T.C, that was the best “atomic dog” ever. So often on this forum we talk about how a true man should react to things like training difficulties, nutritioal imbalances, women concerns, career problems, physical threats, social injustices, and any number of tangible day to day issues. However, the one subject that seems almost tabboo for men to discuss is emotinal health and personal growth. This is really too bad, as how a man deals with emotionally stressful situations is what truly defines him. It’s difficult for a man to realize that sometimes he just has no control over what’s happening around him. To accept and deal with that loss of control is almost impossible. We just want to fix shit, that’s what we do. Many men feel that putting on a stoic face and ignoring emotional pain is the “manly way” to deal with stressful situations. I believe this is not dealing with the issue at all. Yes, a man has to face a stressful situation head on, but he should also live into the emotinal side of it to. How does a person evolve and grow if does’nt allow himself to feel the pain? It’s only when we can face and live into emotional pain that we can appreciate the good times, when they come. This is when we begin to appreciate simple, little things more than things like expensive material items or extravegent holidays. As I get older, I find that simple things like early morning walks or watching my dogs play or any number of other simple things, are what really makes me feel alive. Personally, I much prefer the companey of people who have dealt with emotionally tough and trying situations in their life. People who have dealt with real difficulties seem to be much richer in character and know who they are. You basically stated in your editorial that you are going through an almost unbearablly difficult time right now. What I really appreciated was that you were able to acknowledge that, despite the emotional shit sandwich your experiencing, life in general is pretty good. Other times it just is what it is. I also appreciate how you haven’t lost your sense of humour. As a firefighter, I know that humour is sometimes the best way of dealing with emotional stress. I hope whatever problems your facing are working themselves out. I know it’s a cliche, but sometimes you just gotta take it one day at a time. I hope Toney’s doing well and I hope he’s not part of the difficulty your facing.(I kinda get the sense that he is) Whatever your going through, I’m sure we will all benefit from it with future insightful thoughts in future “atomic dogs”. T.C, thanks for letting us in a little and sharing. Give Toney a big smootch for me.