Elizabeth O'Connor

Losing A Limb

It is a warm August afternoon. The breeze is subtle, but nonetheless alive. I allow the warm summer sun to gently hold my skin. I am sitting outside on the back patio of our new home trying to find joy in the sunshine for the first time since our move to Southern California. My earbuds pressed tightly inside of my ear. Listening to my favorite playlist, I attempt to drown out the sound of my own intrusive thoughts. While paying no mind to my physical surroundings, I suddenly hear a loud collision & sickening howl that could have only come from an injured animal. I quickly jump to my feet, now noticing that Luca is nowhere in sight. Sheer panic begins to consume me. Luca is my mischievous and most loving black lab. He is always getting into trouble and out of trouble just as fast. He is only 8 months old & my best friend. Recently Luca has figured out how to dig his way out of the yard by squeezing underneath the wrap-around privacy fence put in place to keep him safe. Sometimes I think he misses home and his freedom as much as I do.