Family Meeting
James Lileks ·
February 15, 2013 at 8:07pm
It's my dog's 18th birthday today, so this . . . well. It's quite good. Rob? Get these guys a sitcom.
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Comments:
Re: Family Meeting
Very funny. As a dog person, I can attest that dog people can be, um, a little too intense.
For instance, my dog's birthday was yesterday. (Yes, she was born on Valentine's Day.) And of course my parents sent her this card:
Love the video, by the way. Very funny ending.
Nov '11
Re: Family Meeting
Whoa, that took a nasty little turn. Won't it be jolly when these sorts of talks are coming from the government?
Dec '10
Re: Family Meeting
Very funny video. Cuts a little to close to the bone for me, as I sit here surrounded by a menagerie of geriatric, arthritic, incontinent, diabetic, epileptic and OCD canines, all of whom were surrendered, abandoned, lost, or just in need of a new home.
What baffles me is how they know among themselves when space is available. Last month, our Cinnamon, who was with us for 17 of her approximately 19 years, finally gave up the ghost. I told all my doggie friends to please not try and find me another, as I was sure the Lord would provide as He always has.
I'm currently trying to find the owner of the Shepherd/Husky mix who turned up in my driveway yesterday wearing only a red collar and no tags. He's fairly young, and neutered. Very friendly, gentle, and well-behaved.
If he belongs to any of you, please send me a message . . .
And James, congratulations to your pooch. 126 in human years! Here's to many more.
Mar '11
Re: Family Meeting
Birthday felicitations to Jasper of Jasperwood. Long may he wag.
Aug '11
Re: Family Meeting
I've probably been reading about Jasper for 16 of those 18 years. Wow.
Jasper and I are both old.
Jun '10
Re: Family Meeting
Happy Birthday to Jasper!
Re: Family Meeting
Very very very good point.
Oct '10
Re: Family Meeting
Sign 'em up, Rob.
Chloe and grandma will both be glad to know their futures are in loving hands. Practical loving hands, we mean.
Mar '11
Re: Family Meeting
The government isn't going to have these kinds of conversations with us. Just a letter with "We regret to inform you...", with a bureaucracy designed to insure that it never gets beyond that.
Eventually, not even that will happen. The people that spin the wheels on these things will begin to move the cultural posts, and in the future, it will be your patriotic duty not to go to a doctor when you're old. It will be taught that this is selfish, and the press will make a lot of sarcastic Ayn Rand quips when your grandpa wants to get a pacemaker instead of dying like a Good American. Everyday America looks a little more like something out of Logan's Run. Extreme hedonism, but ultimately at a price. Right now, the legacy of the "greatest Generation" and the Baby Boomers is eternal youth; using doctors and medicine in an attempt to live forever. Economics will force reality one day. And "All will go to Carousel", be it 30 or 70.
Aug '11
Re: Family Meeting
That struck me as the point of the whole thing.
Re: Family Meeting
Drew: exaaaactly.
Aug '11
Re: Family Meeting
Just give the dog the "blue pill".
Nov '10
Re: Family Meeting
Earth to Rob!
Sep '10
Re: Family Meeting
I liked the patronizing, treacly hypocrisy. It's so real.
Sadly, this is a social trend that pervades the culture. No need to wait for the government to do it in healthcare. The sweetening up of the stab in the back is far worse than a straight-up you're fired or whatever the bad news is. It doesn't soften the blow at all. Most people know what's coming next after they are told how valuable they are.
Sep '12
Re: Family Meeting
Happy Birthday Jasper!
I put it off w/ Orpheus as long as I could but once it got to the point where the little guy was in so much pain he'd rather stay where he is that goto his bed or his dish...
Nov '11
Re: Family Meeting
An important rehearsal, since we'll all be counting on Grandma to do the right thing!
(Have you filled out your Living Will yet?)
Mar '12
Re: Family Meeting
Hope Jasper gets a nice treat after dinner tonight. Maybe a marrow bone.
Jul '12
Re: Family Meeting
It must be something about not being a dog lover but I found that not funny.
Or, maybe it's because I'm a Grannie.
Apr '11
Re: Family Meeting
Livgren and Walsh said 35 years ago that eventually, "All your money won't another minute buy." Wife and I would like it to be up to us when that happens. There's no guarantee, but we work to make it likely.
My best to Jasper, James. Frosty Paws and pizza rinds all around!
Jan '11
Re: Family Meeting
Better push nana down those stairs. ADA will force you to install an elevator to bring her down to get loaded into the Soylent Green truck.