Equally disturbing with the total lack of empathy by Republicans toward most of humanity -brown and Black people and especially little girls, and women is their hateful rhetoric, disturbing attitudes, and willingness to couch all of that under the guise of “religion” is reprehensible.
There’s something sad about a person who doesn’t love animals. They are someone to be pitied. For me that speaks loudly about the type of person they are.
I loved this essay. What stood out to me in the piece is the differences and similarities between the Presidents. One is younger, the other older, one is white, the other is black. Similarly, they both mourned the loss of their dogs, and lovingly describe them as members of their family. That kind of love transcends age and race. That kind of care and thoughtfulness is the message of the season and into next year. Thank you for this lovely story. Happy Holidays.
Dec 22, 2023·edited Dec 22, 2023Liked by Steven Beschloss
Steven Beschloss you’re one of God’s
Angels that walk amongst us and you Grace my heart with your kindness and humanity…I’ve been a Hospice grief counselor for thirty years since my 26 yr old son’s death/ needing a heart transplant …what makes a life worthwhile
Dogs are good judges of people. They can easily tell the good from the bad. I suspect Trump didn't have a dog because no self-respecting dog would have him.
If anything would convince us there’s a Sociopath in the White House in 2017 through 2021 it was the absence of a dog.
They couldn’t allow one in the White House under Trump because he would have tortured and eventually kill the dog.
My buddy died 3 years ago and it still hurts my heart. Toto, his name, was my daughter’s dog and I lost her so there were many connections I had with my Toto.
To see Barack and Joe treat their family pets with love, affection, and respect warms my heart. ❤️
Champ, Bo, Hazel and the leaders who share their lives uplifted me out of a fog today. I could fully see that we cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into negativity and hatred, but rather we must remind each other and ourselves about what matters: love, kindness, integrity, and decency. These are qualities of great leaders, of true leaders! I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read this today, some of grief for dear pets I miss, but mostly of being deeply moved by Truth and your kindness. Thank you and I hope you have restorative time to just be and to enjoy yourself, family, and Hazel.
Such a thoughtful essay, Steven. A first “read” for me. I do, however, remember the loss of these beloved pets and the response of their “masters”. The loss of something that had a profound impact on their lives, knowing that these companions mattered to a lot of people outside of the immediate family, and, their willingness to share with them the loss, says a great deal about their character and mindfulness of others. Again, Blessings to you and yours. And, to all the Substack family.
Thank you for your much needed post reminding us about how compassion, dignity, and kindness matter in this world and especially in our leaders.
Your beagle is adorable. I have had beagles for almost 25 years now and just love them. When I suddenly lost the first beagle I raised from a puppy I was heartbroken and devasted. That grief prompted me to start oil painting again after not painting for 30 years while raising my children. I poured all my grief and pain into the painting of my Gracie. Now the painting sits by my chair in my den. Other people who saw it asked me to paint their dogs which led to creating a website of my work. If you are interested in seeing the painting of my Gracie or other work, you can find my website here: https://jlponder3.wixsite.com/website
Among the many good and useful things my parents taught me:
Watch out for people who don't like animals.
Watch out for people who do not have a sense of humor.
Equally disturbing with the total lack of empathy by Republicans toward most of humanity -brown and Black people and especially little girls, and women is their hateful rhetoric, disturbing attitudes, and willingness to couch all of that under the guise of “religion” is reprehensible.
There’s something sad about a person who doesn’t love animals. They are someone to be pitied. For me that speaks loudly about the type of person they are.
Such a beautiful reminder of the ways in which empathy and love inform and teach us.
I loved this essay. What stood out to me in the piece is the differences and similarities between the Presidents. One is younger, the other older, one is white, the other is black. Similarly, they both mourned the loss of their dogs, and lovingly describe them as members of their family. That kind of love transcends age and race. That kind of care and thoughtfulness is the message of the season and into next year. Thank you for this lovely story. Happy Holidays.
Thank you for this heartfelt column. Kindness is much needed in the GOP. Love of animals is a key to love of all. Merry Christmas Mr Beschloss
Steven Beschloss you’re one of God’s
Angels that walk amongst us and you Grace my heart with your kindness and humanity…I’ve been a Hospice grief counselor for thirty years since my 26 yr old son’s death/ needing a heart transplant …what makes a life worthwhile
Is loving and giving kindness.. the gift I’ve
Given to myself by subscribing to your❤️
Substack America is my treasured prize
May you be blessed for all you give,Marsha
Nothing ever reaches better than kindness, we cannot live without kindness.
All my love to dreamy Hazel and to everyone around her.
And indeed to everyone here.
Merry Christmas and absolutely Happy Everything.
Dogs are good judges of people. They can easily tell the good from the bad. I suspect Trump didn't have a dog because no self-respecting dog would have him.
If anything would convince us there’s a Sociopath in the White House in 2017 through 2021 it was the absence of a dog.
They couldn’t allow one in the White House under Trump because he would have tortured and eventually kill the dog.
My buddy died 3 years ago and it still hurts my heart. Toto, his name, was my daughter’s dog and I lost her so there were many connections I had with my Toto.
To see Barack and Joe treat their family pets with love, affection, and respect warms my heart. ❤️
Thank you Steven. Have a wonderful holiday.
Compassion and kindness are not a weakness. I have to believe that history is a pendulum that will swing back our way.
Hazel is precious by not having or wanting a dog tells you everything you need to know about the former loser president.
Champ, Bo, Hazel and the leaders who share their lives uplifted me out of a fog today. I could fully see that we cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into negativity and hatred, but rather we must remind each other and ourselves about what matters: love, kindness, integrity, and decency. These are qualities of great leaders, of true leaders! I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read this today, some of grief for dear pets I miss, but mostly of being deeply moved by Truth and your kindness. Thank you and I hope you have restorative time to just be and to enjoy yourself, family, and Hazel.
Such a thoughtful essay, Steven. A first “read” for me. I do, however, remember the loss of these beloved pets and the response of their “masters”. The loss of something that had a profound impact on their lives, knowing that these companions mattered to a lot of people outside of the immediate family, and, their willingness to share with them the loss, says a great deal about their character and mindfulness of others. Again, Blessings to you and yours. And, to all the Substack family.
Love Hazel at first sight like my own “Splenda” who can’t ever wait for a treat or to go out for her sniffing walk!
Thank you for your much needed post reminding us about how compassion, dignity, and kindness matter in this world and especially in our leaders.
Your beagle is adorable. I have had beagles for almost 25 years now and just love them. When I suddenly lost the first beagle I raised from a puppy I was heartbroken and devasted. That grief prompted me to start oil painting again after not painting for 30 years while raising my children. I poured all my grief and pain into the painting of my Gracie. Now the painting sits by my chair in my den. Other people who saw it asked me to paint their dogs which led to creating a website of my work. If you are interested in seeing the painting of my Gracie or other work, you can find my website here: https://jlponder3.wixsite.com/website