Hi Fuzzy: Yes, I think I do have some sense of what you're saying here. My spouse & I do have a dog & he is very important to us... my spouse in particular. But, over the years, I have either lost or jettisoned, every other relationship I ever had to the point where now, with the exception of my spouse & our dog, I am completely & absolutely alone. Admittedly this is pretty-much by choice. Over time I have come to the conclusion that no good ever results from me having anything to do with anyone. It always ends up going badly. So as a result I simply choose to keep to myself.

I was struck by your statement that you sometimes wish you could spill out your whole story in one post, but that it will never happen. I often feel likewise. One of the biggest problems I deal with on a day-to-day basis is that there is so much to tell, but no one to tell it to. Some of it I would have to admit is so humiliating that I could never tell it to anyone. When I have tried talking about the parts I can talk about, I always just end up feeling exposed & foolish. I've had a bit more success writing about parts of it anonymously on-line. But it's just bits-&-pieces & it really hasn't helped all that much. Part of this is because I've never found anyone with whom I could genuinely share what has gone on in my life. My spouse doesn't want to hear it. I can't blame her. She didn't sign up for this. Besides, at this point, given my age what difference does it all make anyway? I'm just basically hanging out waiting for the end to arrive.

Yes... hibernation rocks...