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101 Word Short Stories

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Hospice

August 14, 2024 8 Comments

By Greg Nooney

“End-stage kidney disease,” said the vet.

~

Bodhi looks up at me with his pleading feline eyes.

“What do you need?” I ask, wishing he could speak.

Bodhi glances at the window. I carry him outside and set him in the sun, but the wind is strong.

Bodhi stands on wobbly legs, and I reach for him. He gives me a look, so I let him be. Not walking far, he props himself up against the outside of my raised vegetable bed in a sunny spot where the wind can’t reach him.

I lie down next to him, and we wait together.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ed Kratz says

    August 14, 2024 at 7:19 am

    How lovely. So much emotion, so succinct. Well done.

    Reply
  2. Lisa H. Owens says

    August 14, 2024 at 9:53 am

    You made me cry in 101 words. Well done. I think of all the lovely dogs I have been fortunate enough to share my 62 years of life with and grab a kleenex…

    Reply
  3. Paul Scott Wood says

    August 14, 2024 at 10:04 am

    Such a nice story about your cat. I have had to euthanize three cats in my 76 years. Each of them seemed to know the end was near, and I stayed by their side until they had passed. I also have their ashes.

    Reply
  4. Richard Church says

    August 14, 2024 at 3:11 pm

    I sat with dying pets. It is all that you ca do. It let’s you say goodbye and let’s the pet know you love them.

    Reply
  5. Shoshauna says

    August 14, 2024 at 9:05 pm

    Such a moving story. I’ve been through that. It’s tough.

    Reply
  6. Michael Schaper says

    August 15, 2024 at 6:50 am

    This is a lovely, moving story that really pierces the heart. And all done so well in so few words. Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Bud says

    August 15, 2024 at 1:59 pm

    So sad, but so movingly written.

    Reply
  8. Greg Nooney says

    September 2, 2024 at 4:51 pm

    Thanks all for sharing and for our kind words.

    Reply

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