This is the fifth instalment of Weekend Writing Warriors’
8 Sentence Sunday Blog Hop.
Currently, I am writing a multi-part series about the dogs in my care, which will be turned into a book. These 8 sentences are from the conclusion of Luke’s story:
[Read the complete chapter HERE]
After Luke’s human Mommy, Lorraine, began working from home, I only saw him occasionally. She contacted me one summer’s day, when Luke was 13, to relay the sad news that he had cancer. ”He’s not suffering and we’ll keep him comfortable as long as possible”, she said. My heart sank, but, I tried to remain positive, for her sake. Told her how much we loved him and that she and her husband were wonderful to give him this chance. Not all dog owners would. There was no further news until the dreaded call came, shortly before Christmas. Luke had passed away peacefully, in his sleep, overnight.
♥♥♥
That’s the 8, but, since there are only three sentences left, I hope nobody minds f I add them here:
Lorraine and I were both sobbing into the phone, as I tried to console her. Losing a client’s dog is almost as heart wrenching as losing my own and this scene has been repeated often, over the years.
Luke will forever remain in our hearts. He truly was one of a kind!
♥♥♥
Thanks for your time and please leave a comment.
Click on the image to view all participants. Please visit as many as you can and comment on their work as well. Happy reading!
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Hi Debbie,
I can’t think of a cutie being passed away. The pain is wordless. My cute boy left me in my childhood but yet he’s with me
I can see him.
Sometimes I feel it’s better leaving quietly than painfully. However it’s a certainty that we all have to leave someday.
Cheers…
Mayura recently posted…How to Add Your Website to Google Webmaster Tools
It’s a sad time for sure, but, as you said, they are always with us, still. I know it’s inevitable and peaceful is certainly better. We should all be so lucky, when the time comes. Thanks for visiting, Mayura.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…WHAT IF…
I can totally feel your pain Debbie. I get choked up just thinking about losing one of my furbabies.
Several years ago Chico became sick and the Vet wanted to put him down. I took him home with a 50/50 chance of making it and he made it…needless to say he is the most spoiled of the bunch
Love the way you put the story together!
Corina Ranos recently posted…What Would You Do If You Were CEO
It never gets any easier, Corina, but, it’s always worth it. So glad you didn’t listen to the vet about Chico! I can imagine how spoiled he is and deservedly so.
Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
So sad. I think all animal lovers can relate to these emotions. Well written, Debbie!
Catherine Cavendish recently posted…More Chills From The Second Wife…
Yes, we all go through this and it never gets any easier. Well worth it, though! Thanks for visiting, Catherine.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
That’s so sad, but beautifully conveyed.
Antonia van Zandt recently posted…A Little Sunday Seduction…
Yes; I still miss Luke.
Thanks for visiting and I’m glad you enjoyed the writing, Antonia. Have a good week!
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
We have three dogs and three cats and have lost three cats.
We know the inevitable will one day come.
Chip recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors – March 3, 2013
Yes; the sad part of having pets is that they never live long enough. Well worth it though. Thanks for visiting, Chip.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Very sad, but better that he went in his sleep. More peaceful that way.
I agree Kate. When you have to go, in your sleep is the best way. Luke was one of the ‘special” ones, for sure and I still miss him.
BTW, I fixed the typo. Thanks for visiting.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Some animals aren’t “just animals.” We put a part of ourselves into them, and we are diminished by their loss.
Sue Ann Bowling recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors
You are so right, Sue. Never “just an animal”, to me. Thanks for visiting.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
There’s nothing worse than losing a friend, it doesn’t matter if that friend is the human or canine variety. I loved this poignant story.
Jess Schira recently posted…Aftermath-weWriWa Sunday Snippet
Thank you, Jess. Yes; just as painful, be they two legged or four. Glad you liked the story.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…#8sunday WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS; MAR. 3/13
Oh, heartbreaking. I’ll miss Luke. You did a great job of making me love him.
AJ Bradley recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors: Mar.3, 2013
Thank you so much, AJ. That means a lot! Yes, it’s always heartbreaking to lose our four-legged friends, but, the rewards of loving them and being loved by them are always worth it.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…#8sunday WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS; MAR. 3/13
Nice story about a nice pup! Thanks for sharing.
Loy recently posted…Baby Boomer Takes an Idita-Walk
Thanks for reading, Loy. Luke was one of the “special” ones.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Sad but very true to life and at least he went peacefully in his sleep, dreaming of chasing rabbits one can hope. An excellent excerpt…
Veronica Scott recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors – Wreck of the Nebula Dream – More Distraught Passenger
Thanks Veronica. I hope he was chasing rabbits, too.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
That is so sad. It is tough to handle the loss of a pet. Good snippet on the emotion that goes along with that.
C. Amrhein ( recently posted…The Milk Carton Murders 03
Thank you. I did try to convey the emotion and it was quite difficult for me to write it. Yes, always sad to lose a beloved pet.
Thanks for visiting today.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Heartbreaking. After getting to know Luke a little bit, I can feel your loss. Thank you for sharing, Debbie.
Dana recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors: At the Town Square
Yes, always heartbreaking when we lose them.
Glad I was able to convey that. Thanks for the comment, Dana.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Dear Debbie, thank you for your storytelling about pets so dear and without being overly sentimental in this sad heartbreaking moment. Every pet I’ve had, loved and lost over the years comes back to me in your eight.
charmaine gordon recently posted…3/3/13 WEWRWA
Thank you Charmaine. It brings back many bittersweet memories for me, too and I did get a little emotional, while writing it.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
What a sad scene. I teared up. We lost Shakespeare, our big lovable hound dog to cancer last year. He was about 15 years old (pound pup so it’s a rough estimation.) It was so sad to let him go.
Karen Michelle Nutt recently posted…Snippet Sunday: Magic of the Loch (The Legend #7)
My sympathies to you, Karin. That’s always the hardest part about sharing one’s life with pets. I became emotional while writing this, too. Thanks for reading.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
awww, it’s always so sad to hear about a pet passing, even if we just read about it. You remind me of one of my neighbors, who adopts older & “problem” dogs that nobody else wants. She has them for a few years and they are *deliriously* happy with her, she takes care of all the medical needs, then they pass on. She takes some months to grieve then does it again. I couldn’t go through that so often!
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve only read about Luke through these snippets but I can already tell he had a unique impact on you.
Marcia recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors 3/03/13
It is difficult, Marcia, but I take solace in the fact they had such good lives and offered so much love to those who cared for them. Yes, Luke was one of the “special” ones. what a wonderful thing your neighbour does! She adopts them and I think that would be too tough for me. It’s not quite as devastating when they’re not actually yours. Glad you enjoyed Luke’s story.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
Yeah it’s got to be expensive for my neighbor to care for elderly pets like that. She’s not wealthy by any means. All that love, though!
The way you talk about Luke, it’s clear you were so attached to him. That kind of feeling goes both ways. Isn’t it wonderful to know that he loved you too
BTW, thanks for tweeting my own blog; that’s awful sweet of you!
Marcia recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors 3/03/13
Kudos to your neighbour, Marcia. I think it’s wonderful that she’s looking after these dogs in their senior years and I do know just how expensive that can be.
Yes, Luke was one of the “special” ones and I still miss him. ♥
As for the retweet; you’re very welcome. Sharing is a good thing.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…WHO POOPED IN THE KITCHEN?
I don’t know how you do it, Debbie, how you’ve done it all these years. It cut me so deeply to lose the few I’ve loved and lost. And you go above and beyond.
You know, I think the fact that I commented from my heart, rather than try to comment to your writing, says it all. You are reaching the reader.
Good post!
Teresa Cypher recently posted…Weekend Writing Warriors March 3, 2013
Hi Teresa; I do grieve and it never gets any easier, but, it’s such a pleasure to know them, too. Thank you for the compliment and I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…ADVENTURES IN DOGSITTING; CHAPTER FIVE
So sad to lose them, but it sounds as if he had a good life.
Yes; it’s always sad when they go. Luke definitely had a good life. Thanks for visiting, Elaine.
Debbie Doglady recently posted…#8sunday WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS; MAR. 3/13
awww…… how bittersweet!
Linda recently posted…Automotive • Re: Land and Sea RV
Yes; always sad when they go, but such a joy when they’re with us. Thanks Linda!
Debbie Doglady recently posted…#8sunday WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS; MAR. 3/13