Our Last Ride
Misplaced, but not Replaced
How could this happen? How can so much joy and fulfillment just end? Was I always destined to spend my last days alone, rotting, drowning in memories of laughter, love and exuberance? There has to be more than this. Doesn't there?
How I long to fly again! To feel the air rushing by, then slowing. To land and bound again and again, until the momentum is gone. To know you'll be chasing, ready to joyfully retrieve me and run, headlong, back to our human. Repeating the trip time and time again until, exhausted at last, you carry me to the car and we return home to rest.
I always knew we'd return to the “park” and I so enjoyed the unbridled joy in your leaps and wags at the very mention of that word. Each time, you'd rush to where you'd left me in our cozy bed and bound to the door. Every evening, you'd curl yourself protectively around me as you drifted off to sleep. We brought each other so much joy, and our human shared in it. Life was so good, and I'm not ready to believe it's over.
You searched so diligently that fateful afternoon, but the dampness all around had masked my scent and I was buried so deeply underneath the fallen leaves – oh, how it hurt to hear you called away. I heard the regret in his voice, but the overtone of resignation cut so deeply! The sound of our car door closing in the distance drove home the finality of the moment.
In the days that followed, I heard you often, for a while. Running, panting, coming so close, only to retrieve my replacement. I could feel your longing for me still, though you had accepted the newcomer as a consolation gift.
Gradually, I heard you less often, and then you were gone. And here I am, hopelessly lost and alone. Days come and the night replaces them. Another day comes, followed by another relentless night. I am left without purpose and no sense of how long, only the pain and despair of loss. Though I am actually the one lost.
I don't understand the nuances of such things. I only know I miss you and our human, too, although I confess to feeling some resentment toward him. It seems unjust that I could be so easily dismissed. Wasn't I a companion, too?
I hear you now! There's less vigor in your step, but it's you, and you're so close! Snuffling. Fervently, faithfully searching. But our human is here, too, insisting it's time to go. I hear the surprise in his voice as you proudly walk out with me.
I feel the raggedness of your breath during the slow walk to the car. I hear the soft whine as he lifts you into the vehicle. His quiet sob. I don't know how, but I know this is our last ride.
But we'll go there together. And that's all that matters.
About the Creator
Dana Crandell
Dad, Stedpad, Grandpa, Husband, lover of Nature and dogs.
Poet, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist and Tech/Internet nerd. Content writer by trade. Vocal Creator by choice.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Comments (13)
Eloquently written and the heartbreaking last ride. Bravo!!! 💕❤️
Well that was beautifully heartbreaking... 😢 I'm at a loss of words... you portrayed this so well! I'm just sitting here crying, in awe of the beautiful story you have here. Amazing work my friend!!
“Every evening, you'd curl yourself protectively around me as you drifted off to sleep” is such a wonderful image😊 This is wonderfully written, and an original take on the challenge! Nicely done.
Heartbreaking. :(( You sure know how to break a guy! Beautiful writing.
Ah fuck. See also my previous comment about having a sadness in my life currently. I knew I shouldnt have read this as soon as I saw the picture, and I confess to a bit of skim reading. But I should have skimmed the end better. Silly, silly girl. (Also, I know I was warned, this is wholly on me!)
Dana you broke my heart 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Though it may be soon over, at least we can say our time together was a ball.
That was so cute and fun, and then so heartbreaking. Really well done.
Why do you break our hearts like this though
💙
That was such a happy ending! I was getting so sad for the poor lost toy, but then joy :) You really crafted a wonderful atmosphere of shattering hopelessness with this one, Dana. Loved every second of reading it :)
You're killing me, Smalls
Great entry to the challenge!