Lost and Found | Prompt a Day

I was struck by the horrible stink that seemingly came out of her every pore.

I couldn't stand it any longer. The odor sickened me. And to think that a thing of beauty could smell so bad in the end.

Yes, I was there. I had to be. There was no one else to attend to it. She depended on me to keep her safe. I didn't. I wasn't even aware it had happened until I got the call.

So much for me being Mr. Dependable.

Swelling with pride, I remember the day she became mine. I couldn't believe it. It was love at first sight. I know you may frown on such musings, but you had to be there to witness the ardent anticipation of her arrival after waiting over six months.

It was a Saturday, the day she's come to live in my home. What I went through to get her. A rare jewel indeed. Excellent blood line, of course. She was a Queen. And that's what I used to call her. I can still picture her sitting on the couch, her head slightly tilted to the side. That adorable look of love in her eyes. She seemed to be thanking me every day we were together.

^{Image by LinneaHerner from Pixabay}

The most beautiful Japanese Tip Spitz. But now, she is no longer with me; no longer a part of my life; no longer here for me to take care of.

Evidently, I didn't even do that well.

Tears, about to escape, blurred my vision as I turned to see what the touch on my shoulder was. For several seconds I thought it was the clean up crew. But it was a female. "Are you alright? I'm sorry for your loss," she said softly." A quick nod of my head, then turning back to the scene, should have given her the message that I wasn't in the mood to be social. For some reason, I looked around again, and she had disappeared.

After the authorities handled the accident victims, I took care of Queen's removal and headed home. Drained by the day's events, I didn't notice the card in the left pocket until the next day.

Pet Loss Grief Support Center was written on the front, together with the address that was five blocks away. Support for what? I thought, then tossed the card on the dresser. I didn't need that.

Six months passed. Winter handed over his reins to Spring. But I still expected Queen to greet me when I arrived home. One weekend, I grabbed the card off the dresser, got dressed, and headed toward the Pet Loss Grief Support Center.

I was amazed at how many people were in attendance. I was only there to observe and listen. Didn't know what to expect, so I scanned the crowd. My eyes settled upon a lady who looked familiar. Staring at her for a few seconds, she turned around. I couldn't believe it was the woman from the accident. I thought for a moment, then smiled. She must have slipped the card in my jacket.

^{Image by hoffmanink from Pixabay}

She smiled and immediately started to approach in my direction. Extending her hand, she introduced herself as Felicia. "I'm so glad to meet you," she continued. "Hi, I'm Adrian," I stammered. She relocated her seat next to mine. We talked until the meeting was over. I discovered she was taking a morning walk with her pet when she happened upon Queen's accident.

We talked about Queen. Then asked if she could show me Rockwell. We laughed at his name and antics she described. The tension I felt upon arrival was subsiding such that I forgot for a couple hours what took me there. Finally, she disclosed that she encountered the same loss with her pet. Then found Rockwell.

Six months after meeting Felicia, I was a constant companion of her and Rockwell as our weekend walks turned into daily conversations. Discovering how much we had in common seemed to lessen the pain I felt for the loss of Queen. But not completely. Filling that void didn't seem possible.

^{Image by icsilviu from Pixabay}

My surprise birthday party was an event I'll never forget. A small gathering of my closest friends. As I rang Felicia's doorbell, birthday wishes spilled out onto the porch. How was I now going to present my gift to her in the way I'd planned with everyone here? I wanted it to be a private presentation.

As I entered, I held Felicia's new pet in front of me for all my friends to admire. Felicia, in turn, presented me with a Japanese Tip Spitz. I was speechless, as she was with her new pet. Neither of us knew nor suspected. Our friends and new pets enjoyed the birthday surprises.

Party over, we sat later quietly reflecting on the surprise events. It was love at first sight for both of us that day. I thought I'd lost everything the day I lost Queen. Felicia felt the same about losing her pet.

I had prayed, but didn't think I'd find that kind of love again. But there was Queenie, looking up at me. I looked into her eyes, then looked up into the eyes of the most beautiful and generous woman in the world. She was holding Cheshire. He took them in his arms as he whispered in Felicia's ear, "I only lost one love, but I found three".

Rockwell just stood looking. A loud bark interrupted the love fest he was witnessing. Suddenly he ran to the sliding door, indicating his desire to go outside. He turned and barked at the other dogs, as if inviting them to join him.

^{Image by Spiritze from Pixabay}

Rockwell had also found a new family. How much fun they were going to have. Felicia and I joined them outside.