Year-End Thanks For All Things Illini

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#26      
uofi7477
1m4tr said:
Can we see pics of your dog?
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Thank you for asking! She is a Red Wheaten CAIRN TERRIER.
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#38      
altgeld88
Brosky said:
I lost my best friend 2 weeks ago. It just seems like I've lost so many over the years (that's life when you're as old as I am.). I still find myself reaching for the phone every time something I deem important about the beloved occurs. Including remarks found on this forum. So on this Christmas day I'm still grrieving. I pray each day he's watching from the other side.
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I'm so profoundly sorry to hear of your loss, and hope that you have the company of friends, family and memories of him to comfort you. You're in my prayers. I don't use the words "gratitude" or "love" casually. They're crucial to life and I hope they slowly wear away the sharp edges of your grief, my brother. I was talking to my 20-year-old daughter last month about grief, as her grandmother has slipped away into dementia. It's the eventual price of loving someone, and proportional to the richness of what we lose. I don't intend to suggest that it's of much comfort to you today. It just reminds me of the cost of living fully.

Stevegarbs said:
Happy birthday- mine is the 26th so I know they get lost this time of year!
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As was mine. And Carlton Fisk's, FWIW! Hope it was a good one. Entering my 60th year. It all passes too quickly.

As for dogs, this was mine (initial two photos below). Beagle/Jack Russell/spaniel shelter mongrel. The sweetest creature on earth. Sadie's birthday was yesterday, too. Six years old. My ex-wife kept her after we separated 2-1/2 years ago. On Sunday my ex will move to Tennessee (Knoxville, to teach at UT of all places) and I won't see much of Sadie anymore. Spent a lovely three days with her last weekend.

So, in a small way, loss and grief have been on my mind for a while this year. My partner lost her 16-year old beagle, Lucas (second set of photos below), in early September. I went back to her place late Saturday evening having watched our thrilling victory over Kansas, and Lucas could no longer raise himself off the floor, nor were the pain meds for his inoperable tumor any longer effective. We tried to comfort him until around 2 a.m. and then took him to the animal hospital to put him to sleep. I'd known him for only a year but it gutted me. He was such a sweet boy. I miss stroking his long, soft ears.

Every year around this time I'm particularly attentive to giving thanks for all I enjoy. This year it has been poignant.

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#39      
Genesis
That's the great thing about Loyalty. You never know what you're going to get. Today it's a dog named Ralph and a cat with an Illinois sweater. Happy New Year, and thanks to Dan and everyone that contributes to the entertainment.
 
#42      
AZILL
My Ms Belle. The best travel companion ever! She has done many a road trip with me AZ-IL over the years. I'm no longer blessed with her presense and it's been a few years. Just haven't been ready or willing to move on yet.
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#49      
Brosky
Absolutely agree. When is the last time you saw a seeing eye cat or a mine-sniffing cat on the field of battle?
 
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