Helping a friend...
By DE
@DaddyEvil (137142)
United States
April 3, 2016 12:38am CST
I opened the door and stared in disbelief! All I could do was look at the obvious signs of violence done to the old and fragile body. What should have been inside and hidden was so messily exposed to the view of any casual passerby on the street. My daughter, Pretty, walked up behind me and just stared at the wreckage he had become!
I felt weak when the blood left my limbs as shock wracked my frame. As we stared at him, our thoughts seemed to run only sluggishly... Everything seemed so distant and confused.
We KNEW he was old, but we never really thought about what we would do one day when something happened to him.
Yes, we knew what was expected of us at a time like this... but how can you turn someone you love over to the not-so-tender mercies of an institution known for their uncaring treatment of the physically damaged?
How could we live with ourselves knowing that our final memories and nightmares of him could easily show us totally rejecting him when he needed us the most?
Our friend, damaged so badly, was in obvious distress. Not being able to speak had never hindered him when it came to expressing his love for us...
Knowing he didn't have the money his wounds would take, I looked into his old and tired eyes and nodded my head. Pretty seemed to be in agreement. She got up from where she knelt beside his broken body and moved quickly and purposely, gathering supplies we would need.
Working as quickly, but as gently as I could, I began closing the worst of his wounds. With each prick of the needle I took, I could see and feel the pain I brought to him. Inflicting that pain was in his (and our) best interests. (I could hear an almost silent prayer drift out from Pretty's lips, asking for several different things... I am not sure who she was praying to or for, but some of the prayers seemed to be to The Lady and some seemed to be to our friend... )
We found our friend covered in his own gore almost a week ago... No, our friend did not depart this world, quite yet.
His wounds, obviously not stitched by a medical professional, were an always visual reminder of the love and care we put into each knot I used to hold his torn and leaking body together...
As I glance into my living room, I see him sitting uncomfortably in a heavily stuffed chair and KNOW what my answer will always be!
Would you have had the courage to help your friend, or would you have made another choice? His obvious wishes or yours?
(I've tried four times to flip that picture over... I give up!)
53 people like this
45 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
3 Apr 16
in 1999 i sewed up myself - right near the left elbow. Have got rid of the scare of blood, skin and many things.
But the case in question is more critical. Let me find my memories....
Yes, I will go all out to save my friend specially, if he has a connection with my childhood. And the one in discussion, seems to be so dear.
Looking at the image attached, of course, there is no way I will have a heart to let him go - but sadly, I never had any of those as I grew up. I will get some for my baby girl. And if she needs, I will not hesitate playing the doctor.
11 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
3 Apr 16
@vandana7 I had almost no option. Long story, but when you see blood oozing out and you know you have very little blood in you, there does not seem to be too many options. When we meet in person (sometime very very soon) I can narrate you the entire episode and also, the scar will not go...
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
3 Apr 16
Since you were the first to comment, @paigea , I will post the next image here. I do hope it shows up the right way round!
10 people like this
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
3 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil ..You made a fool out of me. It took me this long to figure out that you were talking about these friends. lol. Let me first get to my senses and then I will get back. Right now I am feeling relieved. I thought somebody came to your home some neighbor who was good family friend. And you all were very close to that person.
8 people like this
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
3 Apr 16
I am not sure. If I have the required skills, probably yes, if not definitely no. I would, however, try to seek help of another person. You are trained in some of the medical procedures, and first aid, so you can manage. I can't. I would also be a bundle of nerves. We also need required temperament. I am just the kind of person who gets worked up. I mean I don't have cool head on my shoulders so I would constantly be worked up, confused, and be slow which could be an issue. I would worry about infections. I would worry about loss of blood, and so on not to mention something because of my carelessness. But as far as finances are concerned, I might have managed that. Hook or crook.
8 people like this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
3 Apr 16
@vandana I am having trouble right now because my pc had crashed. I was reading this post when it happened. So, I am liable to blame DE for my pc's current state, right? LOL 
So, I am reduced to commenting through my IPhone right now and when I logged in I saw your suggestion about this very same post. So, if my IPhone crashes down, I am blaming you. 
So, I am reduced to commenting through my IPhone right now and when I logged in I saw your suggestion about this very same post. So, if my IPhone crashes down, I am blaming you.
5 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
You are my hero, you saved that old guys life and he can continue to live happily until the next time...and you will be there for him, I just know will...
6 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Yes, pains, I will be there for him every time something happens to him... This was actually the second time I have put stitches into him. (Although, we do know what happened to him the first time... This time it is a total mystery!)
We don't have any pets and we were home, but in our rooms when whatever happened to him.
We are just happy we could help him... Over the years there have been a couple of our stuffies we couldn't save.
5 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil Its so sad when they have to leave you. I know, I've been there...
5 people like this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
3 Apr 16
I opened the post and stared in disbelief. I looked at the username then at the post then at the date and repeated the process all over again two more times.
Am I seeing it right? Did you really and truly did a discussion of your own? 
LOL I hear you DE. I also helped my friends- a monkey and a little stuffed guy doll. The monkey was depressed. He had lost his smile somewhere. All my silly jokes fell flat with him. He just stared at me. You know I am a curious person. I was also very worried for him. So, I tried finding the source of his sad state. And I felt stupid when I found the source of the problem.
It was staring right in my face all this time. He had a bad hair problem. He was self-conscious of his image and it made him depressed. So, I got out the supplies and fixed his hair for him. I gave them a wash and conditioned them. They were now shiny but still needed some combing. I did that too. And voila! My monkey friend was happy again.
And that little guy? He was very little. Like the size of a hand. He was a cutie. But he had a terrible accident and had his stomach brutally cut open. His enthralls out for everyone to see. It was a horrible day for all of us. But luckily Mom came to the rescue and soon he was as good as new.
I would share their picture. But I don't have my friends with me anymore. I gave them to my nine year old female cousin. She and her twelve year old brother lost their father to a heart ailment last year. They needed them more than me. So, I gathered all my stuffed toys (that also included two puppies, teddy, dollies), packed my bags and moved in with my aunt (Dad's sister) for a couple of months to help out. When I returned I left my friends with my cousins.
LOL I hear you DE. I also helped my friends- a monkey and a little stuffed guy doll. The monkey was depressed. He had lost his smile somewhere. All my silly jokes fell flat with him. He just stared at me. You know I am a curious person. I was also very worried for him. So, I tried finding the source of his sad state. And I felt stupid when I found the source of the problem.
It was staring right in my face all this time. He had a bad hair problem. He was self-conscious of his image and it made him depressed. So, I got out the supplies and fixed his hair for him. I gave them a wash and conditioned them. They were now shiny but still needed some combing. I did that too. And voila! My monkey friend was happy again.
And that little guy? He was very little. Like the size of a hand. He was a cutie. But he had a terrible accident and had his stomach brutally cut open. His enthralls out for everyone to see. It was a horrible day for all of us. But luckily Mom came to the rescue and soon he was as good as new.
I would share their picture. But I don't have my friends with me anymore. I gave them to my nine year old female cousin. She and her twelve year old brother lost their father to a heart ailment last year. They needed them more than me. So, I gathered all my stuffed toys (that also included two puppies, teddy, dollies), packed my bags and moved in with my aunt (Dad's sister) for a couple of months to help out. When I returned I left my friends with my cousins.6 people like this
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
9 Apr 16
@Daljinder ...I am sure, your cousins would be very happy with your dear friends. :)
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
That was a very brave and selfless thing to do for your cousins, @Daljinder ! I don't believe I would have had that much courage!
We have had the babies for many years... they are part of our family...
When we moved into this house the babies rode here buckled into the back seat of the car like real children while the other stuffies I own and the ones I have given to Pretty over the years were consigned to make the move in a storage container... I can't post a picture of any of them because they never were taken out of their container.
They were simply not as important to us as these two are/were.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil Oh! I have soft spot for kids and they were my cousins. So, I gave them away. They needed comfort more than me.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
3 Apr 16
Many a time in my life I have had to perform surgery on one of my children's beloved friends. The worst was a lost eye. Had to make a prosthetic one by stitching a button in its place. Arms left dangling were sewn tight again. Someone got the stuffing knocked completely out of them. Had to find a donor bag of fiberfill to fluff the poor thing up again.
We are the guardians of our fluffy loved ones.
5 people like this
Was your friend gnawed by your pet dog?
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Hello @mammots,
No, the only pets we have are fish, snails and ghost shrimp... None are capable of living outside their tanks.
We honestly don't know what happened to him.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@mammots Uhm... no.... I have a security camera in our living room where the babies live. He was fine one moment and the next his insides were out! Nobody was near him... IDK what caused him to explode!
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Apr 16
Phew, it took me a minute to realize you were talking about a stuffed animal here! Thank God! I have never sewn anything to be honest and probably couldn't.
5 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil Lol I sure would give it my best shot, I am just not sure if they would recognize the stuffy after my attempt though! Aha!
Good thing my husband knows how to sew.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@LovingMyBabies Would you suppose someone who chose the name DaddyEvil is well acquainted with needle and thread? LOL! (I am, but don't tell anyone else, please!)
I feel sure, if the need arose, you would apply yourself to the task with a successful outcome! You might be surprised what you are capable of doing when your child is holding a broken friend and begging you to do something to help it! 
3 people like this
@rebelann (111178)
• El Paso, Texas
5 Apr 16
That kritter is lucky @DaddyEvil mine met the heap many years ago 
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Yes, @rebelann , it was a stuffed critter. He has been living with us for about 23 years now.... He is a VERY good friend, especially if he could put up with Pretty and I for that many years! LOL!
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (458179)
• Switzerland
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil Poor elephant, you did a great job, the elephant looks like new now. I am sorry that the oldest son of your niece took anger out of your things.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@LadyDuck Thank you, Anna!
I was sorry he decided to take his anger out on my things, too... I was trying to help them... My niece was getting divorced again (4 times married and divorced now) and her last husband forced them out with no place to go, so I let them live with me.
(shrug!) He was and is an ungrateful brat... I am happy my daughter isn't like him!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Thank you, Anna! I very much appreciate you taking the time to do that for me!
The little elephant is the one who has had problems twice since they came to live with us 23 years ago. The first time was five years ago (I think.) when my niece and her kids stayed with me for six months while Pretty was in college. (Her oldest son didn't like living here, even though I stayed in my room as much as possible while they were here. He took out his anger on some of my things. He popped a seam on the elephant, so I moved them into my room for the rest of their stay with me.)
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
3 Apr 16
oh dear! what happened in the first place?
4 people like this
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
3 Apr 16
@Drosophila ..He gave an explanation under pgntwo's box.
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
3 Apr 16
@vandana7 I genuinely wonder what happened to the toys in the first place? did they get ripped to shreds if so, who what where how? and Why
3 people like this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
3 Apr 16
It's a good thing your picture is of two stuffed animals. You just about had me going. And while I'm at it, April Fools back at ya. 3 days late.
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I admit I was working at fooling people, but most of you figured it out fairly quickly, @lookatdesktop ...
2 people like this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil I am guilty of being slow at getting things. LOL.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Hello @Ruby3881 ,
I didn't realize you had made the move to myLot as well... Although it does appear you made the move much later than I did!
It is good to see you! I hope you are finding myLot to be a wonderful place to settle?
I have had a few stuffies that were beyond my surgical skills over the years, although I always attempted to heal them while leaving them as much room for a meaningful life as I could...
The two pictured here are special friends so would come in for extreme measures if needed to save their lives...
2 people like this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
5 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil I have only just arrived in the last week, and was very pleased to find you here! Yes, I am settling in well, thanks. It's a fun site
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
4 Apr 16
It looks like a mending job that would even go beyond my skills.I have done some of these types of surgeries. I even gave a one eared elephant from a yard sale an additional ear by taking the one and cutting a contrasting lining and sewing them back. He has continued over the years to split at the seams etc. but he brought much joy to our house.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@GardenGerty He did acquire some major damage to his body and did need better skills than I brought to bear... I simply did the best I could and hoped he wouldn't mind... He survived, with a few ragged scars, but he did survive.
It sounds like you have had much more practice at this type of surgery than I have! (I may bring the next patient to you and ask your help instead of making them suffer with my poor skills!
)
)1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
3 Apr 16
You can delete that image and post this one which I rotated for you
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Thank you, @allknowing , that was very sweet of you! I appreciate it.
3 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
3 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil Good to see You.The picture is upside down as you say.Usually it happens when we upload phone pictures. I am not sure I would have taken so much pains to restore it. Well done both of you.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Good to see you, too, @silvermist !
Thank you!
He is a special personal friend. I had to do everything I could to restore him to as close to new as I was capable of doing...
I've used pictures I've taken with my phone on myLot many times before. I have no idea why they should be turned wrong on this thread! (shrug!)
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Yes, @Jessicalynnt , he is a long-time friend. He needed help. We gave it to him.
3 people like this
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Apr 16
Great story! Not sure if you were fixing an animal or a stuffed one as your picture seems to indicate. Though I'm leaning towards stuffed animal especially as it's sitting in the overstuffed chair in the living room. I've patched up many stuffed animals in my day.
I've patched up many stuffed animals in my day.3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@just4him Yes, I repaired a stuffy!
I HAVE sewed up a living person two times, though.... I didn't take pictures of him, though... He is not as photogenic as my special friend!
(I also think I did a better job of sewing up the stuffy than I did with Todd! LMAO! You can easily tell which one I care about more! 
)
(I also think I did a better job of sewing up the stuffy than I did with Todd! LMAO! You can easily tell which one I care about more! )2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@just4him No, not quite what I meant there, Valerie... LOL!
I meant I didn't like Todd very well, so I didn't worry too heavily about what the scar I was leaving was going to look like.... I DO care what the scar on my baby looks like, so I took my time and worked as carefully as I could...
Todd is not the only human I like less than a stuffy I've had for 23 years, though! The stuffy is better company and I never feel like he is a waste of good air! I can't say the same for many humans I have met, though!
Thank you!
2 people like this
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Apr 16
@DaddyEvil You care more about stuffed animals than you do humans? You did a good job, I can't tell which one was fixed.
Glad to see you're back.
You did a good job, I can't tell which one was fixed.
Glad to see you're back.3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
3 Apr 16
Well goodness yes you had to help him. I do so hope he is healing nicely.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Other than a few small scars he looks almost as good as new, @fishtiger58 !
I know you must have saved a few of the boys things a time or two yourself!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@vandana7 I did the same with some of my own as well as any Pretty needed tending to, vanny... It isn't like I could take the clothes that needed mending to her mother to fix them... She would throw them straight into the trash!
3 people like this
