I love the dog more...it's official...
Late stage optimist
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 306
Happy new year, inahaze:
My dogs taught me most or all of what I now know about unconditional love. They never had a harsh word or look for me no matter how badly I behaved toward them. After some years of companionship I learned what it means to be tolerant and have restraint toward them and people (well, most people) when I don't like what they are doing. I would rather have a dog as a companion. The emotional investment yields a 400% return.
On the other hand, with humans we can't project anywhere near that healthy a return. It is still worth it to have relationships with our human partners. But if they have addictions, it is better to withdraw the investment until they are out of their personal recession.
We just put down our last Dalmatian on December 1st. She was my best friend, had been with me almost my entire 14 1/2 years of recovery. She was with me through all the best times and worst times of my adult life. I would not have survived those times the same without her. I miss my dogs.
My dogs taught me most or all of what I now know about unconditional love. They never had a harsh word or look for me no matter how badly I behaved toward them. After some years of companionship I learned what it means to be tolerant and have restraint toward them and people (well, most people) when I don't like what they are doing. I would rather have a dog as a companion. The emotional investment yields a 400% return.
On the other hand, with humans we can't project anywhere near that healthy a return. It is still worth it to have relationships with our human partners. But if they have addictions, it is better to withdraw the investment until they are out of their personal recession.
We just put down our last Dalmatian on December 1st. She was my best friend, had been with me almost my entire 14 1/2 years of recovery. She was with me through all the best times and worst times of my adult life. I would not have survived those times the same without her. I miss my dogs.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Stumbling toward happiness
Posts: 4,706
Toward the end of our relationship, my XABF put his foot down and shouted, "You have to choose: it's me or the dog."
(It was his way of controlling how much happiness I was allowed to have - my dog brought me a lot of joy, and was no trouble at all to any living soul)
Guess which one was still in my bed a year later, chasing rabbits in his sleep?
My motto here: A's need to watch out what they ask for...they might just get it
(It was his way of controlling how much happiness I was allowed to have - my dog brought me a lot of joy, and was no trouble at all to any living soul)
Guess which one was still in my bed a year later, chasing rabbits in his sleep?
My motto here: A's need to watch out what they ask for...they might just get it
Wipe your paws elsewhere!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,672
its hard to think of him as human, he deserves no respect from anyone
Perhaps I am being overly sensitive today.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 4,290
Originally Posted by FormerDoormat 
This is very disheartening to read. I try my best to always remember that there's a human behind the disease. Every person deserves respect.
Originally Posted by FormerDoormat
I don't think you're being overly sensitive, Barb. I appreciate humor, too, but not at the expense of others. That's when it gets uncomfortable for me.
Thanks. Jokes always are at someone's expense. Always.
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