I am at an age where hearing of so many people out of work does disturb me. Everytime I go out the door usually the amount of money spent for normal things now seems high. On reflection that may be an understatement.

A little adversary is supposidly good for us. It could instead become otherwise in this enviroment. I believe your system is based or has been based on full employment in the past. Remember I am a Canadian.

That was given up as being impractical here some years ago. What that evolved into is neither fair or practical.

The only ones to attempt to do it well and succeeded from what I know were the french. They simply acknowledged the fact and took measures to accomidate the reality without any stigmatation attached. Tackling things head on is not the north american way it seems.

People want to call this socialization. The fact is without it there becomes too large a gap between the haves and have nots. We are not all equal nor do we have the same circumstances over the years. The result of that reality is hitting home now. Either things in general start to work better or changes are overdue. We as a family are a have in my opinion by the way.

Some people will work hard and lose what they actually worked for due to no fault on their part. Sometimes working very hard and economising for a lot of years. After all we do not formally educate people to be resiliant enough or how to roll with the punches. Those things were always compulsory learning from my parents and grandparents when young.

Sorry to hear about the declining health of your dog as well. One of the two of ours is now ten. Still in good health yet innevatable for the downside to set in at some point. The other one is five.

At least we will probably not be replacing them as there is an even chance that we will be gone by then ourselves.

There in life will almost always be adversary from time to time. For example my wife had a bad heart attack early this past summer. It was touch and go for awhile. At least it was caused by something that could be repaired.So there was an upside.

My wife still and always has meant a lot to me. I can only hope she has felt the same towards me. I have learnt man is indeed flexiable. You can live in reasonable harmony with an alien being of your choice. Although I have never been convinced if it was really your choice.

Overall our many pets over the years have lived out their lives as an integral part of our family. I would not have wanted to have experienced not having them. The sad endings are always there. At least the vast majority lived out their natural life span.

I can only pass along my best wishes for the forthcoming year to you and all others on this site. I think your dog will be with you for quite awhile yet. Plus pass on peacefully when the time occurs. Congenital heart failure is managable to some extent as you know. At this time it sounds like you really need the company.

The wife, myself and pets are quite content to spend a quiet new years eve at home this year. Bellweather of future years to come I expect. A good assortment of various food is set out on the table to nibble on when the urge occurs. It would be nice if a few out there alone this evening also where here.

I walk over to the keyboard to type a few thoughts from time to time.. We have a large crowd in for new years dinner every year as well. Since no snow is expected till the next day attendance will be good. It is a tremendous amount of work for the wife. Although she will have it no other way. Again best wishes to all in the forthcoming year.