How Much Should I Spend to Keep My Elderly Dog Alive?

What do you ethically owe a devoted pet? [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP4Q2AWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9TUEmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGY2M0ODlhMjgtODJhYi01NGIyLThhM2ItNzBmNTg2OWVjMDNmJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTY2JmxpPU1BJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQV8yMDIyMDczMFcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ [The New York Times Magazine](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TOaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VjdGlvbi9tYWdhemluZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) July 30, 2022 [[Article Image] Illustration by Tomi Um](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNi9tYWdhemluZS9wZXRzLWV1dGhhbmFzaWEtZXRoaWNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The Ethicist How Much Should I Spend to Keep My Elderly Dog Alive? The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on how to do right by our pets as they reach the end of life. By Kwame Anthony Appiah](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNi9tYWdhemluZS9wZXRzLWV1dGhhbmFzaWEtZXRoaWNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) I am a 65-year-old single retired woman who has sufficient means to take care of herself, though I need to watch my budget. My 15-year-old dog has been largely healthy for much of his life. I really love him, but I can see that in the next year or two there will be hard choices about how much money to spend on his care as he ages. I grew up in a farm environment with parents of limited means. We were always kind to our animals, but they were not family members. My entire family believes in quality of life over quantity — so much so that my mom and her sisters chose quality over quantity at the ends of their lives. I also have a strong practical bent, which is why I saved enough for a comfortable retirement during 35 years of working and despite some less happy events like divorce and serious medical issues. But I know the practical doesn’t always carry the day in terms of doing the right thing. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTYzJmxpPU1BJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQV8yMDIyMDczMFcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ My concern is not just the cost of treatment for my dog but also gauging when his suffering is too much. I can afford to spend a fair amount, in that it won’t impair my lifestyle, but I am not comfortable allocating many thousands of dollars to treatments for my aging dog. However, I am concerned with what I ethically owe this very devoted pet. What do you think is the right thing to do? [Read the Ethicist’s response here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNi9tYWdhemluZS9wZXRzLWV1dGhhbmFzaWEtZXRoaWNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Subscribe Today We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. [Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TaaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpcHRpb24_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD05OVE5OSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-1) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTM1MzM5JmxpPU1BJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQV8yMDIyMDczMFcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ THIS WEEK’S MAGAZINE [[Article Image] Erika Larsen/Redux, for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjIvMDcvMjcvbWFnYXppbmUvYmFyYmFkb3MtY2xpbWF0ZS1kZWJ0LW1pYS1tb3R0bGV5Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The Barbados Rebellion: An Island Nation’s Fight for Climate Justice The Caribbean is trapped between crushing debt and a climate disaster caused by rich nations. Prime Minister Mia Mottley is battling for a fairer system. By Abrahm Lustgarten](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP4QEAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2ludGVyYWN0aXZlLzIwMjIvMDcvMjcvbWFnYXppbmUvYmFyYmFkb3MtY2xpbWF0ZS1kZWJ0LW1pYS1tb3R0bGV5Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] Djeneba Aduayom for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yMi9tYWdhemluZS9rZWtlLXBhbG1lci1ub3BlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The Gag Is: Keke Palmer Is a Movie Star With a face that launched a thousand GIFs, the actress is bringing her expressive range to “Nope,” Jordan Peele’s latest social thriller. By Niela Orr](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yMi9tYWdhemluZS9rZWtlLXBhbG1lci1ub3BlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] Jocelyn Lee for The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjIvMDcvMjYvbWFnYXppbmUvam9zaHVhLXNwcmllc3RlcnNiYWNoLXdyb25nZnVsLWluY2FyY2VyYXRpb24uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Why Was Joshua Held for More Than Two Years for Someone Else’s Crimes? Honolulu incarcerated the wrong man for more than two years — a miscarriage of justice that shows the cruel inadequacy of America’s approach to mental health. By Robert Kolker](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP4QDAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjIvMDcvMjYvbWFnYXppbmUvam9zaHVhLXNwcmllc3RlcnNiYWNoLXdyb25nZnVsLWluY2FyY2VyYXRpb24uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE [[Article Image] Chris Simpson for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Sophia Pappas.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNy9tYWdhemluZS9jaXRydXMtY2hpbGUtZmlzaC1yZWNpcGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Sometimes an Improvised Sauce Is the Best Sauce This recipe for bright and summery citrus-chile fish is just a starting point for your own brilliant creation. By Ligaya Mishan](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNy9tYWdhemluZS9jaXRydXMtY2hpbGUtZmlzaC1yZWNpcGUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [[Article Image] Photo illustration by Ricardo Santos](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNy9tYWdhemluZS9wcmlzb24tbGlmZS10aWt0b2suaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Screenland Why Does the Prison-Life Content on TikTok Feel So Familiar? Cooking, life advice, bored dancing, workout tips — on social media, you’re reminded that incarceration is a pretty common slice of American life. By Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNy9tYWdhemluZS9wcmlzb24tbGlmZS10aWt0b2suaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [[Article Image] Illustration by Julian Glander](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNi9tYWdhemluZS9ub25wbGF5ZXItY2hhcmFjdGVycy12aWRlby1nYW1lcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Letter of Recommendation Why I Care More About Nonplayer Characters Than About Some Ex-Lovers The members of gaming’s subordinate caste flicker with the humanity of their developers. By Mac Schwerin](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yNi9tYWdhemluZS9ub25wbGF5ZXItY2hhcmFjdGVycy12aWRlby1nYW1lcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [[Article Image] Illustration by R. O. Blechman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yOC9tYWdhemluZS9wb2VtLXN1bW1lci10ZXJyb3IuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Poem: Summer Terror This poem subverts expectations right away and contains a peculiarity around every corner. By Sandra Lim and Victoria Chang](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yOC9tYWdhemluZS9wb2VtLXN1bW1lci10ZXJyb3IuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [[Article Image] Illustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yOC9tYWdhemluZS9qdWRnZS1qb2huLWhvZGdtYW4tb24tc2F0aW4tc2hlZXRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Judge John Hodgman on Satin Sheets A couple disagrees about which side should go up. By John Hodgman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0T5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMi8wNy8yOC9tYWdhemluZS9qdWRnZS1qb2huLWhvZGdtYW4tb24tc2F0aW4tc2hlZXRzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter ([@NYTmag](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9ueXRtYWc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)) or check us out on [Instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TBaHR0cDovL2luc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20vbnl0bWFnP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up [here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvbWFnYXppbmU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. [Download Audm for iPhone or Android](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0S7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXVkbS5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-tracking_unit-2) Need help? Review our [newsletter help page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, [unsubscribe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VnL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlL01BLzE3MjNhZThlNTliYWNlMTFhZmQ0OGE3ODg3NzE0ZTBhZDk5ZmIxYzgzODAxYTkxYWZhYWIwMWZlOTUyOTgzY2FmMWE2ZTlkZmQwYTA1NzkzMTBiYmRkYzg5MGY5ZjE2ZD9lbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmc2VuZF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MVcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) or [manage your email preferences](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZW1haWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). [Subscribe to The Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OVJYNzgmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Get The New York Times app](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VydmljZXMvbW9iaWxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Connect with us on: [twitter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TAaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9ueXRtYWc_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0THaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9ueXRtYWcvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTUyJmVtYz1lZGl0X21hXzIwMjIwNzMwJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTY4MDU4Jm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTAwMDIyJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Change Your Email](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TSaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtL2VtYWlsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Privacy Policy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9jb250ZW50L2hlbHAvcmlnaHRzL3ByaXZhY3kvcG9saWN5L3ByaXZhY3ktcG9saWN5Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NTImZW1jPWVkaXRfbWFfMjAyMjA3MzAmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9NjgwNTgmbmw9dGhlLW5ldy15b3JrLXRpbWVzLW1hZ2F6aW5lJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMDAwMjImdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmLgaQjlYh8ai1xSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Contact Us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtYmVyY2VudGVyL2hlbHAuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[California Notices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHJpdmFjeS9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5vdGljZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD01MiZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD02ODA1OCZubD10aGUtbmV3LXlvcmstdGltZXMtbWFnYXppbmUmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEwMDAyMiZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYuBpCOViHxqLXFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [LiveIntent Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0ReaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vcG93ZXJlZC1ieT90ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMFcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[AdChoices Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRkx41pP0ReaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vYWQtY2hvaWNlcz90ZT0xJm5sPXRoZS1uZXcteW9yay10aW1lcy1tYWdhemluZSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9tYV8yMDIyMDczMFcDbnl0Qgpi4GkI5WIfGotcUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018