Kate, your words have a way of wrapping around my heart and squeezing tight. The pain of losing Missy and the complexity of your feelings towards your dad's comment. It's all so raw and relatable. Your writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of acknowledging our emotions.
Thank you! I think I read your writing so carefully because I have a strong need for understanding. I'm wired to absorb and process the emotions and perspectives shared in the words I read. 🙏💗
That is incredibly sad. wtf how do you think that a 5 year old would remember something like that. Just piling one sad event after another. I love animals too, more than people.
I met people like that. they seem to be oblivious to everything happening. I’m not trying to say he has an excuse, but I wonder how his head was losing his wife at this time. I can’t imagine that would be easy. what he did was very cruel.
What a touching and revealing piece of your trauma we experienced with you…too sad for words or explanations of cruelty on your dad’s part…I am sorry adults don’t often recognize their children’s pain and grief, and I am so surprised at your father’s words. He must have been hurting because of loss of your mom to do something so mean spirited. He seems to have control issues,since apparently your grandma couldn’t keep Missy safe till you returned. I am sorry for your pain. The joy was yours for too short a time after losing your mom.😢💕🙏🏻
Thank you so much for reading so carefully and for your compassion. It means a lot to feel seen in this chapter.
I think you’re right that grief was doing a lot of the talking back then. Adults don’t always recognize how deeply children carry loss. Writing this has helped me understand that moment with more nuance than I had as a child.
The way Missy becomes a symbol for both fleeting joy and irrecoverable loss is exceptionally evocative. It’s the kind of story that stuck with me long after finishing because it doesn’t just tell grief, it made me feel the contours of it. (And I am not even a pet person!)
Thank you — that means a great deal to me. I’m especially struck by the fact that it landed even without a personal connection to pets. I really appreciate you taking the time to articulate what you felt while reading.
Quiet, devastating, and deeply honest. Missy feels real in such a short space—the clicking nails, the storm, the way she becomes safety when nothing else is. The casual way she’s erased is heartbreaking, and the Christmas-table moment perfectly captures how grief resurfaces through someone else’s forgetfulness. The final line lingers. This chapter doesn’t ask for tears, but it earns them.
Happy to share detailed chapter by chapter thoughts as you post more, if that’s ever helpful.
I so appreciate your feedback and glad you enjoyed this chapter. I would love any feedback you are willing to provide! Honestly that's my main purpose being on substack, would be very grateful.
Dogs are almost always better than people, especially when you are a kid. Rough way to lose you little four legged buddy. But our parent were from a different generation, different mentality.
I’m so mad at your dad right now. Adults do not understand how their actions affect children for a lifetime. Missy was a lifeline for you….gosh….I’m so sorry.
I've always loved dogs. Usually more than most people. 🐕🦺🐾🦮🐶🐕🐩
Kate, your words have a way of wrapping around my heart and squeezing tight. The pain of losing Missy and the complexity of your feelings towards your dad's comment. It's all so raw and relatable. Your writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of acknowledging our emotions.
Thank you for reading it so carefully. That means more than I can say.
Thank you! I think I read your writing so carefully because I have a strong need for understanding. I'm wired to absorb and process the emotions and perspectives shared in the words I read. 🙏💗
I subscribed I will check out your work too! Ty!
Thank you Kate! I think you’re going to love my latest post about how dogs teach us valuable life lessons.
That is incredibly sad. wtf how do you think that a 5 year old would remember something like that. Just piling one sad event after another. I love animals too, more than people.
Sometimes wonder what the hell my dad was thinking. I know he didn't mean to be cruel but it was.
I met people like that. they seem to be oblivious to everything happening. I’m not trying to say he has an excuse, but I wonder how his head was losing his wife at this time. I can’t imagine that would be easy. what he did was very cruel.
What a touching and revealing piece of your trauma we experienced with you…too sad for words or explanations of cruelty on your dad’s part…I am sorry adults don’t often recognize their children’s pain and grief, and I am so surprised at your father’s words. He must have been hurting because of loss of your mom to do something so mean spirited. He seems to have control issues,since apparently your grandma couldn’t keep Missy safe till you returned. I am sorry for your pain. The joy was yours for too short a time after losing your mom.😢💕🙏🏻
Thank you so much for reading so carefully and for your compassion. It means a lot to feel seen in this chapter.
I think you’re right that grief was doing a lot of the talking back then. Adults don’t always recognize how deeply children carry loss. Writing this has helped me understand that moment with more nuance than I had as a child.
I really appreciate your kindness. 💛
I could feel this. 🖤
Thank you. I’m really glad it landed. ❤️
Love this
The way Missy becomes a symbol for both fleeting joy and irrecoverable loss is exceptionally evocative. It’s the kind of story that stuck with me long after finishing because it doesn’t just tell grief, it made me feel the contours of it. (And I am not even a pet person!)
Thank you for sharing what must have been a very painful incident to relive.
Thank you — that means a great deal to me. I’m especially struck by the fact that it landed even without a personal connection to pets. I really appreciate you taking the time to articulate what you felt while reading.
Quiet, devastating, and deeply honest. Missy feels real in such a short space—the clicking nails, the storm, the way she becomes safety when nothing else is. The casual way she’s erased is heartbreaking, and the Christmas-table moment perfectly captures how grief resurfaces through someone else’s forgetfulness. The final line lingers. This chapter doesn’t ask for tears, but it earns them.
Happy to share detailed chapter by chapter thoughts as you post more, if that’s ever helpful.
I so appreciate your feedback and glad you enjoyed this chapter. I would love any feedback you are willing to provide! Honestly that's my main purpose being on substack, would be very grateful.
Well written! I can relate to the fact everything I loved could vanish. Life is unpredictable, you never know what will happen next.
This is very true and thank you so much for reading and commenting ❤️ 💜 ♥️ 💕
My first word was dog! This was so well written. The dog I have now has helped me so much in my sobriety journey! Much love!
My dad did something similar ish.
Also, I love schnauzers.
I deeply love animals. Are so much better than most humans
They are so pure... they have no capacity to be fake whatsoever!
Dogs are almost always better than people, especially when you are a kid. Rough way to lose you little four legged buddy. But our parent were from a different generation, different mentality.
Agree. Dogs were not treated then like they are now. They are the best. The unconditional love, the trust, the not being able to criticize you 🤣
It was once said of a boy and his dog; if you do something stupid they don't yell at you they do it with you.
I’m so mad at your dad right now. Adults do not understand how their actions affect children for a lifetime. Missy was a lifeline for you….gosh….I’m so sorry.