I’ve been invited into your home a number times and Big Lou will always be a special part of how I remember feeling welcomed there. It was easy to see what an essential part of your family he was (and I suspect will remain even after his passing). Thanks for sharing your feelings like this. Sending you and your family hugs. I’m going to find a dog and I’m going to pet that dog and smile and think of Big Lou and remember - all dogs go to heaven.
In my novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I fictionalized the death of our dog, Oscar. In truth, I was ten years old when he got very sick. But we were a poor reservation family who couldn't afford to take him to the vet. He was in increasing levels of pain. We tried to comfort him but his pain kept growing. And, finally, he was in so much pain that my Dad's best friend came over and shot our dog, a mercy kill that wrecked our hearts. When people ask me about how poverty feels, I usually tell them Oscar's story.
Your story here wrecks me. It's a real life Old Yeller. These young traumas we endured, while maybe small to the outside world, likely pushed us into the arts. I wouldn't trade the painful memories of my youth for any amount of wealth or asset. Thank you for sharing this, Sherman🙏🏻
I can barely read through the flood of tears that ensued while looking at the photos and what you wrote here. Thank you for sharing this all with us. The pain I feel for the dog family members I've lost throughout my life is still raw every time I think of each of them.
I'm now wondering how Big Lou's little friend (the sweet little dog) from the photos is doing.
She’s doing okay. I think it really helped that both of the other dogs were in the room with us when he passed. That home vet end of life care was absolutely worth every penny.
I’ve been invited into your home a number times and Big Lou will always be a special part of how I remember feeling welcomed there. It was easy to see what an essential part of your family he was (and I suspect will remain even after his passing). Thanks for sharing your feelings like this. Sending you and your family hugs. I’m going to find a dog and I’m going to pet that dog and smile and think of Big Lou and remember - all dogs go to heaven.
Thank you, brother💙
In my novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I fictionalized the death of our dog, Oscar. In truth, I was ten years old when he got very sick. But we were a poor reservation family who couldn't afford to take him to the vet. He was in increasing levels of pain. We tried to comfort him but his pain kept growing. And, finally, he was in so much pain that my Dad's best friend came over and shot our dog, a mercy kill that wrecked our hearts. When people ask me about how poverty feels, I usually tell them Oscar's story.
That is indeed how poverty feels. Beyond heartbreaking.
Your story here wrecks me. It's a real life Old Yeller. These young traumas we endured, while maybe small to the outside world, likely pushed us into the arts. I wouldn't trade the painful memories of my youth for any amount of wealth or asset. Thank you for sharing this, Sherman🙏🏻
I can barely read through the flood of tears that ensued while looking at the photos and what you wrote here. Thank you for sharing this all with us. The pain I feel for the dog family members I've lost throughout my life is still raw every time I think of each of them.
I'm now wondering how Big Lou's little friend (the sweet little dog) from the photos is doing.
🙏🙏🙏
She’s doing okay. I think it really helped that both of the other dogs were in the room with us when he passed. That home vet end of life care was absolutely worth every penny.
I am so glad to hear this. I hope that I can afford it when that sad day arrives. :-(