– I don’t like adopting animals – he said – But what is human is human. I am an old man and I prefer these traditional formulas and way of thinking. Even saying that even the most beloved dog has died will be alien to me. No, the dog unfortunately died – he added.
The professor prefers “traditional formulas and ways of thinking” and of course has every right to do so. However, when we read these words in our editorial office, it quickly turned out that we think completely differently. Several of us want to share our stories.
Claw
Pazur was a cat that was loved by everyone who met him. Sociable, fond of cuddling, talkative – he always made himself known loudly. He died after a short but violent illness. He passed away while I was holding him in my arms. We still feel sadness and emptiness after his departure – and we will always feel that way. I am certain that Pazurek “died” and not “died”. The latter word would never have crossed my throat.
Magdalena Rudnik, publisher of the Gazeta.pl home page
The first photo shows Pazur shortly before his death, the second – Pazur in full strength photo: Magdalena Rudnik / Gazeta.pl
Have
Maja was like Sunday at the Main at Młynarski’s – for all the sadness, for short breath, for the flux of feelings and the lack of a friend. She came to me as an adult dog, after living in a pseudo-kennel and a shelter. We spent seven years together.
Maja passed away, it would never have occurred to me to say that she was dead.
Wiktoria Beczek, journalist and publisher of Gazeta.pl
Have photo: private archive
Tytus, Toto, Dudus, Filip
My dogs died. Tytus (age 13) was with me for 2 months. Toto (age 16) – 3 years. Duduś (age 17) passed away after 1.5 years, Filip (age 18) after 3 years. They died as a result of diseases that were associated with suffering, but they passed away loved, cared for and wanted. It was not always like this in their lives, but I did everything to make their old age dignified. The word “dying” takes away this dignity. There is no reason for our language to reflect contempt for these wonderful creatures. We have various traditional behaviors and expressions, not all of them are worth maintaining – saying that animals “dye” and do not deserve to “die” is one of them.
Sylwia Olczak, deputy editor-in-chief of Gazeta.pl for multi-channel
Sylwia and Dudus photo: private archive
Peas
I am not a litigant who will now write deceitfully how much I once respected Professor Bralczyk and how now the professor has lost all of my respect and how much he hurt me with his statement about animals dying. I will only write that this could have been said by a person who did not have the luck of being attached to their pet. And just as Jerzy Bralczyk has every right to use language however he wants, so as a dog lover I can freely talk about our beloved Groszek, who died prematurely as a result of an insidious disease. And apart from that, I wish everyone such a nice pet, with whom you will experience so many heart-melting situations that you will automatically start talking about him as a person.
Rafał Madajczak, editor-in-chief of Gazeta.pl
Peas photo: private archive
Wanda
Wanda could tell when something hurt. When the dentist pulled out my wisdom tooth and I was lying in bed with a swollen face, she was lying next to me. She hunted moths and flies, so in the summer I could always have my windows open. No mosquito buzzed around my ear at night. If I put my face close to hers, she would lick my nose. She once entered my keyboard and sent a strange string of characters to several hundred people in the editorial group chat. And she was there. She was always there in the best and the worst moments. She was my friend.
When she passed away, I couldn’t calm down in front of the vet’s office. I remember it was very warm. And I don’t remember what I did that summer.
Professor Bralczyk said in an interview that “we should be open to what changes in language”. And I wish Mr. Bralczyk such openness to other people’s emotions. Because Wanda died. Period.
Ewa Walas, Head of Brand Development at Gazeta.pl
Wanda and Eva photo: private archive
Baloney
I don’t have a picture of Bujda because she died in the pre-digital era. But I remember every spot on her fur, every doggie expression, every sound she made, every smell. I remember how she looked into my eyes with a look that said “you’re perfect for me and I love you unconditionally” (I know that every dog owner knows that look). To this day I can’t think calmly about the night she died. Even though it was twenty years ago. And I couldn’t help her, or ease her suffering. I also can’t help but look away when I pass the clinic where it happened (it just so happens to be near our editorial office, on Gagarina Street).
Professor Bralczyk was one of my lecturers at university. An authority. Despite this, I believe that the place of expressions such as “died like a dog” is in the dustbin of history. Right next to sayings like “when a husband doesn’t beat his wife, her liver rots”. Or “dark as a Negro’s a**”. Not all traditional formulas and ways of thinking are worth continuing.
Agata Kalińska, head of the New Trends department at Gazeta.pl
If you would like to share your stories with us, please write to us at news@grupagazeta.pl
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
