by Andrea "slackermom" R.
Member since:
April 11, 2007

I Can't Believe I Cried

October 09, 2007 09:08 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 18

The neighbors are gone. They drove away in a big U-Haul with their car on a trailer behind it and two pain-in-the-ass dogs riding shotgun.

 

For close to five years I've been annoyed by those dogs and now they're gone.

I cried. I can't believe I cried.

I've saved them from the dogcatcher. I've saved them from traffic. I've refrained from killing them myself. I've broken into their house to put them inside out of the rain. I've fed and watered them when their people were out of town. I've been jumped on by them with muddy paws in my own back yard. And my front yard. They've stolen the food I put out for the feral cats. They murdered my pet opossum. They destroyed my fence. They barked during my favorite TV shows and too early in the morning. They crawled under the fence and stole my dog's toys. They came into my house and chased my cat. (Really, it was Ellynn's fault.)

Now they are on their way to Montana and I'll miss them.

Maybe I'm not as sour as I think I am. Or maybe I'm just nuts. 

 

Comments: 18

Maybe you'll miss them like you'll miss a sore throat? lol
Ina ♥ ♥ Oct 9, 2007, 9:17pm UTC
You're not nuts, sweetheart.

You took care of what was in need of your care taking. You worried about them when their owners never even gave them a thought. You were more human than their owners. Of course you cried.

I would have worried about you if you'd written that you were rejoicing instead.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Oct 9, 2007, 9:23pm UTC
Poor Andrea! You're probably worried about who will look after them now that you aren't around... I'd be worried, too! **sigh** With some things, we just have to "let go and let God...", I guess...
Sandy Knauer Oct 9, 2007, 9:31pm UTC
Andrea, I think I understand.

There were times when my daughter got on my nerves to the point I couldn't wait for her to go to bed. And then, when I went in later and saw her sleeping and innocent, I couldn't imagine feeling the way I had a few hours before. Your puppies are sleeping now.
Trish A. Oct 9, 2007, 10:21pm UTC
I guess when you put yourself out to care for another (even animal) you can't help but grow a little love for them.
Kris M. Oct 9, 2007, 10:33pm UTC
It's probably worry. You know those dogs were in much better hands having you next door than having these nimrods as their owners. Their next neighbor might be some vindictive type like me and call the dogcatcher every other day. (I love dogs, it's just that I'm a bad person at heart.)
shobna i. Oct 9, 2007, 11:31pm UTC
You expected you'd be relieved once you were free of them.

Similar to having to tend to a childlike, sick person. The belief, as long as the person is around, is that once we are free of them, our lives will be normal again.

And once they're gone, we miss all the abnormalcy, and suddenly we realise how much we loved them.

Though, I think you'll be back to normal and enjoying the life you had planned for in a short while.
I thought you were relieved that the whole family, dogs and all were gone at first.
You have a tender heart that you hide well.
Just an observation from your writing.{{{Andrea}}}
Gus , the one-eyed cat Oct 10, 2007, 4:24pm UTC
It's okay to be sad. We of the lower species need people to look out for us.
Ellynn (minor shoe minion) A. Oct 10, 2007, 4:31pm UTC
My fault???? Refresh my memory, dear friend. :) I think it's half worry about what you'll get next, half sadness at losing that bit of insanity you half look forward to to balance out your day, half wondering who'll watch those poor dogs now, and half bad at fractions.
Andrea "slackermom" R. Oct 10, 2007, 4:41pm UTC
Ellynn, do you remember the day that you came over and a dog followed you into the house? You thought it was my dog so you let it in. Then the fun began. It's been awhile so maybe you don't remember.
Kathy D. Oct 10, 2007, 10:01pm UTC
I cry at lots of stuff, too
Susan N. Oct 13, 2007, 3:27pm UTC
Aw, ya old softy!
jail is full of nuts people..

;)
Awww....you'll have to write those old dogs some letters & send them some of toys o ftheir own....so they don't go around terrorizing their new neighborhood!
necee t. Oct 18, 2007, 10:17pm UTC
it's okay to feel bad, but next week, you'll realize how peaceful it is now...
Roger Kiser, Sr Apr 4, 2008, 6:48pm UTC
I am putting together a book titled "Crossing the Rainbow Bridge" for people who have stories about their pets who have crossed over. It is very difficult for me to read many of the stories. It is absolutely heartbreaking.

If anyone knows anyone who might have a story they want to place in the book; please send me an e-mail and I will send them the information on the book. Or send them this link: http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive3/srv601.htm


Roger

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.