Thank you so much for this thread, lady red. It's hard to believe this is happening and I so wanted to talk with other bloggie friends tonight.
I was just looking at some comments Aridog had made about downhill racing. In my head is that happy picture he shared with us all from his daughter's wedding, such a proud dad.
I thought this was going to be about Orlando. Or about Tel Aviv.
But then it hit home as I caught up with my emails after the Shavuot festival. This is so awful, so heart-rendingly sad. The internet is just not going to be the same without Aridog's trenchant views on the state of the world, or his insights into American history. And horses. And dogs.
Prayers for Aridog, and for Judi and his daughter.
It's been a horrible, not good, very bad week Anne.
The terror attacks in Tel Aviv and Orlando are horrendous.
I wonder when gays will wake up and realize that Islamic terrorists are not their pet poodles, but rather rabid rottweilers intent on their utter destruction. If this massacre doesn't do it, I don't know what will.
Dear and precious friends of Richard, Aridog, Dick, you have lost a wonderful, cranky, super intelligent, kind beyond measure friend but heaven has gained an angel. Your love and prayers I am sure made his transition to a place where there is no pain and suffering a smooth one - one that took place quietly at 7:15 this evening.
He had a good run, didn't he? So many experiences, so many people who benefited from his generous nature....so many of us who looked up to him with love and respect...
I thought of him more as a wise mentor than a big brother, but yes, we all looked up to him with respect. He was so knowledgeable about so many things, and his difficult service in Vietnam gave him special insights that few others have.
Shattered is a good way to describe how I'm feeling too Lady Red.
I feel bereft. I've lost a good friend, a wise advisor, and a big brother. Aridog was my cheerleader when I began my own blog and was a very frequent commenter, always with wise insight. He was always available at the end of an email when we first got our cat Joey and I had no idea what I was doing. I considered him one of my "gentlemen friends of the internet".
May his soul rest next to G-d's throne and bathe in Heaven's holy light.
She can't comment here for some reason, so she asked me to post in her name that she echoes all our sentiments here. She too has lost a good and valued friend and is filled with sorrow at Richard's passing.
lady red, thank you so much for passing on the news of Aridog's passing. It's funny how certain times and places and people make more lasting anchors in your soul than others, and for me, Aridog was one of those people who made an out-sized imprint. I never met him outside of blog interactions (other than one brief e-mail exchange nearly a decade ago in which he was incredibly kind and encouraging). He had such a wide breadth of experience and interests, and an unfailingly level-headed way of explaining and analyzing things from a variety of angles so that they really made sense. I loved reading what he had to say about anything!
My deepest condolences and prayers for comfort for Judi, Kim and so many of you who had the privilege to know him well. As Matt said, the cost of knowing and loving someone is that it hurts when they leave... From the hurt left, he obviously loved and was loved well.
Judi has contacted florrie, and the news is not good. They have said their goodbyes, and hospice has been called.
ReplyDeleteIt's a time for prayer and reflection. And tears.
Thank you so much for this thread, lady red. It's hard to believe this is happening and I so wanted to talk with other bloggie friends tonight.
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at some comments Aridog had made about downhill racing. In my head is that happy picture he shared with us all from his daughter's wedding, such a proud dad.
Yes, a very proud dad!
DeleteI thought this was going to be about Orlando. Or about Tel Aviv.
ReplyDeleteBut then it hit home as I caught up with my emails after the Shavuot festival. This is so awful, so heart-rendingly sad. The internet is just not going to be the same without Aridog's trenchant views on the state of the world, or his insights into American history. And horses. And dogs.
Prayers for Aridog, and for Judi and his daughter.
-annie
It's been a horrible, not good, very bad week Anne.
DeleteThe terror attacks in Tel Aviv and Orlando are horrendous.
I wonder when gays will wake up and realize that Islamic terrorists are not their pet poodles, but rather rabid rottweilers intent on their utter destruction. If this massacre doesn't do it, I don't know what will.
Gutted. Just gutted.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we should add Aridog's name to the Emeritus list.
ReplyDeleteSad news, indeed.
Not quite yet, dear friend. Miracles do happen.
DeleteFrom Judi:
ReplyDeleteDear and precious friends of Richard, Aridog, Dick, you have lost a wonderful, cranky, super intelligent, kind beyond measure friend but heaven has gained an angel. Your love and prayers I am sure made his transition to a place where there is no pain and suffering a smooth one - one that took place quietly at 7:15 this evening.
Thank you for posting that, lady red.
DeleteGod rest his soul. He will never be forgotten. Prayers of comfort go out to Judi and Kim.
ReplyDeleteHere is the last photoshop I made for him which met with his approval.
img:"http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/floranista/aridog_zpsnxlv0iwe.jpg"
Scroll down to visit the thread. I think it was one of the last times Aridog was posting...
A light has gone out of the world tonight.
The world is a poorer place tonight, but in heaven the angels rejoice.
DeleteI'm heartbroken. I shall miss him so very much.
What you wrote is just how I feel too. I thought of him like a big brother.
DeleteYes. A protective and wise big brother.
DeleteHe had a good run, didn't he? So many experiences, so many people who benefited from his generous nature....so many of us who looked up to him with love and respect...
I'm truly shattered.
DeleteI thought of him more as a wise mentor than a big brother, but yes, we all looked up to him with respect. He was so knowledgeable about so many things, and his difficult service in Vietnam gave him special insights that few others have.
DeleteShattered is a good way to describe how I'm feeling too Lady Red.
He has given me great advice through the years, and was always there for me to talk to. He was so...empathetic. And like you said, insightful.
DeleteWhat can we say? The solace I find is in knowing we are sad because we had a great person in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all incredibly lucky (and blessed) to have had the honor of being his friend. He WAS a great person, wasn't he? Hugs to you Matt.
DeleteI feel bereft. I've lost a good friend, a wise advisor, and a big brother. Aridog was my cheerleader when I began my own blog and was a very frequent commenter, always with wise insight. He was always available at the end of an email when we first got our cat Joey and I had no idea what I was doing. I considered him one of my "gentlemen friends of the internet".
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest next to G-d's throne and bathe in Heaven's holy light.
Your post is such a sweet tribute to him Anne. He was definitely a gentleman!
DeleteI've been corresponding with cba about this.
ReplyDeleteShe can't comment here for some reason, so she asked me to post in her name that she echoes all our sentiments here. She too has lost a good and valued friend and is filled with sorrow at Richard's passing.
Please give her all the best, from all of us. I know that she and Richard were very close, and that she must feel his passing with deep sadness.
DeleteJust saw the final email. I am in tears. He was one of the very best people I ever knew.
ReplyDelete(don't know how to change my nic)
ReplyDeleteRIP Aridog. You were definitely one of the best and most liked folks that I knew in this virtual world.
Prayers for strength and healing for those that have been left behind by your passing.
-Right Wing Conspirator
lady red, thank you so much for passing on the news of Aridog's passing. It's funny how certain times and places and people make more lasting anchors in your soul than others, and for me, Aridog was one of those people who made an out-sized imprint. I never met him outside of blog interactions (other than one brief e-mail exchange nearly a decade ago in which he was incredibly kind and encouraging). He had such a wide breadth of experience and interests, and an unfailingly level-headed way of explaining and analyzing things from a variety of angles so that they really made sense. I loved reading what he had to say about anything!
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences and prayers for comfort for Judi, Kim and so many of you who had the privilege to know him well. As Matt said, the cost of knowing and loving someone is that it hurts when they leave... From the hurt left, he obviously loved and was loved well.
Hugs all around.
RIP Aridog. May G-d bring comfort and solace to Judi and Kim and everyone who loved him.
ReplyDeleteHe was a good and decent man, and I shall miss him.
ReplyDeleteI like, or should I say I appreciate the items in memory of Aridog.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Matt. I was hoping they would help us along in the grieving process.
Delete