Sorry for only publishing now, but I have written further on my novel and have a few other short stories in the pipeline, i.e. Chastity and a few others. Hope you like how Reggie and Kiki meet. :)
Reggie Smith tried to keep his composure. Of course Dandy could see through him right away. The Schnauzer was getting tired, but still licked his master's hand and wagged his tail. Reggie couldn't keep his tears at bay any longer. It was hard to say good bye to his companion of 11 years.
Reggie was concerned, when Dandy had a seizure. It had never happened before, so Reggie was frightened and shocked. Of course he brought Dandy to the vet. The diagnosis was shattering. Dandy had a brain tumor, and it had spread further. There was nothing that could be done. Reggie took Dandy home and spoiled him rotten for the next few days with all the dog's favorite food, games and long walks until he made up his mind. Reggie didn't want Dandy to suffer, so he arranged an appointment with the vet to put his dog to sleep. The vet agreed to come to Reggie's beach house in Key West. Dandy knew it didn't mean anything positive, when the doctor arrived, and tried to hide. Reggie was prepared for that, grabbed the dog by the collar, before he could escape and carried Dandy to the sofa on the porch, overlooking the beach and sea. Reggie held down Dandy until the vet had given the injection. It was hard to watch. Dandy whimpered. Reggie said soothing words, keeping his voice calm and relaxed. He didn't feel any of it. "It shouldn't take too long." The vet said. "I'll let myself out." Reggie thanked the doctor and concentrated on Dandy, taking a seat beside him. He stroked Dandy. When the dog licked his hand Reggie's self control crumbled. Reggie felt Dandy's breathing go slower until it ceased. Soon there was no heart beat either. Reggie sobbed. Never ever again! Reggie thought he couldn't go through the heartbreak again.
For every dog Reggie had owned during his adulthood he had made funeral arrangements. He organized Dandy's cremation, and the ashes were buried at the dog cemetery beside Reggie's other dogs. He remembered them all fondly and visiting them regularly had helped overcome their deaths.
Reggie gave some of Dandy's things to charity. Others were thrown out. Life seemed to go on for people, while it was standing still for Reggie.
He felt lonely and missed Dandy. It was on the one side hurting to remember how Dandy arrived as a puppy and had a lot of mischief in mind, gnawing Reggie's favorite shoes, trying to sleep with Reggie in bed, having accidents on the carpet to developing into a quiet and dignified dog, but on the other side it were good memories. After a few months the pain eased. Since Reggie had retired from being a successful burglar, he had more time and started to get restless and feel bored without a dog. Reggie was torn, if he should get a new dog or not. He had to consider his own age. He had turned seventy one in September, so if he got a dog, would he be healthy or live long enough to take care of the pet? What would happen if he was incapable or dying before the dog? Reggie checked with his daughter Debra and his friend Augustus. Both said they were willing to take care of the dog should anything happen to Reggie. It was a relief. Even though Reggie had sworn earlier not to adopt a dog, he couldn't resist the temptation any longer. Reggie went to a dog charity, filled out all the necessary documents, provided references and could go to the puppy cage. There were a few Yorkshire Terriers, cross breeds and a Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc Et Noir. Reggie didn't want a big dog. He preferred small to medium sized ones, suiting his lifestyle better than larger dogs. Only one puppy was interested in him. It was a little Yorkshire Terrier. The rest was interested in their toys. The terrier demanded attention, wagged its tail and barked excitedly. Reggie gave the dog his hands to sniff on. The two clicked immediately, so it was obvious which one Reggie wanted. There was also a short interview and the member of staff advised Reggie somebody would make a house visit to check if Reggie had a dog compatible home.
Shortly after the house visit Reggie received the outcome. He was able to adopt the dog he wanted. The background story was sad. Reggie's dog - a little headstrong lady - and her two siblings had been found in a dumpster, only a few weeks old, together with their dead mother. They were barely alive and had lost a lot of weight. The charity had done a good job in raising them.
When Reggie arrived to pick up his new pet, she didn't want to go into her transportable cage. She escaped and thought it was fun being chased by the staff through the building. Her tail was wagging furiously and she barked madly, causing some uproar with the other dogs. Before she could cause more mayhem Reggie used his abilities as a burglar. Reggie tried to think which route the dog would choose, placed himself hidden behind one of the kennels and waited. The terrier careened around the corner, where Reggie had placed himself. Reggie snatched the dog. The dog and he looked each other in the eyes. Suddenly the dog quietened down and was willing to be placed in the cage.
During the journey home the dog scratched and bit at the door, trying to get out. Reggie was glad it was secure. An accident because of Reggie's attention being diverted thanks to the Yorkie wasn't anything he was looking forward to.
At the beach house Reggie let the pet out of the basket. She wasn't grateful at all, looked up at Reggie and barked. Like she was trying to tell him she hadn't enjoyed the trip or being in a small cage. Then she went with high held head exploring.
Reggie decided to name the Yorkie Kiki. It was short, sounded cute and playful at the same time. At first it wasn't easy for Kiki to be separated from the other dogs at the shelter. She whimpered and was withdrawn. Reggie was there for her and helped her as good as he could. Kiki's personality soon resurfaced. She was fun to be with. Kiki was extrovert, intelligent and curious. Training her was a bit difficult, because she had her own mind.
In the end Kiki and Reggie made a good team.
Reggie Smith tried to keep his composure. Of course Dandy could see through him right away. The Schnauzer was getting tired, but still licked his master's hand and wagged his tail. Reggie couldn't keep his tears at bay any longer. It was hard to say good bye to his companion of 11 years.
Reggie was concerned, when Dandy had a seizure. It had never happened before, so Reggie was frightened and shocked. Of course he brought Dandy to the vet. The diagnosis was shattering. Dandy had a brain tumor, and it had spread further. There was nothing that could be done. Reggie took Dandy home and spoiled him rotten for the next few days with all the dog's favorite food, games and long walks until he made up his mind. Reggie didn't want Dandy to suffer, so he arranged an appointment with the vet to put his dog to sleep. The vet agreed to come to Reggie's beach house in Key West. Dandy knew it didn't mean anything positive, when the doctor arrived, and tried to hide. Reggie was prepared for that, grabbed the dog by the collar, before he could escape and carried Dandy to the sofa on the porch, overlooking the beach and sea. Reggie held down Dandy until the vet had given the injection. It was hard to watch. Dandy whimpered. Reggie said soothing words, keeping his voice calm and relaxed. He didn't feel any of it. "It shouldn't take too long." The vet said. "I'll let myself out." Reggie thanked the doctor and concentrated on Dandy, taking a seat beside him. He stroked Dandy. When the dog licked his hand Reggie's self control crumbled. Reggie felt Dandy's breathing go slower until it ceased. Soon there was no heart beat either. Reggie sobbed. Never ever again! Reggie thought he couldn't go through the heartbreak again.
For every dog Reggie had owned during his adulthood he had made funeral arrangements. He organized Dandy's cremation, and the ashes were buried at the dog cemetery beside Reggie's other dogs. He remembered them all fondly and visiting them regularly had helped overcome their deaths.
Reggie gave some of Dandy's things to charity. Others were thrown out. Life seemed to go on for people, while it was standing still for Reggie.
He felt lonely and missed Dandy. It was on the one side hurting to remember how Dandy arrived as a puppy and had a lot of mischief in mind, gnawing Reggie's favorite shoes, trying to sleep with Reggie in bed, having accidents on the carpet to developing into a quiet and dignified dog, but on the other side it were good memories. After a few months the pain eased. Since Reggie had retired from being a successful burglar, he had more time and started to get restless and feel bored without a dog. Reggie was torn, if he should get a new dog or not. He had to consider his own age. He had turned seventy one in September, so if he got a dog, would he be healthy or live long enough to take care of the pet? What would happen if he was incapable or dying before the dog? Reggie checked with his daughter Debra and his friend Augustus. Both said they were willing to take care of the dog should anything happen to Reggie. It was a relief. Even though Reggie had sworn earlier not to adopt a dog, he couldn't resist the temptation any longer. Reggie went to a dog charity, filled out all the necessary documents, provided references and could go to the puppy cage. There were a few Yorkshire Terriers, cross breeds and a Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc Et Noir. Reggie didn't want a big dog. He preferred small to medium sized ones, suiting his lifestyle better than larger dogs. Only one puppy was interested in him. It was a little Yorkshire Terrier. The rest was interested in their toys. The terrier demanded attention, wagged its tail and barked excitedly. Reggie gave the dog his hands to sniff on. The two clicked immediately, so it was obvious which one Reggie wanted. There was also a short interview and the member of staff advised Reggie somebody would make a house visit to check if Reggie had a dog compatible home.
Shortly after the house visit Reggie received the outcome. He was able to adopt the dog he wanted. The background story was sad. Reggie's dog - a little headstrong lady - and her two siblings had been found in a dumpster, only a few weeks old, together with their dead mother. They were barely alive and had lost a lot of weight. The charity had done a good job in raising them.
When Reggie arrived to pick up his new pet, she didn't want to go into her transportable cage. She escaped and thought it was fun being chased by the staff through the building. Her tail was wagging furiously and she barked madly, causing some uproar with the other dogs. Before she could cause more mayhem Reggie used his abilities as a burglar. Reggie tried to think which route the dog would choose, placed himself hidden behind one of the kennels and waited. The terrier careened around the corner, where Reggie had placed himself. Reggie snatched the dog. The dog and he looked each other in the eyes. Suddenly the dog quietened down and was willing to be placed in the cage.
During the journey home the dog scratched and bit at the door, trying to get out. Reggie was glad it was secure. An accident because of Reggie's attention being diverted thanks to the Yorkie wasn't anything he was looking forward to.
At the beach house Reggie let the pet out of the basket. She wasn't grateful at all, looked up at Reggie and barked. Like she was trying to tell him she hadn't enjoyed the trip or being in a small cage. Then she went with high held head exploring.
Reggie decided to name the Yorkie Kiki. It was short, sounded cute and playful at the same time. At first it wasn't easy for Kiki to be separated from the other dogs at the shelter. She whimpered and was withdrawn. Reggie was there for her and helped her as good as he could. Kiki's personality soon resurfaced. She was fun to be with. Kiki was extrovert, intelligent and curious. Training her was a bit difficult, because she had her own mind.
In the end Kiki and Reggie made a good team.
©2013
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