More words and phrases

Here' more words or phrases I've come to dislike.

The new normal - Everything now is "the new normal". A rough winter - it's the new normal. A dry summer - it's the new normal. Floods - it's the new normal. Now everything can be "the new normal".

Over 27,000,000 will be affected by this weather event. So what does that mean to me? Is it going to affect me? Weathermen love to hype things and this is their latest hype.

Shelter in place - This is being used now when ever something dangerous (or not so dangerous) is going on in a certain area. Why can't they just say "stay inside". I think most people know what that means.

Pets

Pets are a big part of many person's lives. They become part of the family and are always there when you need them. They give unconditional love and expect nothing in return besides food and water and maybe a walk every day.  Because their lives are so much shorter than ours, it's inevitable that we will outlive our pets. This year, it has happened to both Susan and I. My dog Shelby was 16 years old. She was a golden retriever and has got me through some of my hardest times. She was always there to greet me every day when I came home from work with a wagging tail and a playful jump. I had her since she was a puppy and she was always there for me. Yes, she could be a pain at times. She would sit by the table while we were eating with those sad eyes just begging for a scrap of food. And it seemed like she wanted to go out at the most inconvenient times like in the middle of a movie I would be watching right at a crucial part of it. And she had a habit of wanting to play or go out or go for a walk every night around 7pm. As Shelby aged, things started going wrong with her. He hips got so bad this year that she would fall down and couldn't get back up. It was getting harder for her to even squat to go to the bathroom without falling. Her eyesight was failing too and I don't believe she could hear any more. So this February, I made the decision to put her down. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made but I knew it was for the best. I just couldn't watch her suffer any more. So on February 26, 2015 I brought her to the vet and put her down. It was so hard to go back home to and empty house and have to put all of her things away. The next day, my dad died. It was one of the saddest weeks in my life. But I have to think that Shelby and my Dad are together keeping each other company.

And if that wasn't sad enough, Susan had to put her cat Sofie down this past weekend. Sofie was 19 years old and had some of the same problems Shelby had, especially the hip condition. And the past couple of weeks she was hardly eating and losing weight. Susan had the same decision to make and she decided it was time for Sofie to be put down. She felt the same way as I did. She didn't want to see Sofie suffer any more.
Sofie and Shelby were never the best of friends but they tolerated each other. So no our house is pet-less. We're not sure when we'll get another cat or dog. It will take some time I'm sure.

Rest in peace Shelby and Sofie. You were loved and are most surely missed.