Last night I couldn't sleep. My best pal of 48 years died two months ago, and frankly I'll never get over that. One of my other closest friends is in hospice putting on her travelling shoes, and, well, the world. I went on substack and looked for my favourite writers, but was stopped by the photo of the beagle. Someone I like had restacked you so I thought - what the hey - I'll give it a shot. I didn't pay attention to your name and notice your picture. I read the whole thing, laughing and crying. As a dog person and a person person who seems stuck in a perpetual grief wheel these days I was touched by this very human story. Then I realized it was you, someone who had played one of my favourite characters on one my favourite shows. Every couple of years my fella and I look at each other and ask ourselves if we are ready to re-watch West Wing. The last time we did we (well, I) cried through great swathes of it. The comparison to what is happening now in your country (I'm a Canadian - wasn't Donna one for awhile?) is too much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to showing us how it could have been. And much love to you as you navigate this time with your mum.
I don't laugh out loud much when I read a story but this one made it happen multiple times, even with the underlying heaviness of your mom. You're a fantastic storyteller, Janel, thanks for sharing.
Janel you are a great writer!! I was on the plane gagging with you. Love the image of the boys when you tell them to move. Hysterical. And bringing it back to the patience you may have been afforded because of Donna…so touching. The vulnerability expressed through Ollie when you are in the midst of losing. Sending love.
In David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech “This is Water” he counsels the importance of empathy, consciously choosing how we think, remembering compassion for others who may be enduring unseen struggles. I suspect your story like his words will be with me for a long time.
That was gut wrenching and beautiful and funny and sad. Lucky your dog is so cute. I so loved that everyone still loves Donna so much. I am so sorry about your mom. My mom has been sick since July. Being a caregiver is a roller coaster of emotion. My love to you and your mom.
Oh gosh, what a ride to read, I can’t even imagine living it.
First of all, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Not much else can be said, especially coming from a stranger, but if I can offer even an ounce of comfort, I’m happy to say it over and over again.
Secondly, and I will repeat myself yet again, you have such a way with words. So visual and poetic, I truly enjoy reading your posts. Hope it gets easier.
Also, I agree. I also loved you on The West Wing and Donna is also my favorite.
Great piece, I really enjoy your writing. FWIW, our 15mo puppy has never gotten over the motion sickness stage. After he threw up just three doors down, we decided the powerful anti-nausea drugs were a waste of time and gave him some Sileo, an anti-anxiety we had used with our other dogs for thunder storms and fireworks. Now he's never sick and hops in the car somewhat cheerfully instead of acting like he's going in front of a firing squad. (And yes, I did Google, "Can humans take Sileo?" after the last election. The answer is no.)
Oh Janel, I’m so sorry you went through that, especially during an already stressful time. Sounds like you handled it better than most people. Flying with Archie was stressful enough and my heart broke every time I heard her little cries, but I don’t think I would have been able to handle the experience you did with Ollie.
Your writing is truly enthralling and the way you bring the story to life makes it feel as if we were all there watching it happen live and feeling your anxiety. That kind of writing is rare and truly stunning. I hope you write a book one day, but until then I look forward to your next post. 🤩
Here's a woman caught somewhere between an "I Love Lucy" episode (21st century style) and Blanche Dubois (I have always depended on the kindness of strangers). You made me laugh so hard I spilled my coffee-and forget the trip was necessitated by a painful situation. And that's what laughter is good for-getting past pain. In the end, as per usual, Donna saved the day.
Oy - what a roller coaster of a read! Heart-breaking and funny, gut-wrenching and honest. I'm sorry you endured such a nightmare of a trip - but that is a gem of an essay. Every future airplane excursion will seem sheer bliss in comparison - for you AND all your readers. Sending love to you and the family.
I’m so sorry about your mom 💔 Sending lots of love. Loved reading this and your honesty was a breath of fresh air and great way to start my day. I used to have a dog and loved her but nothing could have prepared me for what went down in this story 😭
I'm a flight attendant, preparing to adopt a dog with my wife, and just lost my mom (with whom I shared a strong love of TWW since it aired) in December. Your storytelling is so wonderful, I giggled, I cringed, and I didn't expect to but I cried in the end. Thank you so much for your writing, and for sharing!
As a mama of two beagles, poor Ollie!! “Beagles were gross like that.” Never has there been a more truer statement. 🫂 lots of hugs for your family at this time
Last night I couldn't sleep. My best pal of 48 years died two months ago, and frankly I'll never get over that. One of my other closest friends is in hospice putting on her travelling shoes, and, well, the world. I went on substack and looked for my favourite writers, but was stopped by the photo of the beagle. Someone I like had restacked you so I thought - what the hey - I'll give it a shot. I didn't pay attention to your name and notice your picture. I read the whole thing, laughing and crying. As a dog person and a person person who seems stuck in a perpetual grief wheel these days I was touched by this very human story. Then I realized it was you, someone who had played one of my favourite characters on one my favourite shows. Every couple of years my fella and I look at each other and ask ourselves if we are ready to re-watch West Wing. The last time we did we (well, I) cried through great swathes of it. The comparison to what is happening now in your country (I'm a Canadian - wasn't Donna one for awhile?) is too much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to showing us how it could have been. And much love to you as you navigate this time with your mum.
Thank you so much for this sweet, thoughtful comment. I’m so happy you stumbled upon it. 🇨🇦🍁
I don't laugh out loud much when I read a story but this one made it happen multiple times, even with the underlying heaviness of your mom. You're a fantastic storyteller, Janel, thanks for sharing.
Janel you are a great writer!! I was on the plane gagging with you. Love the image of the boys when you tell them to move. Hysterical. And bringing it back to the patience you may have been afforded because of Donna…so touching. The vulnerability expressed through Ollie when you are in the midst of losing. Sending love.
Omg Gretchen!!!! I’m so touched you read and liked and commented. Miss you guys. Thank you.❤️
In David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech “This is Water” he counsels the importance of empathy, consciously choosing how we think, remembering compassion for others who may be enduring unseen struggles. I suspect your story like his words will be with me for a long time.
That was gut wrenching and beautiful and funny and sad. Lucky your dog is so cute. I so loved that everyone still loves Donna so much. I am so sorry about your mom. My mom has been sick since July. Being a caregiver is a roller coaster of emotion. My love to you and your mom.
I read this to my partner, and we both laughed with tears rolling down our faces.
We’re both dog lovers, both past parents of teenagers, both having lost our own parents.
I’ve watched The West Wing either 13 or 14 times. I know I’m not the only one.
We take little 1- or 2-episode bites, because we love the writing and the evolution of the characters so much.
Plus the podcast of all the seasons.
Welcome to Substack. Love to you in support of your mom’s life.
Thank you Linda. What smart, nice people WW fans are! ❤️
Oh gosh, what a ride to read, I can’t even imagine living it.
First of all, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Not much else can be said, especially coming from a stranger, but if I can offer even an ounce of comfort, I’m happy to say it over and over again.
Secondly, and I will repeat myself yet again, you have such a way with words. So visual and poetic, I truly enjoy reading your posts. Hope it gets easier.
Also, I agree. I also loved you on The West Wing and Donna is also my favorite.
Great piece, I really enjoy your writing. FWIW, our 15mo puppy has never gotten over the motion sickness stage. After he threw up just three doors down, we decided the powerful anti-nausea drugs were a waste of time and gave him some Sileo, an anti-anxiety we had used with our other dogs for thunder storms and fireworks. Now he's never sick and hops in the car somewhat cheerfully instead of acting like he's going in front of a firing squad. (And yes, I did Google, "Can humans take Sileo?" after the last election. The answer is no.)
Oh Janel, I’m so sorry you went through that, especially during an already stressful time. Sounds like you handled it better than most people. Flying with Archie was stressful enough and my heart broke every time I heard her little cries, but I don’t think I would have been able to handle the experience you did with Ollie.
Your writing is truly enthralling and the way you bring the story to life makes it feel as if we were all there watching it happen live and feeling your anxiety. That kind of writing is rare and truly stunning. I hope you write a book one day, but until then I look forward to your next post. 🤩
Here's a woman caught somewhere between an "I Love Lucy" episode (21st century style) and Blanche Dubois (I have always depended on the kindness of strangers). You made me laugh so hard I spilled my coffee-and forget the trip was necessitated by a painful situation. And that's what laughter is good for-getting past pain. In the end, as per usual, Donna saved the day.
Oy - what a roller coaster of a read! Heart-breaking and funny, gut-wrenching and honest. I'm sorry you endured such a nightmare of a trip - but that is a gem of an essay. Every future airplane excursion will seem sheer bliss in comparison - for you AND all your readers. Sending love to you and the family.
I’m so sorry about your mom 💔 Sending lots of love. Loved reading this and your honesty was a breath of fresh air and great way to start my day. I used to have a dog and loved her but nothing could have prepared me for what went down in this story 😭
I'm a flight attendant, preparing to adopt a dog with my wife, and just lost my mom (with whom I shared a strong love of TWW since it aired) in December. Your storytelling is so wonderful, I giggled, I cringed, and I didn't expect to but I cried in the end. Thank you so much for your writing, and for sharing!
Awww that's so nice. We all have so much in common don't we? Thank you for reading. ❤️
Oh I have tears, from laughter, from sympathy. We also have a beagle, but after reading this we will NEVER fly with her.
You are a gorgeous writer.
As a mama of two beagles, poor Ollie!! “Beagles were gross like that.” Never has there been a more truer statement. 🫂 lots of hugs for your family at this time