Alison J. Stein
Very Curious Mind/ Under Construction
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Words

What you're looking at here is a place for my occasional casual writing.

My relationship with writing is long -- you can see my properly published articles and essays here -- and complicated. There are seasons where I feel very "writer-y" and those that I don't. So expect long pauses in updates, satisfaction certainly not guaranteed.

To Whom it May Concern

As you are aware, my dog Maggie died on May 18th, 2025, otherwise known as the worst day of my life.

I write in strenuous complaint and protest. How is it possible that a dog like Maggie could be designed to fit my heart like a puzzle piece and then somehow not live as long as I will? This is a serious design flaw. At the very least, you should have designed her heart to beat with mine or her dad’s or her brother’s, until the last one eventually stops.

And yes I am aware that we made the decision that literally stopped her heart, and that she was a senior dog. But frankly it is outrageous that she had a brain tumor which we most certainly did not request. We did not want that. Why was it there? It was beyond totally unnecessary.

Your carelessness has created a gaping hole in our lives. It is hard to make her brother Finn sad— until now he has been the world’s happiest Husky, reveling even in being outraged. But he is depressed and confused and will only eat corn tortillas. He has canceled his evening lecture series indefinitely, with no firm date for resumption. I can’t blame him for this decision, he’s only known life with Maggie in his four years. I will simply not begin to contemplate that Finn was built with the same egregious design flaw — but trust that you will be hearing from me on that issue at a future date.

This has caused irreparable harm. The house is too quiet and has more oxygen then we need. The air that does exist seems to be filled with thumbtacks and hot lava.

Every day household functions have become painful. There is now no one to carefully inspect our groceries. No one to ensure that the bathroom is safe and guarded when occupied. I have had to use a heating pad for my sore back, when Maggie’s nightly body warmth was far superior. These are just examples, the full list is endless.

Maggie wasn’t perfect. She was bossy and demanding. She’d had a hard life before she came to us, and faced breed discrimination. But anyone who even spent a few minutes with her, and sometimes people who had only seen her photos, accurately remarked on her sweetness. She was simply the best heart I have ever known, and losing her is quite literally unacceptable.

I do not want a replacement. I do not want a refund. I do not want an explanation. I just want my Maggie back, restored to health and happy.

Thanks for your time and prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Alison J. Stein

Alison J. Stein