Gilbert

 

When I hear a news story that is so devastating, I simply cannot take it in with one sitting. It might take days, even months to read the whole story. I still cannot read about Sandy Hook and Uvalde. I cannot stomach the deaths of children.

This extends to animals as well. I'm sorry if you disagree or cannot fathom that. I grieve for them because they are the true innocents.

Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark and their dog, Gilbert, will lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol.

They were gunned down execution style by a right wing, religious fanatic. I won't say his name. 

Gilbert, a four year old golden retriever was meant to be a service dog. He failed. Not because he was aggressive or lazy, but because he was just too friendly. The Hortman's then adopted Gilbert. He stood by their side as his family was executed. 

I haven't heard much about Representative Hortman in the news lately. Too many other doom and gloom stories in the news to rail about.

The reality is we will forget their names, we will move on and they will be another tragic event in American history, like Sandy Hook and Uvalde.

I don't know why I will think about Gilbert and cry the hardest. I think I'm a decent person who hasn't grown to hate my fellow man so badly that I would choose to aim a gun at their head and shoot them, but, I have grown numb to the deaths. 

Goodbye, sweet boy.