Comments on: For Aileen. http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 13:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: pondergirl http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517995 pondergirl Sat, 25 Aug 2012 04:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517995 Bringing her beloved Jethro in was such a beautiful act of love on your part. I thank God for Hospice everyday, we lost my father 2 years ago, and was so grateful that Hospice was there for us. That photo will remain in my mind for along time, I will hug my schnauzer extra tight tonight. Praying that you find some peace in these most difficult days that lay ahead of you. Love and Light... Bringing her beloved Jethro in was such a beautiful act of love on your part. I thank God for Hospice everyday, we lost my father 2 years ago, and was so grateful that Hospice was there for us. That photo will remain in my mind for along time, I will hug my schnauzer extra tight tonight. Praying that you find some peace in these most difficult days that lay ahead of you. Love and Light…

]]> By: Derisory Apodaca http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517984 Derisory Apodaca Sat, 25 Aug 2012 04:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517984 Bringing the dog to say goodbye, was no doubt the very best thing you could have done. I feel very strongly that animals are able to give comfort in those last moments of life that no human is able to give.  Bringing the dog to say goodbye, was no doubt the very best thing you could have done. I feel very strongly that animals are able to give comfort in those last moments of life that no human is able to give. 

]]> By: Derisory Apodaca http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517981 Derisory Apodaca Sat, 25 Aug 2012 04:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517981 Your post is what I feel. You have expressed so much so well  in this short message. Your post is what I feel. You have expressed so much so well  in this short message.

]]> By: Atii Sled Dogs http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517685 Atii Sled Dogs Fri, 24 Aug 2012 22:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517685 Xeni, Miles, Aileen, Katie (and Jethro):  My heart goes out to all of you. Thank you all for being so forthright and brave; for launching the ensuing conversations (and hopefully action) by igniting the fuel to share not only both of these poignant photographs but for opening your lives to the global community by sharing your story. These images, blog posts and tweets have stayed with me for days, touching me on a great many levels for a great many reasons. The power of reciprocal, unconditional love and trust is profound and immeasurable--whether between mother and children, brother and sister, closest of friends/family member, or animal companion and his beloved person. I have no doubt that animals grieve--I've seen it happen more than once. I'm touched (but not surprised) by Orvis so kindly and generously sending a new dog bed and care package of gifts for Jethro. They are a great "Vermont Strong" company. [For many years, they've had and supported fly casting as healing therapy for women (and men) at their pond.] Love each other well and continue to make the most of every single day. Time for me to go play with my dogs--I'm in tears again. Xeni, Miles, Aileen, Katie (and Jethro): 

My heart goes out to all of you. Thank you all for being so forthright and brave; for launching the ensuing conversations (and hopefully action) by igniting the fuel to share not only both of these poignant photographs but for opening your lives to the global community by sharing your story. These images, blog posts and tweets have stayed with me for days, touching me on a great many levels for a great many reasons.

The power of reciprocal, unconditional love and trust is profound and immeasurable–whether between mother and children, brother and sister, closest of friends/family member, or animal companion and his beloved person. I have no doubt that animals grieve–I’ve seen it happen more than once.

I’m touched (but not surprised) by Orvis so kindly and generously sending a new dog bed and care package of gifts for Jethro. They are a great “Vermont Strong” company. [For many years, they've had and supported fly casting as healing therapy for women (and men) at their pond.]

Love each other well and continue to make the most of every single day. Time for me to go play with my dogs–I’m in tears again.

]]> By: Cindie White-Weiss http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517367 Cindie White-Weiss Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517367 So very sorry for the loss of your sister, Miles. I am glad that Jethro got to say goodbye. Some people think "he's just a dog," but we know they attach themselves to our hearts forever. I will make a donation to the hospice that cared for your sister. I hope you have happy memories to sustain you. Rest in peace, Aileen. So very sorry for the loss of your sister, Miles. I am glad that Jethro got to say goodbye. Some people think “he’s just a dog,” but we know they attach themselves to our hearts forever. I will make a donation to the hospice that cared for your sister. I hope you have happy memories to sustain you. Rest in peace, Aileen.

]]> By: Kym Johnson http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517318 Kym Johnson Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517318 This picture is both beautiful & heartbreaking.....the story equally so. Thank you Miles for giving your sister & her beloved dog, Jethro, the chance to say farewell. I am so sorry for your loss. Xeni, I am praying that you beat this demon we know as cancer. I too have had this awful demon of a disease steal loved ones....my beloved Nana in 2010 to ovarian cancer, her brother my funny & always laughing Uncle George in 1995 to metastatic bone cancer, My young vibrant & beautiful cousin LaWanda in 2011 to stomach cancer & several others as well. I so HATE cancer! We need a cure now!!! FUCK CANCER!!! This picture is both beautiful & heartbreaking…..the story equally so. Thank you Miles for giving your sister & her beloved dog, Jethro, the chance to say farewell. I am so sorry for your loss. Xeni, I am praying that you beat this demon we know as cancer.

I too have had this awful demon of a disease steal loved ones….my beloved Nana in 2010 to ovarian cancer, her brother my funny & always laughing Uncle George in 1995 to metastatic bone cancer, My young vibrant & beautiful cousin LaWanda in 2011 to stomach cancer & several others as well. I so HATE cancer! We need a cure now!!! FUCK CANCER!!!

]]> By: whittler http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1517228 whittler Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1517228 Like the song, Quinx....love is really all that we have at the end.  Nothing else. Like the song, Quinx….love is really all that we have at the end.  Nothing else.

]]> By: Nina Buckler Eckhoff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516677 Nina Buckler Eckhoff Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516677 I am so very sorry for you loss.  Lost my mom to breast cancer in 1988; can it possibly be that long ago?  May God wrap his loving arms around you all.  And, yes, FUCK CANCER.      I am so very sorry for you loss.  Lost my mom to breast cancer in 1988; can it possibly be that long ago?  May God wrap his loving arms around you all.  And, yes, FUCK CANCER.     

]]> By: Dawn Dunsmore http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516669 Dawn Dunsmore Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516669 No words can take away the pain of losing a loved one, so I am sending healing thoughts to you, your boyfriend, and his family. It's one thing to be diagnosed with the disease, which I was as well in March of this year, however, it is another to have lost a loved one to it within the same few weeks/months/or even year.  Be strong, you can beat this!  Thank you for posting this beautiful picture, my dogs and kitty have been my angels throughout my recovery! I am wishing you well my friend..... No words can take away the pain of losing a loved one, so I am sending healing thoughts to you, your boyfriend, and his family. It’s one thing to be diagnosed with the disease, which I was as well in March of this year, however, it is another to have lost a loved one to it within the same few weeks/months/or even year.  Be strong, you can beat this!  Thank you for posting this beautiful picture, my dogs and kitty have been my angels throughout my recovery! I am wishing you well my friend…..

]]> By: Dawn Dunsmore http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516662 Dawn Dunsmore Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516662 I am BRCA 1 as well and was diagnosed in March and had a bi-lateral mastectomy in April (chose not to do chemo/tamoxifen though).  My heart goes out to you and your family, as well as James and his wife below. It is a terrible disease and it is pure insanity that they haven't come up with something better after 50 years of research and billions of dollars funneling through the different charities. Again, I am sending warm wishes of healing to you all!  I am BRCA 1 as well and was diagnosed in March and had a bi-lateral mastectomy in April (chose not to do chemo/tamoxifen though).  My heart goes out to you and your family, as well as James and his wife below. It is a terrible disease and it is pure insanity that they haven’t come up with something better after 50 years of research and billions of dollars funneling through the different charities. Again, I am sending warm wishes of healing to you all! 

]]> By: Sharon A http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516258 Sharon A Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516258 My thoughts and deepest condolences are with your family.  I lost a friend to breast cancer this week, and have battled the disease twice myself.  Too many friends have battled it, too many friends have died, that has to end.  This photo is a beautiful homage to Aileen. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with your family.  I lost a friend to breast cancer this week, and have battled the disease twice myself.  Too many friends have battled it, too many friends have died, that has to end.  This photo is a beautiful homage to Aileen.

]]> By: Deneice Foster http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516150 Deneice Foster Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516150 What a beautiful picture the last kiss from a well loved family menber ,They know when we are sick and hurting and should be allowed to say their goodbys ! What a wonderful family she had to love her so much  to be by her side God bless you all ! What a beautiful picture the last kiss from a well loved family menber ,They know when we are sick and hurting and should be allowed to say their goodbys ! What a wonderful family she had to love her so much  to be by her side God bless you all !

]]> By: TamLee http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516136 TamLee Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516136 weeping for you Miles and your beautiful nieces.  May god rest your sister's soul.  Thank you for sharing this heartfelt moment with the world. weeping for you Miles and your beautiful nieces.  May god rest your sister’s soul.  Thank you for sharing this heartfelt moment with the world.

]]> By: My Name http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516108 My Name Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516108 My father died of cancer, and I agree...no one should die that way.  They suffer.  Thank you for sharing this photo, which is so very precious.  Thank you for allowing Jethro to say goodbye.  My best wishes to your family. My father died of cancer, and I agree…no one should die that way.  They suffer.  Thank you for sharing this photo, which is so very precious.  Thank you for allowing Jethro to say goodbye.  My best wishes to your family.

]]> By: Carolyn Wood http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516100 Carolyn Wood Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516100 My sister died of breast cancer. Her journal said,  "I don't want to leave my beautiful life.”  Thank you for sharing this photo, as unbearably painful as it is to see.  My sister died of breast cancer. Her journal said,  ”I don’t want to leave my beautiful life.” 

Thank you for sharing this photo, as unbearably painful as it is to see. 

]]> By: steven j bennett http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516083 steven j bennett Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516083 im sorry for your loss it reminds me of people ive lost too, my heart goes out to you all. im sorry for your loss it reminds me of people ive lost too, my heart goes out to you all.

]]> By: steven j bennett http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516081 steven j bennett Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516081 im sorry for your loss it reminds me of people ive lost too, my heart goes out to you all. im sorry for your loss it reminds me of people ive lost too, my heart goes out to you all.

]]> By: nima namchu http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516073 nima namchu Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516073 Condolences to you. I lost my mother to lung cancer almost 3 years ago.I pray that other patients are able to defeat the disease. Strength to all patients and those who love them. Condolences to you. I lost my mother to lung cancer almost 3 years ago.I pray that other patients are able to defeat the disease.

Strength to all patients and those who love them.

]]> By: suicide_blond http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516066 suicide_blond Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516066 godspeed... xoxo godspeed…
xoxo

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515999 Xeni Jardin Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515999 My thoughts are with you Irene.  My thoughts are with you Irene. 

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1516000 Xeni Jardin Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1516000 I will make sure O'B sees this. I will make sure O’B sees this.

]]> By: Adrian_Meli http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515884 Adrian_Meli Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515884 Xeni, my condolences to you, Miles, and his family. Thank you so much for posting this story and moving picture. Wish I had a chance to know Aileen, but it sounds like she was surrounded by love and this photo of her and Jethro will be around forever. Xeni, my condolences to you, Miles, and his family. Thank you so much for posting this story and moving picture. Wish I had a chance to know Aileen, but it sounds like she was surrounded by love and this photo of her and Jethro will be around forever.

]]> By: ron4965 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515688 ron4965 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515688 Brandy, This is the rawest, most honest and most poignant post comment I have ever read. You articulated something very profound about the Internet, but exactly what I cannot put into words coherently. I am extremely moved by this photo, and experiencing sadness and anger that a person, a family, and a community of people who love and know this person have gone through something so devastating and agonizing and cruel. But I'm also experiencing other feelings that make me uneasy. Being invited openly to see such a private moment that contained unspeakable grief and sorrow and pain for her family members, while being a stranger to her who would arguably have little right to see this moment--and who also does not have the personal knowledge that this woman condoned my seeing her in the final moments of a ruthless health struggle--invokes feelings of guilt, undeservedness and impotence. And awkwardness in witnessing this moment in the context of a blog where other entries relaying things of trivial consequence, comparatively, surround it. I'm very, very sorry to learn of this young person's illness and death, and saddened to think of her family and friends suffering in grieving. But such drive-by condolences from a stranger, a poster on the Internet, feels pathetically innappropriate given the staggering loss being experienced by the very people to whom I'm extending these sentiments. Perhaps it's the relative newness of this technology forum, and its limitations and imbalances in access and use among different people, as your comment mentioned. Pairing it with something so indefatibly fixed into the human soul as the fear and pain of losing a loved one may not be a comfortable union at this stage for everyone (or maybe just a relative few people like myself). I'm sorry for your loss too, Brandy. But thank you for your comment. It's powerfully thought-provoking. Ron Geraci Brandy,
This is the rawest, most honest and most poignant post comment I have ever read. You articulated something very profound about the Internet, but exactly what I cannot put into words coherently. I am extremely moved by this photo, and experiencing sadness and anger that a person, a family, and a community of people who love and know this person have gone through something so devastating and agonizing and cruel. But I’m also experiencing other feelings that make me uneasy. Being invited openly to see such a private moment that contained unspeakable grief and sorrow and pain for her family members, while being a stranger to her who would arguably have little right to see this moment–and who also does not have the personal knowledge that this woman condoned my seeing her in the final moments of a ruthless health struggle–invokes feelings of guilt, undeservedness and impotence. And awkwardness in witnessing this moment in the context of a blog where other entries relaying things of trivial consequence, comparatively, surround it.

I’m very, very sorry to learn of this young person’s illness and death, and saddened to think of her family and friends suffering in grieving. But such drive-by condolences from a stranger, a poster on the Internet, feels pathetically innappropriate given the staggering loss being experienced by the very people to whom I’m extending these sentiments. Perhaps it’s the relative newness of this technology forum, and its limitations and imbalances in access and use among different people, as your comment mentioned. Pairing it with something so indefatibly fixed into the human soul as the fear and pain of losing a loved one may not be a comfortable union at this stage for everyone (or maybe just a relative few people like myself).

I’m sorry for your loss too, Brandy. But thank you for your comment. It’s powerfully thought-provoking.

Ron Geraci

]]> By: newtothispostingstuff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515658 newtothispostingstuff Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515658 Teared up at work and again at home after seeing such a powerful image.  Every detail brought back my sweet mother in law's last moments we witnessed a couple of years ago.  I remember her struggle but the peace at the end.  Thank you for sharing. Teared up at work and again at home after seeing such a powerful image.  Every detail brought back my sweet mother in law’s last moments we witnessed a couple of years ago.  I remember her struggle but the peace at the end.  Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Paul Iacono http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515635 Paul Iacono Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515635 My heart aches for you Xeni. My heart aches for you Xeni.

]]> By: IreneGoodnight http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515624 IreneGoodnight Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515624 This photo stirs so many emotions. My mother died at age 46 also from ovarian cancer alone in a hospital bed. It will forever haunt me. She was 7 mths. old when her mother died of breast cancer. There is so much cancer in my family that I grew up feeling a monster was always chasing me. It finally tagged me three yrs. ago with leukemia. I just hope we all pass from this world with the same love and comfort shown in your photograph. I have two dogs that never leave my side. What good companions they are and bless your Jethro. What a beautiful photo. I wish you all peace and good memories. This photo stirs so many emotions. My mother died at age 46 also from ovarian cancer alone in a hospital bed. It will forever haunt me. She was 7 mths. old when her mother died of breast cancer. There is so much cancer in my family that I grew up feeling a monster was always chasing me. It finally tagged me three yrs. ago with leukemia. I just hope we all pass from this world with the same love and comfort shown in your photograph. I have two dogs that never leave my side. What good companions they are and bless your Jethro. What a beautiful photo. I wish you all peace and good memories.

]]> By: Melted Crayons http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515618 Melted Crayons Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515618 Let's stop funding wars against people and start funding wars against cancer. Let’s stop funding wars against people and start funding wars against cancer.

]]> By: digitalteacup http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515487 digitalteacup Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515487 I just happened to see this photo posted on Boing Boing today. Beautiful and such a touching tribute to pet ownership. It's especially moving since I actually knew Aileen in High school in GP.  I'm so sorry that you are battling this disease as well Xeni and I do hope this doesn't lessen your fight. It may not seem like it right now but it is a curable disease. If you don't mind I just want to say thanks for the many frosty mugs of cold beer Aileen and for the many late night backgammon games with your mom. My sincerest condolences to her family and doggy Jethro.  I just happened to see this photo posted on Boing Boing today. Beautiful and such a touching tribute to pet ownership. It’s especially moving since I actually knew Aileen in High school in GP.  I’m so sorry that you are battling this disease as well Xeni and I do hope this doesn’t lessen your fight. It may not seem like it right now but it is a curable disease. If you don’t mind I just want to say thanks for the many frosty mugs of cold beer Aileen and for the many late night backgammon games with your mom. My sincerest condolences to her family and doggy Jethro. 

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515476 Halloween_Jack Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515476 What a lovely picture. Let's all hope that we're all lucky enough to have someone like Jethro with us when we go out. What a lovely picture. Let’s all hope that we’re all lucky enough to have someone like Jethro with us when we go out.

]]> By: Julia Lewandowski http://boingboing.net/2012/08/21/for-aileen.html#comment-1515399 Julia Lewandowski Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=177508#comment-1515399 When my mom died at home after a long battle with breast cancer the family dog woke up  my father to let him know. When my mom died at home after a long battle with breast cancer the family dog woke up  my father to let him know.

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