Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Thank you for telling us this moving story. We've been dogless or "dog-less" (I'd suggest that instead of "dog less") all our married life, too. But like you, we greet everyone else's dogs in a three mile radius. Lol. I loved that story about calling out "Margaret" in your sleep!
Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2021

Hi, thanks for your kind review. I have a pretty good relationship with most dogs. By nature I think they're friendly. I appreciate your suggestion as well.

Comment from Lobber

Excellent

hi my friend
yours is a tale lived by millions
Alas, it continues because a dog's love is unconditional
we are all fated
I suggest you buy a cat
- Lobber

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Thanks for your review. It's true that a dog's love is unconditional. We've had cats in the past, but my wife is allergic to them, so it's best to just be without pets I guess.

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

A fine entry for the contest. Touching story told in wry humor--great bit about calling Margaret in your sleep. This piece resonates--when my daughter brought a Chihuahua home despite my forbidding her to, I fell in love as soon as I looked into his eyes.


dog less=>dogless.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Thanks Elizabeth. The spell check doesn't always let me use the correct words, and I assume it's right and I don't want to look like a complete dummy, so I go along with it. Dogs; where would we be without them?

reply by Elizabeth Emerald on 22-Oct-2021

Spell-check sucks! Dogless is an oddball word, although it is in the dictionary.

Comment from Giftedone.Eric Wallace .

Good

Thank you for sharing this keep writing and stay inspired this weekend unique piece quite intriguing thank you again you have a beautiful day stay inspired and creative

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thanks for your review and the words of encouragement.

Comment from lauralumummu

Excellent

Yes, dogs become part of the family. I can say I know exactly how you feel about Rigby. When our Skipper a snoodle dog, but really our child died in 2018 he took a part of me with him. Thanks for sharing your well written story. Laura

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you Laura. It's always a tearing to lose a beloved pet. I won't have any more dogs because of the pain of loss, but I can still interact with the neighbor's dog and my daughter's, so I'm not without the love they give. Have a great day.

Comment from Sherry Asbury

Excellent

This is beautiful, touching and I understand it so well. You made this fit the prompt perfectly. Wonderfully sweet and touching...sniffle...sniffle. I wish you the best in the contest with this great write.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you Sherry. He was a great dog. He was spoiled rotten, but I didn't spoil my kids, so I had to spoil the dog. Have a great day.

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Excellent

Thank you for the beautiful story of Rigby. As you found out, they take over your heart and life. Looking at Rigby's picture that look is soul-catching.
Good luck in the contest.
It was good to meet Rigby.
Regards,
Mary

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Hello Mary,
I wish you could have met him in person. He would have barked furiously at first an then come and sat beside you on the couch, especially if you had a snack for him. Have a great day.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

What a lovely tribute to your dog, Rigby. Yes, they do weasel their way into our hearts and break them with their deaths. But as you say, they are such a joy to have in our lives. Best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2021

Thank you for your kind review. I miss him but will never have another. For now I'm content to walk my neighbor's dog and love on it and others that I come across.

Comment from Cathy M

Excellent

Rigby sounded like a wonderful pet. I do have a small critique on this story. I think you could have shortened the beginning just a bit so you could have added more to Rigby and why he was so special. Otherwise, you wrote a very heartfelt essay and I enjoyed reading it.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2021

Thank you for your review and comments. I have a hard time telling a story in so few words, but I believe you're probably right.

Comment from Mary Shifman

Excellent

I like this story. Animals have a way of taking up residence in your heart when you least expect it and once there, they never move out, even when they've passed on. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2021

Thank you Mary. You're so right. I miss him terribly. Periodically I come across a picture of him and smile. He had quite the personality. I appreciate your review and kind words.

reply by Mary Shifman on 21-Oct-2021

You are very welcome. I know how hard it is.