It's happened to the best of us. One minute you are happily chowing down on some delicious noms, and then the next instant -- bam! Food is on the ground. The emotions that follow can be overwhelming, and they follow a pattern.

Stage 1: Abject Horror

It's the fatal moment. The food has left your control.Gasp. Thoughts rush through your mind at lighting speed. Do you grab it? Wait for it to hit the ground and then grab it? Should you just let it fall?

By the time you decide on a choice of action, the food has hit the floor. The thud on impact reverberates through your very soul.

Stage 2: Disbelieving Anger

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooo....." Your screams of anger echo through the room, bouncing off the walls like the remnants of your shattered being. "Whyyyyy....." you wail, but to no avail.

Stage 3: Overwhelming Grief

You break down into uncontrollable sobbing, weeping bitter tears for the love that could have been. Alas, sweet morsel, thine small corpse will be sorely missed.

Stage 4: Irrational Thinking

But wait, perhaps the morsel can yet be saved. Yes, yes, there's definitely no dog hair on this food even though the floor is covered with it. The chip wasn't even on the floor that long. Ah, germs can't move onto things that quickly.... right? You probably wouldn't get sick even if there were germs already on it. You should just eat it.

Stage 5: Reluctant Resignation

But alas, your rational self takes over and you realize that there is nothing to be done. The beautiful, beautiful food is no more, resting with the dust, and germs and dog hair. You must let it go. You sigh, and hide your face in sorrow.

Stage 6: Multiplied Hunger

Suddenly the rest of your food doesn't look that filling, and hunger pangs shoot through your stomach. "Foood," your stomach growls, and you stuff your face with the remaining food before any more can fall to the floor. Then, naturally, you go hunting for more food.

Happy eating and may the odds be ever in your favor!