436 thoughts on “through the fish-eyed lens of tear stained eyes”

1. oh, i’m so very sorry.
   that sucks.

2. So sorry for your loss, Wil; losing a pet is harder than we tend to acknowledge. I’m glad that you got to share Ferris with so many of us over the years.

3. I’m so sorry for you loss Wil. This is of course the hardest part about being a pet owner. It’s almost like there’s a horrible contract you sign when you take responsibility for a pet. You take all the joy, laughter, and unconditional love, always knowing that in the end you’ll out live them. But you sign it in a second and never look back…because that’s love. I hope the pain that your family is feeling heals, and that you’re all left with wonderful memories and the knowledge that you gave Ferris just as much happiness as she gave you.

4. I’m so sorry for your loss. You guys gave him a really good life.

5. I’m writing this through my own tears, Wil.
   I’m so sorry. My 14-year-old cat died last year, and it was truly the deepest and most severe grief that I have ever felt in my entire life.
   I was with him when he was euthanized. It didn’t make me feel better, but I like to think that he was comforted by my presence. I’m sure Ferris was relieved that you were with him.

6. Damn Wil, that’s F’d up man. All I can say is that even though you didn’t benefit from being there at the end, I’m pretty sure it made her feel better. All my best to you and yours.

7. Wil, I am SO sorry to hear that you lost Ferris! My heart is breaking for you right now. I know how bad it feels when you lose a pet you love and who has been such a wonderful part of your family. I want you to know you’re in my thoughts. I know that Ferris loved you as much as you loved her. I wish I had the perfect words but all I can do is cry with you.

8. Oh Wil, I’m sorry to hear of Ferris. Your stories of Ferris over the past several years have been some of my favorite reads. The emotional connections that we have with out pets are often stronger than those who we call the best of friends. I can’t feel your pain, but I can understand your sorrow. I’ll ask my Noodles and Cupper to look up Ferris as a new arrival in dog heaven.

9. I’m so sorry for your loss. Pets love unconditionally, dogs especially; it’s hard to lose a friend like that. Take what solace you can that you got to meet, know and spend so much time with him. Take Care.

10. Dear Wil, I am so sorry about Ferris. The emptiness is terrible. Clearly, your family and Ferris were blessed by each other. May your memories give you more comfort than sadness.

11. Wil, I just want to say “Thanks” to you and your wife for rescuing your dog in the first place. She had a better life because of you and your family. And that’s a gift that many animals don’t get.
    You’ll miss her; But take some comfort that you did right by her. My condolences.
    (PS: Everyone else reading this: Please get your pets spayed or neutered and reduce the unwanted pet population. Thanks.)

12. …I can barely define the shape of this moment in time. And far from flying high in clear blue skies, I’m spiraling down to the hole in the ground where I hide.
    Wil, First time commenter, and long time reader. I’m so utterly sorry for your loss. It’s been just over a year since I had to put my own dog down, and it was the worst memory I have. Ever. I never really understood what the whole ’emptiness in life and love’ really meant until I lost BJ due to age. It’s never the same when you don’t have that unconditional friend and pal that is always happy to see you.
    I can only wish you all the best, and only the fondest memories to fill the hole. That’s about the best medicine there is, and I hope it makes you well again sooner than later.

13. I’m sorry for your loss. I have always been very attached to my pets and have a difficult time when I have to say goodbye. People say that when it is their time to go…they go. It doesn’t make it hurt any less and I hope no one trivializes it for your family.

14. Count me among those who created a Typepad account just to be able to say: Wil, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. My own family’s dog is getting up there in years, and part of me is already missing him even though he’s still here, if that makes any sense. I know exactly what you mean about there being a dog-shaped hole in your life, even though I technically haven’t experienced it myself yet.
    I loved reading about Ferris. She has a cool name, and seemed to be, as you say, an awesome dog. My sincerest condolences to you and yours, good sir.

15. One of the toughest things about sharing our paths with companion animals is that they can only walk with us for a relatively short time. I had to say goodbye to my feline companion of 18 years in February (I had to help him out via someone trained in home euthanasia), so I have an idea of your grief. I hope his soul meets up with you again.

16. I have a dirty little secret, dogs are better than people. The fact that they love us, when we often seem undeserving of such a tremendous gift, is amazing! Will I am sure you gave Ferris a great life and his beautiful soul lives on.

17. Oh shit. Oh man, I’m so sorry, Wil. There’s not much one can say in a moment like this. I’m glad Ferris had an awesome life with you when it could have been so much worse, if your wife hadn’t stopped to help that poor puppy back then – that was probably the most awesome story I ever read on your blog.
    Bless Ferris. I’m so sorry 🙁

18. I’m so sorry to hear about this Wil. My heart goes out to you and your family right now. There are few things worse than losing a beloved pet, imo. It may not make you feel better that you were with her, but at least she was with someone she loved when she went.
    Focus on the good memories, they’ll hurt for a while, but they’ll also help.

19. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family, Wil.

20. How scary and difficult that must have been – and how wrenching it is now. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m in tears thinking about it, and also from remembering the loss of my last dog; and knowing that someday, my Robin-dog will leave me, too. But even though the hole in my heart never really closes, the good memories eventually fill it, and even overflow.
    *That’s* what makes the pain bearable.

21. My sincere condolences. We almost lost our dog this Easter, and as he is 13, we know it’s just a temporary reprieve and we’ll soon be going through the same thing you are. It’s never easy, but try to take comfort in the fact Ferris et al lived the good life while they were with us.

22. I’m so sorry for your loss.
    Losing pets is often more difficult than we expect it to be (seeing as I’ve lost far too many). We imagine we can simply “move on” or that they were “just a pet”.
    Whoever said those things has obviously never lost a friend.
    Good luck and God bless

23. Oh no. I am so sorry. I know just what this feels like. There is no other love like the love we share with our animals.

24. I’m so sorry about Ferris. I loved reading your stories about her. I’m glad you and your family were able to rescue her and give her lots of love while she was with you. *big hugs*

25. I’m so sorry, Wil, for you and your family. I lost my Barney dog 6 years ago, and there are still days when I’ll catch sight of a doggy who looks a tiny bit like him and my heart will seem to jump out of my chest for a moment when I wonder if it was all a horrible dream and he’s actually right there…
    I’m glad Ferris had such a good home, such a caring family. xx

26. Sorry to hear this, Wil. I had never cried so much in my life the night my dog died. Loosing a pet really is like loosing a member of your family.

27. I lost my Radar a couple of months ago to a car going way too fast down our street…yeah, being with him made me feel better for him, but not much for me….after I spent two days in bed my sister and dad dragged me to the shelter.
    Loki is the new guy, after my whole life of having big dogs (Radar was 77 lbs, smallest ever was 55lbs) Loki is a 10 lb chihuahua and the light of my life. Shelter/Rescues are the BESTEST best dogs EVAR!
    Ferris has great ears and a great name and a great family….I feel your loss Wil.

28. I’m so sorry to hear about Ferris. I really can’t think of anything eloquent or graceful to say other than I’m so sorry that you and your family have lost such an amazing friend.

29. ~ I’m spiralling down to the hole in the ground where I hide.
    What a sweet face on that girl!
    Been there / done that, many more times than I should have (I’m a sucker for a sad story with an attached wag). Right now I’ve got my own fish-eyed lenses going, for Ferris, you, your family, and past members of my pack.

30. Wil, I am so very sorry. 🙁 My stepdad had found a stray dog in the mountains one year and brought her home. She was ours for 9 years and then she got really sick. The doctor ended up making a house call and my parents buried her in the backyard and we were all crying our eyes out. You think that losing a pet will never affect you as much as losing a person, but most times it’s almost or equally as hard. You know, its uncanny, but the dogs my parents have had were all found, and it seems to me that they KNOW and try to please us all the more. She knew how much you guys all loved her and you can never ask for more than that. So in honor of Ferris: “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Ferris Bueller)

31. Will I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a dog is liking losing a member of the family and the grief you experience is very harsh and painful. I am so sorry and although you know that he’s in a better place right now, it doesn’t make the pain any easier for you to bear. All I can say is that there are many many people out there whose thoughts are with you. Hope your family are okay in this sad time as well.

32. Bechod, Wil. I’ve lived through 4 cats and I’m not even 30 yet. You poor soul. I’ll be honest–I look forward to your tweets as much for the cast–cat, dog, iTunes, Pandora, Anne–as anything else. My heart’s with you.

33. I’m so very sorry to hear this sad news! Animals can be such wonderful family-members as I’m sure Ferris has been for you, and you for her. It always hurts to lose someone so close to your heart. Love to you and your family.

34. I lost my dog of 10 yrs recently. Don’t listen to anyone who says “why be upset its just a dog!” She was a member of your family, and its normal to hurt when you loose a family member, especially a loving one like a dog who gives so much while asking for so little.

35. No, not Ferris! Oh, Wil, I am so, so sorry! Really, all I can do is offer my sincere, deepest condolences.

36. Oh my God….I am so sorry to hear about your dog. Hang in there is all I know to say.
    Take care,
    Tk

37. Wil, I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember reading your story back in 2001 about how Anne went a different way home and found a dog, and how Ferris got her name. I’ve loved all the stories and tweets you’ve written about her since then. My thoughts are with you and your family.

38. How truly heartbreaking to lose Ferris. He was a steadfast life companion who filled each day with joy and love.
    My sincere condolences on your families loss.

39. Sorry Wil…

40. I’m so sorry for your loss. We love our fur people, and they give us so much in return: loyalty, devotion, unconditional love. I believe that dogs have souls,and I’m sure your Ferris will be waiting for you when it’s your time to re-join him.
    ::pours you a drink:: To a Good Dog.

41. I’m so very sorry, Wil.

42. Those of us who’ve had pets and lost them understand the pain. My condolences to you and your family.

43. Really sorry to hear this sad news, Wil. I’m sure Ferris would’ve stayed with you all for longer if she could’ve…sounds like she was a truly lovely dog. When the shock of all that’s happened these past few hours has faded, you will still have all the happy memories of times you spent with her to comfort you.

44. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I always looked forward to your Ferris stories; I hope that when the pain fades a bit, you’ll be happy to tell us a few more.
    My thoughts are with you and your family.

45. My deepest condolences, Wil. Losing a furchild is so sad.

46. Sorry for your family’s loss Wil. It almost feels like I lost part of my family also, since, you’ve let us in on Ferris’ doings so often here.

47. There is nothing quite like that hurt and pain from losing such a good soul as a dog.
    I hope it starts to hurt less soon.

48. I am really sorry. I think we all loved hearing Ferris stories. I’ve been dealing with grief recently so I am getting it. Take care- my sympathies to you and your family.

49. Dear Wheaton Family including the pets still with you,
    Sincere sympathy, and empathy, as we’ve experienced the loss of furry (and feathered) family members many times over. Animal saps and lovers, we are.
    Your other pets will also be affected, which can make the grief so much more earnest, when you see them looking for their missing friend (or in some cases, worthy adversary).
    It’s a time for being kind to yourselves, there is no one way to grieve. Your photo of Ferris, says it all, and probably then some, to you.
    Some hearts in Pittsburgh, PA are with you.
    Karen & Bill

50. My condolences. Many people have pets that are loved almost like family, and it’s obvious that was the case with Ferris, who was very lucky to have a family like yours to love him the way you did.

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