Micheal D Higgins dog, Síoda, has passed away. RIP Síoda.

SchrodingersCat wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/president-s-dog-s%C3%ADoda-dies-after-short-illness-1.4359524

In fairness, it's one of the toughest days for any family. For a teen, its a line between childhood and adulthood. For a middle-aged person it increases your awareness of 10-15 years back and forward on this brief clock and for an older person it can be truly heartbreaking as there's a lot bound up in it.
Someone with as complex and fine a heart as Michael D would feel that very deeply. From a person to a person, like every suffering and loss we get an insight into, I wish them peace this weekend.

The usual cynicism appearing here... Everything is good for a laugh. It's easier, isn't it?

When people visit a home, which is what the Aras is, among other things, they are usually greeted by a family pet. Many families put their pets at the centre of their affection day to day.
For the thousands who would have visited, the unimportant people in our vicious world like children, old folk, handicapped, the less powerful, they will know who this dog is and they will care.
For people who are civic-minded, and understand the symbolism of Aras an Uachtaráin, say military people and public servants, they will understand how at an official level, a dog as a mascot serves a valuable purpose.
So it would be crass of the Office of the President not to note the passing of this very publicly known pet to the media. Who WILL ask.

Not dystopian?? Some of you aren't even funny. You're just messed up, cynical shells of people. Perfect for social media, where you blossom to your 30% damaged capacity.

Awe that's sad. I would say he was a wonderful and very friendly dog. It's never easy. I know I lost one myself and when I was younger we had many dogs but the hardest was a black dog we had that was poisoned. I have two myself now and they are so good and so funny too. They are great company and give lots of love too.

hamburgham wrote: »

I wonder how old the dog was. I think a lot of those giant breeds have a relatively short life, 7-8 years.

Yep, anything over 8 years is almost a bonus.

These Burmese mountain dogs are utterly magnificent animals in every way.

There was one being walked around celbridge for a few years and kids were in awe of it. I believe that one died at 8 years.

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

Thankfully there's less than 4 months left in 2020.

Plenty time yet for a space rock the size of county Louth to make an unannounced appearance.

RobertKK wrote: »

It is sad for the Higgins household, but it shouldn't be national news.

I don't agree. This dog was defacto an officer of this State. Every person who visited the Aras and happened upon Sioda left that place with a pep in their step. This dog always saw the best in people and I think that is symbolic of the presidency of Michael D. To have courage, strength, and humility. This is a man with a strong social conscience and a deep seated humanity; and Sioda reflected that back.

This dog was very kind to my daughter when I was last in the Aras, if you happened to meet Sioda you were left with a feeling to be the person this dog thought you were. Sioda was an important part of the team and an important part of this presidency.

All good dogs go to heaven.