February 2nd, 2010 / 12:37 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Alec Niedenthal—
RIP Sweetie Niedenthal (1999-2010)
This is my favorite dog-death poem. It is tearing me up right now. What are your favorite pet-death works, or pet-death moments in works?
oh man…my condolences, that’s so very sad – be strong – i’ve always had 1-2 dogs and 1-2 cats around, love those guys
oh man…my condolences, that’s so very sad – be strong – i’ve always had 1-2 dogs and 1-2 cats around, love those guys
I am very sorry for your loss. Dogs are the best creatures on this planet
I am very sorry for your loss. Dogs are the best creatures on this planet
They are. The absolute best. Thank you guys.
They are. The absolute best. Thank you guys.
I’m sorry for your loss Alec. Dogs are great.
Loyalty
This is the hardest part:
When I came back to life
I was a good family dog
and not too friendly to strangers.
I got a thirty-five dollar raise
in salary, and through the pea-soup fogs
I drove the General, and introduced him
at rallies. I had a totalitarian approach
and was a massive boost to his popularity.
I did my best to reduce the number of people.
The local bourgeoisie did not exist.
One of them was a mystic
and walked right over me
as if I were a bed of hot coals.
This is par for the course-
I will be employing sundry golf metaphors
henceforth, because a dog, best friend
and chief advisor to the General, should.
While dining with the General I said,
“Let’s play the back nine in a sacred rage.
Let’s tee-off over the foredoomed community
and putt ourselves thunderously, touching bottom.”
He drank it all in, rugged and dusky.
I think I know what he was thinking.
He held his automatic to my little head
and recited a poem about my many weaknesses,
for which I loved him so.
–James Tate
I’m sorry for your loss Alec. Dogs are great.
Loyalty
This is the hardest part:
When I came back to life
I was a good family dog
and not too friendly to strangers.
I got a thirty-five dollar raise
in salary, and through the pea-soup fogs
I drove the General, and introduced him
at rallies. I had a totalitarian approach
and was a massive boost to his popularity.
I did my best to reduce the number of people.
The local bourgeoisie did not exist.
One of them was a mystic
and walked right over me
as if I were a bed of hot coals.
This is par for the course-
I will be employing sundry golf metaphors
henceforth, because a dog, best friend
and chief advisor to the General, should.
While dining with the General I said,
“Let’s play the back nine in a sacred rage.
Let’s tee-off over the foredoomed community
and putt ourselves thunderously, touching bottom.”
He drank it all in, rugged and dusky.
I think I know what he was thinking.
He held his automatic to my little head
and recited a poem about my many weaknesses,
for which I loved him so.
–James Tate
Very deep condolences, Alec. I hope that you can take the day off to curl up and mope.
I don’t know if this quite qualifies–the possible death in it is debated, and it is more about dog love–but there is a lovely, funny Mary Gordon story called “My Podiatrist Tells Me a Story About a Boy and a Dog.” All but two pages are on google books, so if you start it and want more tell me and I will scan for you the other pages.
Very deep condolences, Alec. I hope that you can take the day off to curl up and mope.
I don’t know if this quite qualifies–the possible death in it is debated, and it is more about dog love–but there is a lovely, funny Mary Gordon story called “My Podiatrist Tells Me a Story About a Boy and a Dog.” All but two pages are on google books, so if you start it and want more tell me and I will scan for you the other pages.
Nashville Gone to Ashes by Amy Hempel, is my favorite dog story, by the way
Nashville Gone to Ashes by Amy Hempel, is my favorite dog story, by the way
Thank you, everyone–unfortunately, I have to go to class, where I’ll have to be sufficiently uncurled. That Tate poem is gorgeous.
Amy, I’ll read that story after class and get back to you. I’ve never read any Mary Gordon. I feel like there are some Amy Hempel stories I could read, too.
Thank you, everyone–unfortunately, I have to go to class, where I’ll have to be sufficiently uncurled. That Tate poem is gorgeous.
Amy, I’ll read that story after class and get back to you. I’ve never read any Mary Gordon. I feel like there are some Amy Hempel stories I could read, too.
The Gaudrys lost a family member of fifteen years, too, yesterday. We’re with you in spirit, Alec.
The Gaudrys lost a family member of fifteen years, too, yesterday. We’re with you in spirit, Alec.
My condolences. I know how hard it is.
That said, mine’s Dog’s Death by Updike. Gets me every time.
–Bill
My condolences. I know how hard it is.
That said, mine’s Dog’s Death by Updike. Gets me every time.
–Bill
Oh, Alec. I’m so sorry. I’m giving a donation to the ASPCA in a couple of days–I’ll give a little extra in memory of Sweetie, too. We have loved and lost a lot of animals in my family and I know there’s nothing really to say except it’s okay to be curled up for a while, even a little in class. :(
Oh, Alec. I’m so sorry. I’m giving a donation to the ASPCA in a couple of days–I’ll give a little extra in memory of Sweetie, too. We have loved and lost a lot of animals in my family and I know there’s nothing really to say except it’s okay to be curled up for a while, even a little in class. :(
Molly, I’m so sorry–the Niedenthals are with the Gaudrys in spirit, too!
Molly, I’m so sorry–the Niedenthals are with the Gaudrys in spirit, too!
Also, I always liked this one by Neruda: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-dog-has-died/
Also, I always liked this one by Neruda: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-dog-has-died/
Looks like we have the same favorite. I read it this morning and cried some.
Looks like we have the same favorite. I read it this morning and cried some.
Thank you so much Amber, that’s so lovely of you.
That’s the one I was thinking of!
Thank you so much Amber, that’s so lovely of you.
That’s the one I was thinking of!
Sorry to hear it. It’s all too much sometimes. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Sorry to hear it. It’s all too much sometimes. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
_Your_ favorite poem made me cry.
The wonderful thing about dogs (and I have two of my own, grew up with lots) is that they know just when to be dignified and when not to be.
You have my condolences.
_Your_ favorite poem made me cry.
The wonderful thing about dogs (and I have two of my own, grew up with lots) is that they know just when to be dignified and when not to be.
You have my condolences.
I like Rauan’s one about poelple being seeming nice then shooting your dog in the face
I like Rauan’s one about poelple being seeming nice then shooting your dog in the face
I am sorry. In March I lost Sandy, ly 12 year old Lab. She was, for all intents and purposes, my child. She had been blind for years, but it never bothered her. Her kidneys finally failed and we were left with no choice. Her cremains rest in a wooden urn om my dresser, very near where she used to sleep. I stroke that box every night before bed, like I used to pet her.
I am sorry. In March I lost Sandy, ly 12 year old Lab. She was, for all intents and purposes, my child. She had been blind for years, but it never bothered her. Her kidneys finally failed and we were left with no choice. Her cremains rest in a wooden urn om my dresser, very near where she used to sleep. I stroke that box every night before bed, like I used to pet her.
Oh weird your dog’s name is Sweetie too? It sounds like it would be more common, but I’ve never heard of any other dogs with that name.
I didn’t pick it. I wanted to name her Barbara. But la vieja prevailed.
Oh weird your dog’s name is Sweetie too? It sounds like it would be more common, but I’ve never heard of any other dogs with that name.
I didn’t pick it. I wanted to name her Barbara. But la vieja prevailed.
a line from joy williams: “there are only so many dogs in a person’s life.” memories of my two dogs — the feeling of a jaw resting on your knee while you watch television, say — are way more tactile and indelible than similar impressions of any person. so sorry to hear about sweetie, alec, it’s so hard.
the spirit and presence of a good dog always stays with you.
a line from joy williams: “there are only so many dogs in a person’s life.” memories of my two dogs — the feeling of a jaw resting on your knee while you watch television, say — are way more tactile and indelible than similar impressions of any person. so sorry to hear about sweetie, alec, it’s so hard.
the spirit and presence of a good dog always stays with you.
Sorry to hear about your dog, Alec. I clicked that link hopping it’d be that Updike poem, and then I clicked to comment about the Tate poem, and there it was.
Best and be well, man.
Sorry to hear about your dog, Alec. I clicked that link hopping it’d be that Updike poem, and then I clicked to comment about the Tate poem, and there it was.
Best and be well, man.
Jesus. That’s heartbreaking.
Jesus. That’s heartbreaking.
alec & nate,
really sorry to hear about your dogs. wish I had more to offer. just wanted to say you’re not alone. hang in there.
-jesusangelgarcia…
alec & nate,
really sorry to hear about your dogs. wish I had more to offer. just wanted to say you’re not alone. hang in there.
-jesusangelgarcia…
You guys are the best.
You guys are the best.
i’m sorry for your loss. dogs really are the best.
that last stanza in updike’s poem is heartbreaking
i’m sorry for your loss. dogs really are the best.
that last stanza in updike’s poem is heartbreaking