Molly leans over in her wheelchair and ruffles my head. Her fingers linger in my fur as she blinks back tears. I whine and press my wet nose into her neck, making her laugh-sob.
One of Molly’s grown pups pats her shoulder, and my ears twitch. “Mom, it’s time. Your things are loaded in the truck.”
The smells around me are all wrong. Molly smells too clean, the porch smells like chemicals. Her stern pup is too sweaty. Even her neighbor Charlie, who I love getting pets from, smells off.
Molly sighs and hugs me. “You be a good girl, okay?”
My ears droop as I whimper.
“We need to go, Mom.”
Molly snaps. “I am saying goodbye. You will not deny me this.”
Her pup shakes his head. I want to growl at him.
“Sorry, Lady, but they won’t let me bring you.” Molly’s voice is sad, breathy. Weak. “And I’ve had too many falls on my own.”
I nose her face, relishing her needy pets.
“Just don’t hate me, girl. Charlie will take good care of you from now on.”
The son pulls Molly’s wheelchair away from me, and her thin hands slip from my fur.
Charlie grabs my collar as I try to chase after her. Whimpers escape my throat. Molly is crying, Molly needs me.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I love you.”
I yelp, wishing she could understand me.
I won’t hate you! You’ll always be my human!
I howl as her pup drives her away.
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