such a gorgeous essay ~ thank you for sharing! iām not sure our animals can ever understand the ways they take care of their humans, and what a privilege it is to care for them in return.
i wrote about how one of my dogs held me through the longest night of my divorce here:
Leslie's essay left me with a lump in my throatāit's so beautifully written, and it also happens to mirror my experience navigating divorce and cat co-parenting with my ex.
The moments where Leslie explores the pain of deciding whether to stay or go, and the details of pet handoffs between former spouses, were especially poignant and totally familiar to me. Thank you for featuring this story, Jane. ā¤ļø
So many things about this post made me swoon. First of all ā that photo of little Toast! I was not prepared. And of course, this beautiful essay. My almost-sixteen-year-old dog has been with me through breakups, moves, job changes, loss...they are the very best buddies. I have never found the right language to describe this kind of soul connection. The word "dog" doesn't do it justice. "Pet" doesn't come anywhere close. No word does.
Loved this essay so much. I adopted my own pandemic pup in March of 2020, and then moved into my own apartment a few months later. I'd never lived alone before, so Gizmo definitely helped me figure it all out! Coincidentally, today is our last day in our little apartment before we move in with my partner and his dog (and kids!). I'm glad to have Gizmo by my side for all the big stuff!
I'm not a dog owner, but am so on board with the power of animals! Story - I talked to the mom of a good friend of mine, a few years after that mom's husband had died. She was in her 80s and beyond herself, not knowing what to do. So, to keep her company, my friend bought her mom a dog. Her mom (in her 90s at this point) told me, "That dog saved my life. And has every day since I got her."
This made me cry - dogs really do have such power to help us through the most insane and difficult parts of life and they don't even realize it. They are such selfless characters who always act rooted in the foundation of LOVE first and foremost. I got my dog during a breakup period and she has been everythign to my. My sister, who I share this substack with, got her dog when she moved to a new city with her boyfriend and they knew no one.
Both of our dogs encouraged us to get out of the house during difficult, scary and lonely times helping us overcome so much. Sunny brings a sense of routine that isn't only comforting, but also incredibly healthy and motivating. I can't imagine mornings or life without her now. She's also taught me an insane amount of patience :). A short love letter to Sunny below if you want to check it out!
This was such a sweet, heartfelt essay. Reminded me at times of my dog Gus, also rescued as a very small puppy. They are the best, such an important part of our lives. š
I love everything about the story. I love the level of honesty, and Connection can come from sharing your life with an animal. Not that long ago I was just a guy trying to train dogs, now, I find myself teaching at the Graduate School, Social Work, regularly, going to events hosted by the governor, and in the homes of major CEOs and athletes all because of my love of dogs and learning about their complex behaviors, and helping people to better understand them.
This is such a beautiful touching story ā¤ļø My two cats came into my life as I was journeying through infertility. In many ways they saved me when I fell into a deep dark hole. The older one is very intuitive, knows instantly if I'm upset, stays close and will often curl up with a paw on my heart. The younger one is playful, bouncy and mischievous and quite literally the 'baby' of the household. They are every bit as important as any other relationship in my life...
What a beautiful essay. My dog Ryder is a huge Bernese mountain dog and is my constant companion. Heās been the best therapy during these past two years of difficulty. I can totally relate to this one.
Had a deep thought literally yesterday that they guys life either about raise a dog or raised by a dog - about the sad topic of divorce, was already described (not that much in details) in this Book 2 and its appendix but true some topic(s) just perfect for permeant themes in all the creations š
Nobody died. Why am I crying?
such a gorgeous essay ~ thank you for sharing! iām not sure our animals can ever understand the ways they take care of their humans, and what a privilege it is to care for them in return.
i wrote about how one of my dogs held me through the longest night of my divorce here:
https://narrativethreads.substack.com/p/for-the-love-of-dog-3f0
Leslie's essay left me with a lump in my throatāit's so beautifully written, and it also happens to mirror my experience navigating divorce and cat co-parenting with my ex.
The moments where Leslie explores the pain of deciding whether to stay or go, and the details of pet handoffs between former spouses, were especially poignant and totally familiar to me. Thank you for featuring this story, Jane. ā¤ļø
So many things about this post made me swoon. First of all ā that photo of little Toast! I was not prepared. And of course, this beautiful essay. My almost-sixteen-year-old dog has been with me through breakups, moves, job changes, loss...they are the very best buddies. I have never found the right language to describe this kind of soul connection. The word "dog" doesn't do it justice. "Pet" doesn't come anywhere close. No word does.
Loved this essay so much. I adopted my own pandemic pup in March of 2020, and then moved into my own apartment a few months later. I'd never lived alone before, so Gizmo definitely helped me figure it all out! Coincidentally, today is our last day in our little apartment before we move in with my partner and his dog (and kids!). I'm glad to have Gizmo by my side for all the big stuff!
I'm not a dog owner, but am so on board with the power of animals! Story - I talked to the mom of a good friend of mine, a few years after that mom's husband had died. She was in her 80s and beyond herself, not knowing what to do. So, to keep her company, my friend bought her mom a dog. Her mom (in her 90s at this point) told me, "That dog saved my life. And has every day since I got her."
This made me cry - dogs really do have such power to help us through the most insane and difficult parts of life and they don't even realize it. They are such selfless characters who always act rooted in the foundation of LOVE first and foremost. I got my dog during a breakup period and she has been everythign to my. My sister, who I share this substack with, got her dog when she moved to a new city with her boyfriend and they knew no one.
Both of our dogs encouraged us to get out of the house during difficult, scary and lonely times helping us overcome so much. Sunny brings a sense of routine that isn't only comforting, but also incredibly healthy and motivating. I can't imagine mornings or life without her now. She's also taught me an insane amount of patience :). A short love letter to Sunny below if you want to check it out!
https://open.substack.com/pub/mishmosh/p/the-power-of-sunny?r=2qxr32&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This was such a sweet, heartfelt essay. Reminded me at times of my dog Gus, also rescued as a very small puppy. They are the best, such an important part of our lives. š
I love everything about the story. I love the level of honesty, and Connection can come from sharing your life with an animal. Not that long ago I was just a guy trying to train dogs, now, I find myself teaching at the Graduate School, Social Work, regularly, going to events hosted by the governor, and in the homes of major CEOs and athletes all because of my love of dogs and learning about their complex behaviors, and helping people to better understand them.
This is such a beautiful touching story ā¤ļø My two cats came into my life as I was journeying through infertility. In many ways they saved me when I fell into a deep dark hole. The older one is very intuitive, knows instantly if I'm upset, stays close and will often curl up with a paw on my heart. The younger one is playful, bouncy and mischievous and quite literally the 'baby' of the household. They are every bit as important as any other relationship in my life...
What a beautiful essay. My dog Ryder is a huge Bernese mountain dog and is my constant companion. Heās been the best therapy during these past two years of difficulty. I can totally relate to this one.
Gosh, this is so beautiful! And now I want to subscribe to Morning Person!
This is a beautiful piece, thank you. Also, when we can meet Toast, please? My Bodhi (mascot) and Hannah (cat) saw his photos and are in love.
To answer your question about dogs, this might interest you.
https://heftymatters.substack.com/p/ode-to-phoebe-an-exceptional-friend
What a moving, beautifully written essay. I love how Toast is depicted.
Had a deep thought literally yesterday that they guys life either about raise a dog or raised by a dog - about the sad topic of divorce, was already described (not that much in details) in this Book 2 and its appendix but true some topic(s) just perfect for permeant themes in all the creations š
I once had a dog named Lady. Lady was an abused and abandoned Basset Hound whose whose pathetic condition caused me to provide her with shelter.