Pet Therapy

A soft ticking underscored the carpeted quiet in the panelled waiting room. The severely dressed and softly spoken woman at the reception desk looked up at me and smiled.

"The doctor will see you now."

Is there a word that is a step down from bustling? That's what she did. Using a strained whisper, as if we were in an especially posh library, she informed me that the practise was employing a new approach which had proved very popular with other clients. I nodded yes, yes, I was aware, this is my second session.

She gestured me towards the correct door, opening it graciously and ushering me through. It shut with a gentle click. Little noises, pale pastel to match the bland artwork. Inoffensive. Not entirely welcoming, nor unwelcoming. A study in neutrality.

In I shuffled, and perched on the couch.

The silence stretched around us. It said, We've got all the time in the world.

A lie. We only have an hour.

I liked this therapist. He was easier to talk to than most of the ones you pay for. He had a knack of waiting, just like this, eye soft and without judgement, for you to speak. I chewed my lip, words beginning to crystallise ready to drop into the pool of silence.

When the words came, they really came. It felt good just to get them out, and twice as good to pour them into this yawning listening vessel he created with his ears. I felt lighter.

He blinked his chocolate eyes at me over his spectacles. There was nothing but patience and love in his manner. He spoke at last.

"So... tell me how that makes you feel."

I told him. He nodded his furry head sympathetically. When I cried, he hopped up on the couch next to me, leaned into me, and licked my tears away. Time stretched in an odd way and I wasn't sure if we'd been sat snuggled up together like that for five minutes or twenty.

At last he nudged me with his muzzle and reminded me to book my next appointment with the receptionist on my way out.

These genetically modified pets make truly superb therapists.

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Word count: 366

Submitted on 1st February at 17:38

*Quick Author's Note*

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment so I can reciprocate. Your thoughtful engagement is appreciated. If you enjoyed this, the best compliment you can give is to share it, or read another.

The story behind the story: It's February now, I'm allowed to do a dog story!

My "story every day" project: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 32 day streak. You can find all of them in my Index post. It's also pinned to the top of my profile.

If you're joining me on this "story every day" madne adventure, please leave a link to yours in the comments. Whether you're on a creative bent, like me, and writing mostly microfiction/stories, or whether you have your own, self-imposed criteria, I'd love to see what you come up with for today. I'll try to come back and edit this to link to your piece at the bottom.

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