The End of my Childhood

Peyton Manning

Im not sure if this is the appropriate forum, but Id just like to share something. I always loved my dog - i got her when I was about 3 or 4. Im 18 now, and she's survived all this time. Im not bein wierd when i describe her as one of my friends cos I always had time for her for the joy she brought to my life.

Now, Ive finished school and am just about to finish my leaving cert in the coming days, and our dog's arthritis has gotten so bad since I finished school that she has to get put down tomoro. Is this just mere (sp?) coincidence? I find it hard to believe that the most important symbol of my childhood will cease to exist now that my childhood is over and I begin college. Whats anoybodies opinions on this?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Sorry to hear that...

It's definitely a phase of your life ending and another one beginning, but to say that it's the end of your childhood is not nessecarily true. You can still enjoy other childish things, albeit with restraint and in moderation.

Have you considered getting another pet? Not nessecarily immediately, but after the grieving times pass.

simu

Well, it must be coincidence! Dogs aren't genetically programmed to die once their child owners reach the arbitrary age of adulthood!

That said, I think people build narratives around their own lives to make sense of them and to ease transitions and that this is what you're doing here.

flann

Ikky Poo2 wrote:

You can still enjoy other childish things, albeit with restraint and in moderation.

What an appallingly condescending, God awful piece of advice. Enjoy childish things, but for God's sake, don't dare cross the threshold of allowing the quantity of that enjoyment to exceeed 'moderation'. Restrain yourself. Restraint is paramount!

Archimedes, it's sad about your dog, but you will be the same person the day after you finish school, as you were before. You are under no obligation to act differently, stop laughing at things you laughed at before, or behave differently in any way.

mike65

Its the childish things that keep us young (you only had to see Johnny Giles and Graham Souness cracking up on RTE 2 tonight to see that!).

Mike.

tj-music.com

Archimedes wrote:

Im not sure if this is the appropriate forum, but Id just like to share something. I always loved my dog - i got her when I was about 3 or 4. Im 18 now, and she's survived all this time. Im not bein wierd when i describe her as one of my friends cos I always had time for her for the joy she brought to my life.

Now, Ive finished school and am just about to finish my leaving cert in the coming days, and our dog's arthritis has gotten so bad since I finished school that she has to get put down tomoro. Is this just mere (sp?) coincidence? I find it hard to believe that the most important symbol of my childhood will cease to exist now that my childhood is over and I begin college. Whats anoybodies opinions on this?

There is no such thing as coincidence of that I am sure. Perhaps there is no corelation between the end of your childhood and the passing of your dog although I think it is highly possible that she was there as a friend that needed to be there until you majured.

I believe that all that happens is supposed to happen and I also believe that even though the dog will move on it will never be gone in reality. I am sure there will be situations later in your life where you can suddenly hear, smell or feel the dog. Watch out for it and enjoy when it happens.

Friends never leave.

SkepticOne

tj-music.com wrote:

rI believe that all that happens is supposed to happen and I also believe that even though the dog will move on it will never be gone in reality. I am sure there will be situations later in your life where you can suddenly hear, smell or feel the dog. Watch out for it and enjoy when it happens.

Though it is probably fair to say that your dog food bill will be significantly reduced.

SkepticOne

Sorry about the last remark about dog food. The memory of the dog will remain.

Archimedes wrote:

Now, Ive finished school and am just about to finish my leaving cert in the coming days, and our dog's arthritis has gotten so bad since I finished school that she has to get put down tomoro. Is this just mere (sp?) coincidence? I find it hard to believe that the most important symbol of my childhood will cease to exist now that my childhood is over and I begin college. Whats anoybodies opinions on this?

An unfortunate coincidence imo. To you the dog was a symbol but that just means that you have chosen to attach a meaning to the dog. The dog would still have got sick regardless.

democrates

Ah God bless!

I guess it's a co-incidence but for you there will forever be a stark line at this point in your life, both your pet bowler and your schooling life ending, then the life your live after. Already you're doing the natural thing and reflecting on the meaning of it all, spot on.

My Mum died in January, and though death is something I've thought about often it's not until someone you care deeply about dies that the cosmic enormity of the questions really hit you like a aledgehammer. Because then you've got an emotional stake in it I guess.

Remember the good times, celebrate them. and be the best person you can be.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

There is no such thing as coincidence of that I am sure.

no you're not. That's a silly thing to say.

Doctor DooM

My Grandmother died in the middle of my leaving cert. She would have never done something like that "on purpose" and I don't believe if there was some cosmic force ending lives it wouldnt be doing it purely to enforce some kind of storyline.

That said, I understand how wrenching the death of a dog can be- I had a lovely little mongrel who was prob my best friend. Their deaths are sad enough on their own and its something that someone who's never had a dog like that would understand, so I could see how it looks like the universe is beating you up that way.

democrates

Well I don't believe the universe beats anyone up. It's natural forces, the laws of physics plus a random element. Otherwise we do not have free will!

What we choose to do with our free will is what defines us as good or bad,

abetarrush

I don't think your childhood ever ends

everyone has a kid in them, and I dont think they ever lose it naturally

Like me, if I won the lotto the first place I'd hit is Smyths, trampolines and pogo sticks!

God help the world if im rich......