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My Dog Died

June 22, 2021 11 Comments

By Jeffrey Limberg

My dog died today.

Early evening yesterday, we sat together on the front porch. He stirred only slightly when Mrs. McGinnis strolled by with her dog Marshmallow. When darkness fell, I carried him inside and placed him on my bed for the first time. I fell asleep on the couch.

This morning he was gone. I summoned my courage, wrapped him in a blanket, and laid him in my car. The vet was waiting outside when I arrived and hugged me as I handed over my fourteen-year companion.

Devastated, I drove home. Reminders were everywhere. I have never been this lost.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Archibald Hobbs says

    June 22, 2021 at 5:31 am

    Oh lord…I know the feeling…

    https://pocketfiction.co.uk/2021/06/16/grieving-those-i-lost/

    Reply
  2. Derek says

    June 22, 2021 at 7:52 am

    This is a very sad story, very well told.

    Reply
  3. Karisa says

    June 22, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Such a painful moment captured so well. I especially loved that you placed the dog on the bed. You say so much with a few words.

    Reply
  4. Deanna Salser says

    June 22, 2021 at 9:35 am

    So sorry to hear about losing your friend.

    Reply
  5. Peggy Gerber says

    June 22, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    Your story packed quite an emotional punch. My condolences on your loss.

    Reply
  6. Meg Fargher says

    June 23, 2021 at 7:19 am

    You captured the pain of this loss so poignantly. Such a great example of less is more. I can feel and see the space even though you conjured the setting so tightly. Perfect.

    Reply
  7. Jon Dixon says

    June 23, 2021 at 7:30 am

    Poignant and true. Really strikes a chord with anyone who’s lost a much-loved animal companion. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. I.R.Pathak says

    June 23, 2021 at 10:07 am

    Touching, emotionally charged narrative. Tender feelings peeping through words. Nice it is, Jeffrey.

    Reply
  9. Sue says

    June 23, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Oh my, I’ve been through this so often and it never gets any less painful – your words capture it so perfectly.

    Reply
  10. Carol says

    June 23, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    A tender moment in life captured in beautiful prose

    Reply
  11. Ollie B says

    June 25, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    Beautiful writing which captures the depths and rawness of your emotions and loss. I love the bit about Marshmallow and the significance of that. Very sad story but thanks for sharing so powerfully and hope it has helped a little bit to write about it.

    Reply

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