A Dog’s Strife
“Dogs can be worried and pessimistic just like people, researchers report in a new study in Current Biology.” –The New York Times
Tuesday, 28th September 2010
For first time since I can remember, Owner took me to park. Was sure he had forgotten I existed, not that anyone could blame him– looking in my water dish even I mistake myself for an old blanket sometimes. My tail was wagging like I couldn’t believe until we got there and I saw all the other dogs. Instead of wanting to play I just felt sorry for all of them. Didn’t they see how senseless it all was, chasing balls that would just get thrown again when returned? Let Owner get the ball this time, laid down to nap. Had the Hunted-by-Cats dream again.
Thursday, 30th September 2010
Tried to run a few laps around the yard to get out of my funk, became winded after ten minutes. “Did you mean dog obedience?” asks search engine when looking for information on ‘dog obesity.’ No sir. Not this dog.
Monday, 4th October 2010
Barely got off cushion today, couldn’t see the point.
Tuesday, 5th October 2010
Couldn’t sleep at all last night. Barked with all the neighborhood regulars until, one by one, their owners called them all in and I realized I was barking to myself. Was up all night wondering, was this the first time, or had this been happening and I just never noticed before? To paraphrase- if you bay long into an abyss, the abyss also bays unto you. Reminder to self: the dish is half full.
Friday, 8th October 2010
Response to self: yes, but half full of what exactly? Before eating today I remembered the pet food recall. Did Owner read the full recall list? Owner hardly reads at all, so unless it was on ESPN, chances are no. I checked myself for symptoms of poisoning, noted dull coat, lethargy, loss of appetite, started freaking out. Owner mistook anxiety tremor for chills, thrust me in Snuggie for Dogs. Humiliated.
Sunday, 10th October 2010
Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who feels this way. The dogs on the commercials are always so happy to see the owners, content to wait all day for their beloved master to come home, and then they’re all jumps and yips and sloppy tongues. Is that enough for them, every day the same stupid waiting game? Today I tried to make an effort for Owner, fake it until it felt real. But after yelping and leaping until every bone ached, all he did was pat my head and nod, without so much as looking at me. I was so discouraged I crumpled immediately onto my cushion, passed out instantly. Slumber offers no respite from the cats.
I’m going to go hug my dog now.
🙁
This is great.
this is amazing, i really enjoyed reading it and it seemed compleatly plausable. i think this could be a blog in its own with you writing it, maybe you should think about continuing it?
Hi Hudson,
I was drawn to your site by “What is that in Danzigs?” and I was delighted to find much more humor as well as the quality flash fiction. I am a 25 y/o writer living in Iowa City, and I really admire your work. Would you be interested in collaborating with other writers inputting out some flash fiction? E-mail me to let me know.
Also, “A Dog’s Strife” is great. You should continue it as the above commenter suggesting. And if you’re going to keep qouting Nietzche, may I suggest this dog be Scottish Terrier.
–A.M.
I could read this everyday, all day, forever. I would ask you to write more of this, but ”what’s the point”? 😉
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or listening to a symphony and this is tough without the proper accessories.