[Gpdd] Misc: The Cycle

[David Blair]

For the folks here who've seen me around writing eulogies when my little
buddies cross the Bridge, you may note I rarely reply for other piggies when
they're lost.

After reading one of the Digests, and noting a certain thing, I wanted to
comment about why, and something I noticed.

In the time since my wife brought these marvelous creatures into my life,
I've become very, very fond of these little ones. On of my best sources for
piggies, The Critter Corral in Steger, Il., is run by Rose Pooler. She knows
I'll drive the 150 miles to meet up with her just to bring home one little
furry one. She once told me she thought I shouldn't read a post she made on
our Critter Corral adoptive parents list, because she knew I would be very
upset. She said "I know it doesn't take much for you to love a piggie, and
this is upsetting." I took her judgement to heart, and didn't read the
posting. She was right- I don't need much to fall for a piggie. About all it
takes is for me to learn of a little one and I'm fond of them.

Because they are so endeared to me, I find it hard to read when one has
passed. Years ago, a subscriber had a piggie named Axel Rose, and when he
passed, I was so moved by her post that I emailed her every November around
the anniversary of his passing for the next 5 years, because he had become
special to me, and her eulogy to him was so moving that I couldn't forget
the deep love.

Thus, I have learned when someone writes of their lost love, it affects me
profoundly, so I have learned not to read them. It isn't that I don't care-
it's that one of the things that saddens me so is that their lived are so
short, and their contributions to we who love them, so great.

However, in reading today's GPDD, I noticed something curiously. In the list
were several saddening  tales of piggies crossing the Bridge, and but also
there were announcements of new births. It was the cycle of life, all
documented in a single digest of the GPDD.

I sat back and marveled at this for a moment, and realized that when a furry
angel passes from us, it often leaves a new home for someone in need. New
little lives enter our world, in need of care and a home. Somehow, this
makes it a little easier to have to say goodbye. Given the chance, the
realization is important that, when a piggie leaves us new ones join us, it
must be remembered when our heart breaks at saying goodbye to a friend.

I have many little friends I miss very deeply. DadPig, Little Pepper,
Mirage, Dr. Pepper... just a few of the ones I've had to say goodbye to.
Recently I shared our loss of Evander Holypig and Cinder. But we've got
Droopy now in our home, a beautiful black boy with pea eye (one of three I
have with the condition), and I asked specifically for him from the Critter
Corral. Yes, Droopy traveled all the way from Chicago to St. Louis to find
his home. We wouldn't have had room a few months before Droopy came here,
but when Angel died, we wanted to give another a home. Where my dear Dr.
Pepper lived (right next to my comfy chair) we now have made a home for
Treasure, rescued from a pet shop, parasite infected and nearly bald, who
now looks like a dustmop, his fur is so lengthy.

No, I still couldn't read of the passings of others. It still breaks my
heart, but it is tempered with the joy of new births for others.

And if you post about a loss, please understand why someone who mainly posts
tributes to his lost friends is quiet after the post. It's because I share
your grief from simply reading the subject line. The announcements of new
ones, and the websites dedicated to these angels, have helped me understand.
It's the Cycle that life works for all.

David, loving his Critter Corral piggies Gizmo, Minuit, and Droopy (brave
travelers all), along with Blizzard (my first morning face, since I get up
after my wife heads in to work), Da Boyzzz (Pickles, Michael, and Gabriel),
Cleo(patra) and Nefer(titi), and, of course, Treasure.