26 Comments
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Denny Stein, Hwaet?!'s avatar

My dog just died too. We’re bereft. I cried when I saw a dog in a cafe. I spent all my summers in Rangeley, ME. Hugs.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you and I’m so very sorry for your loss.

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Jade Walker's avatar

The wisdom and love of dogs -- how lucky are we to have them in our lives? RIP Rangeley. You will be missed.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

They are here to teach us.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I should too. Should be getting up and getting going on my day rather than read spiraling into beautiful Substack pieces like yours.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Rangeley would say, “what’s your rush?” Thank you for reading.

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Michael Carnell's avatar

So, so very sorry to heard of Rangeley’s passing and your loss. We love them so much, though often subtly, that it is devastating when they leave us. My hearty goes out to you.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

They forgive us for everything. Thank you for your kind words.

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Carol D Marsh's avatar

Catherine - this is lovely and heart-tugging. Thank you. But I'm so sorry about your dog. They always, always, die too soon.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you Carol. I’m finding solace in that he didn’t suffer a long illness, but I am still reeling over the loss of my smushy friend.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I stumbled through this, crying. So sorry.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Same. Dogs are heartbreakers.

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Anne Arthur's avatar

Beautiful writing; you spoke to my heart. "Career PTSD" - I love that. It seems I suffer the same and "should-should-should"...

I am sorry you lost your sweet dog, your lovely companion.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you for reading and your kind words. Dogs have a lot to each us. I bet they don’t even know the word “should”

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Jill Holly's avatar

I'm so sorry about Rangeley. What a good good boy. They teach us so much and expand our hearts.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you for the thoughts. He was a good boy most of the time and when he wasn’t he was still trying very hard to do the right thing. And trying is enough.

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Hannah Kuhn's avatar

Totally relate to the internal shoulding voice. I insist that I’m a cat person, but after reading this piece, I think I’ve fallen in love with Rangeley. Thank you, Catherine.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Two things can be true. I love my Kitty and she is wandering the house now looking for her best frenemy. Next time the shoulds get loud, think of the wisdom of dog.

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Joanna Monahan's avatar

I’m so sorry about Rangeley. We love them hard, and are better people for the time we had with them.

Thank you for your post and the reminder about what matters.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you for the kind words Joanna. I hope I can continue to grow into the person my dog believed me to be.

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Rose's avatar

Nothing like an animal to get under your skin, and expand your heart.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

So true.

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Night Shift Writing's avatar

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you. I was lucky to have him.

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Celey Taylor's avatar

So sorry to hear about Rangeley. Thank you for including him in your writings and for sharing the love you hold for him.

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Catherine H Palmer's avatar

Thank you Celey. There will be more Rangeley to read about. He is an important mentor on this heroine's journey.

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