It was 100 degrees back in July 2021 in Puget Sound. My son and I were miserable the last couple of days. We couldn’t sleep because our fans weren’t keeping us cool. Our air conditioner hadn’t come in yet. Our German Shepard was handling the heat pretty well. We had been adding ice cubes to his water and asking specifically for iced water whenever we went out for coffee. He always assumed we would get him a pup cup and he would slurp both down after a run. After work, I wanted to do something to keep my son and dog busy and cool at the same time. I got off work at 2pm and decided to take the two of them up north to Bellingham. My husband was asleep since he worked nights. I don’t know how he could sleep with the house so hot. I loaded up my two boys and we went on a mini road trip. It takes at least 2 hours to get there so even if Boulevard Park is packed, the two of them would enjoy the air conditioner in my car for 4 hours. Going up north is always an adventure. Since my husband and I met in Bellingham and we had our son there, it’s always held a special place in our hearts. I was so excited to take my dog to see the ocean. He has seen water and we knew he loved it. I didn’t know how he would react to ocean waves. As luck would have it, Boulevard Park wasn’t so busy. I think the heat kept some people at home. I had packed dog treats and cold bottles of water for the dog. We found the place I knew would be perfect for the three of us: under the bridge by the rocks. I packed our water shoes, towels, and a change of clothes for my son. The water was also perfect. I expected it to be cold but it was lukewarm. Our dog was so confused by the waves. He kept trying to catch them as if it were a game. He was following my boy all around the rocks and back tracking to our travel bag to make sure our belongings were safe. I had my keys and phone in that bag so I never took any pictures but it’s a memory I cherish. My dog absolutely loved the ocean and one day, I want to live next to it so he visit whenever he wants. I took him to one of my favorite places ever. When we left, I went to Woods Coffee and bought a couple of drinks for the ride home. My dog slept soundly after a pup cup. My son chose the songs we listened to for the road trip home. I had 2 Labrador retrievers growing up and I always knew I would be the best dog owner I could be to my German Shepard. I would treat him like family because I always felt my family didn’t do their best with my labs. I would be better because my dog deserves better. The 2 hours home were so relaxing. Traffic was light. The music was awesome. The air conditioner was just right. My coffee was great. My son was chilling and our dog was dreaming well, I hope. I hope we take more road trips in the future. Bucky is an awesome dog. He just turned 2 and I can’t wait for more memories. We suffered through an intensely hot summer but we persevered. I wish I did more things spontaneously with my son and dog. I have the best dog in the world
About the Creator
Anna Torres
I’m a 37-year old mother. I love reading, metal music, and writing. I have begun writing again since 2021
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Death rattle
It awakens from its slumber. A great old one. A bellow comes up from below. A beast untamed, a monster unfurled. There’s a giant in the abyss. There’s a leviathan in the void. A colossal extraordinaire. A massive mammoth. A gargantuan hulk. An immense mountain of a cyclops. A titanic elephant of a whale. A dreadnought. A Goliath mastodon. A titan juggernaut. It’s after our ships. It hears our submarines. An enormous himalaya. It’s a mega pharaoh. It’s a prodigious hero. It needed no directions. No GPS, no compass. It owns these waters. A majestic monolith. A towering kraken. The legend is true. It’s come for us all. The myth is a lie. The superstitions can’t help us. A monarch of oblivion, it’s a shadow. It stretches forth into the vastness of the ocean. It’s belching dooms everything in the sea. It’s a blight on the radar. It’s a mistake on the horizon. Sonar can’t capture it. It’s nature is to hide. It preserves, it’s submerged. It will swallow our tears. It will bathe in our blood. The surface is sinking. Our chances are zero. We already lost. We await our watery graves. We wait to drown like the others. Our deaths won’t go recorded. Our surrender won’t leave the whirlpool. How many fathoms do we have left before our death rattles leave our souls? Our battle cries meant nothing. This giant squid brings us home. This ugly octopus brings us home. Cthulhu calls us home
By Anna Torres3 years ago in Poets
The choice I made..
In the quiet corner of our bustling city, nestled between towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, there was a little pet shop called Paws & Whiskers. It wasn't much to look at from the outside, just a small sign and a modest storefront, but inside, it was a haven for creatures great and small.I remember the day I first stepped into Paws & Whiskers. I was drawn in by the sound of playful barks and the gentle purring of content cats. Rows of cages and aquariums lined the walls, each housing a different animal waiting for a forever home. As I wandered through the aisles, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and joy wash over me.That's when I saw him – a tiny ball of fur curled up in the corner of a cage. His big, brown eyes met mine, and in that moment, I knew I had found my companion. The choice was made before I even realized it.Bringing him home was a whirlwind of excitement and nerves. I named him Oliver, after the famous literary character who was also a survivor against the odds. From the very beginning, Oliver brought light and laughter into my life. His playful antics and unwavering loyalty became the highlight of my days.But as time went on, I began to notice changes in Oliver. He grew lethargic and withdrawn, his once shiny coat losing its luster. Concerned, I rushed him to the vet, where we received the devastating diagnosis – Oliver was suffering from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.The news hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt helpless and lost, unsure of what to do next. The vet laid out our options – aggressive treatment that offered no guarantees or palliative care to keep Oliver comfortable in his final days. It was the hardest choice I've ever had to make.In the end, I chose to focus on making Oliver's remaining time as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. I filled his days with all his favorite things – long walks in the park, endless belly rubs, and plenty of treats. We made memories together that I will cherish forever.As Oliver's condition worsened, I never left his side. I held him close, whispering words of love and gratitude for the joy he had brought into my life. And when the time finally came to say goodbye, I was there, cradling him in my arms as he slipped peacefully away.Losing Oliver was like losing a piece of myself. The grief was overwhelming, but in the midst of it, I found solace in the knowledge that I had given him the best possible life, filled with love and happiness until the very end.In the months that followed, I struggled to come to terms with Oliver's absence. But slowly, with the support of friends and family, I began to heal. And as I looked back on our time together, I realized that the choice I made – to open my heart to Oliver – was the best decision I ever made. Despite the pain of losing him, I wouldn't trade a single moment we shared for anything in the world.
By Eric anexis 4 days ago in Petlife
It's Caturday
Introduction This is nothing more than an excuse to share more pictures of the cats that I meet on my walks. Some days I see no cats, some days I see lots. Today there were lots including one in my garden. I saw the word Caturday trending on some social media platform or other so thought it would be another excuse to share some of the pictures that I captured.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydred6 days ago in Petlife
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