A sad day for some dogs in Canada

A Wake up Call for Canada!

Yesterday was one of the scariest days of my life

I was driving in downtown Ottawa and had to dodge dozens of police cars and SWAT trucks driving up against me. I had no clue what was going on and then suddenly the radio announced the shooting at our National War Memorial that was just blocks away from me. First I heard that was that a reservist soldier who was doing honorary sentry duty at the cenotaph was gunned down. Then the gunner made his way to our Parliament, blowed his way through security and started to blast 30-50 bullets. He was doors away from taking away our entire legislative body. He was gunned down and killed by a very courageous single person. Who survived the attack. Then hours and hours and hours later, my city was in lockdown. People not allowed to leave their office building, because of concerns of multiple terrorists. Concerns that more gunmen had infiltrated other buildings . I could not stop think about my friends in government, staying sheltered in lockdown and not knowing what was really going on. None of us did.

Today all is stable. The terrorist was shot dead, and no others identified. But this is the 2nd attack in 2 days on Canadian Forces in our homeland by radicals.

The world has just closed in on me. This is now very real and serious and has changed my viewpoint on international policy entirely.
 
It's so very sad that you have no idea where or from whom this craziness is going to surface. Certainly you don't expect to hear it from Canada. Our sympathy to all of you for your loss. Sadly, we are all too familiar with these things in the U.S.
 
As an American, I have lost my best childhood friend when he was in a Blackhawk shot down. I was a teacher on 911 and put on a brave face for the kids while trying to cope with the day the world changed forever. I remember the first post-911 day when I heard a plane fly overhead. I have feared them to some small degree since. Since then, I have prayed while friends' children and my own family's young ones served. I have seen the services and the somber processions through my town when a soldier is killed. I literally fear any gathering or event or anything that draws attention. I fear where this is going. I fear for us all.

I am so very very sorry to hear what has happened and I share your grief.
 
Living outside of NYC...terror has unfortunately been a part of me for 14 years now.

I am so so sorry that this is hitting your city. It is not a way to live, and it just sucks that there are radicals out there that change the quality of life for many many good people.

My heart goes out to our Canadian neighbors.
 
Just to be clear.....our Canadian Armed Forces were front and centre in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and the Middle East and hundreds of lives were lost in that effort. The US did not carry this load alone. Canada has always been a dedicated Nato ally and put forth our best to support Nato.

The US has NEVER been alone in this fight.

But this is a first, when Canada has now been targeted directly by ISIL/ISIS and homegrown terrorists are being born and bred here. And now it has hit me mere miles from my home. We had schools and buildings in lockdown.

This is has and never has been a fight about the US. Its a fight about western culture vs. Islam Radicals.

Ok.....no more....this has nothing to do with Shelties....but a an emotional couple of days. I felt I just needed to respond to the original post.
 
We have to remember those whose lives were taken or changed by radical extremists by standing for the freedoms they fought and died for. This means that we judge, not by group, but by actions. Let us all pray for the strength and wisdom we will need.
 
I think, by the examples we Americans shared, we are just trying to say that we understand what you are feeling. I don't think anyone (certainly not me) meant to imply we got it worse or that it was all about us. Many many countries have stood these many years against terror and tyranny and have lost lives on the battlefield and through such horrendous acts of terrorism at home too.

So what I mean is from the terror and war experiences that have touched me personally, I understand completely and share in the anger, fear, grief, and deep overwhelming sense of panic that this attack on an innocent young man on home soil brings to you, Barb, and everyone in Canada.
 
Thank you for your support. It is no longer one country affected - it is us all. We stood behind America in 2001. You are standing beside us today.

I know when I came home on Wednesday, really upset, my dogs stuck really close to me, trying to comfort. That night, the three all slept on the bed, glued as tight to me as they could get. Terrorism affects not just us, it affects our beloved pets because it is affecting us.

When I was 12, back in 1970, the worst I thought we faced with the FLQ crisis in Quebec, with separatists kidnapping two officials and one dying in capitivity. The world is a whole different place these days.

Again, we stand together. We will not forget. Thank you once more for your words and support of all countries affected.
 
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