Member-only story
A Dog’s Life: Low Expectations
I’ve decided to tell you about my history. Unfortunately, every time I’ve tried explaining it to my humans, they don’t seem to understand. Maybe you can enlighten them once I’ve documented it on Medium.
You see, my life is coming to an end. I want them to keep their memories of me alive.
When I was first born, I remember snuggling with other fuzzy creatures just like myself. We ate and slept. Of course, being the runt, I didn’t get to eat as much. Another dog usually snapped at me just as I was about to eat. Because of this, I didn’t grow much. At least, not at first.
I struggled through those first few weeks. I thought I was going to die. Everyone else thought I was going to die, even our humans. Surprisingly, it didn’t happen.
One day, as I started to feel better, humans came by to see me.
The first time they came, there were only two. They petted me and made all kinds of funny noises toward me. I growled to let them know I was not leaving.
One of the other dogs in my litter nipped my tail as soon as they left.
“Ouch! What was that about?” I asked cowering.
“You will go with those humans,” demanded the alpha pup to me. “I don’t want you here anymore.”
I put my tail between my legs knowing I’d have to go. Next time they came, I’d have to act happy to see them.