By Scott Bogart
I’ve been chained and left for dead, but at least the beatings have finally stopped. My body is battered, broken, and bruised. My flesh is blistered from the sun. I haven’t eaten anything in a day, and I’m so thirsty. Dehydration and a lack of nourishment are finally pulling me under. My ribs are showing, and I can barely stand.
Escape is futile. Believe me, I’ve tried.
I still can’t believe this is really happening to me; my life was supposed to be different.
So now I lie here with my head on my paws wondering what I did to deserve this.
Oh that last line!
Incredible how one word can change a powerful piece to truly heartbreaking.
Well done.
Thank you, Lesley.
I agree with Lesley. That one word makes the story. One hundred words plus that word Brilliant
Thank you, David.
Sad. Real. Brilliant! Well done
Thank you, Yogita.
Very effective.
Thank you, James.
As a pet rescuer, I very much appreciate that you wrote this.
Powerful and too true, too often.
That last line was a game-changer. It took the story from good to great. Well done.
Thank you, Wendy.
Heartbreakingly fine piece of writing. Kudos.
Thank you, Kevin.
That was heartbreaking and so well written! Well done.
Thank you, Michael.
Awwww, heart-breaking :(.
This piece needs to go to every animal shelter! Drop the mic on that last line-“So now I lie here with my head on my paws.”
Thank you, Rachel.
Touching, introspective and full of sensory words. Well done. Impressed.
Thank you, Indra Raj.
I thought there was going to be a twist, and you did not disappoint. I’m a dog sitter and own cats and I’m convinced this goes through all their heads at least 5 times a day. Our poor animals! 😀
Also on the second read I’m thinking perhaps it wasn’t being dramatic but truly out there, so now please ignore my original comment (currently watching my own cat pretend there’s no food in the bowl so that’s where my mind was). Now looking at this as it being a truly neglected dog, it’s still a beautiful story but I’m sad 🙁
Thank you, Melissa.
Bravo! Great set-up and delivery with the last line. Funny and sad at the same time.
Thank you, Jim,
Excellent story, Scott. The text was emblematic of the agony faced by dogs and cats and other pets at the hands of benighted owners. You really surprised with the well concealed punch line. This is a wonderful, thoughtful bit of prose, which really transcends 101 words.
Thank you, Bill.
Awesome. Brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful last line. I felt their pain.
Hi Maggie! Thank you.
Scott
As the owner of 2 rescues, that really got to me. Well done.
Ah just read this wonderful piece of writing. The power of the written word mightier than the sword and you captured it so greatly. Have you done much writing. you are gifted.