, 2010
Crime!… I think Sammie was robbed but I’m not sure….snort!…We need Stover to figure this whole thing out!…grunt!…. OHHHH! Now it is 7 – 4 Rockies! …WOOOOO!…clapping here, clapping here!!!!!