If only I had known about the disaster this morning would bring. For summer vacation we decided to go on a small trip (because we had gone to disney in the winter already). And we still wanted to go somewhere fun so we decided to go to Great Wolf. I had just woken up, and I could feel the sun betting on my face forcing me awake. After a few lazy seconds of staying in my comfy sheets not wanting to leave the comfort and warmth I remembered that we were leaving for vacation. I bounced down the stairs with a grin on my face looking like I had just entered a candy store. But once I turned the corner I heard my mother’s voice. It wasn’t a happy upbeat ready for a trip voice. It sounded like a mother consoling a child.
Finally I had turned the second corner to the kitchen. I saw my mother on the ground sitting next to my dog Devenver stroking his more white than yellow fur that matches the tile he was laying on. My father is standing next to her on the phone with my aunt. All I could do was stand there. I couldn’t do anything all I could do was be in aw a million thoughts rushed through my head. “What’s going to happen?” “will we still go on the trip?” There seemed more thoughts that entered my head the more I worried about it and the more questions I needed to ask but I kept my mouth shut knowing that wasn’t the right time to ask questions. I guess I looked like a deer in headlights because my mother said something.
“Oh good morning Violet, Denvers not doing too well” She was clearly trying not to cry in front of me.
“Well I see that” I said trying to be as nice as possible.
Dever was a yellow lab that my mother had rescued 13 years earlier and was like her child. He was always attached to her hip never too far away. ( Years later my mother would tell me she secretly let him upstairs with her and not the other dogs till he got stuck on the stairs).
“Your aunt will be here in fifteen minutes” My dad chimed in.
Heving
I hadn’t noticed it till now but Denver was heaving heavily at that and I thought it was weird I didn’t notice it before now, but now that I did his heaving filled the room like and elephant on a train car. All I could do was sit next to my mom on the ground and pet denver. He was in pain. The fifteen minutes move as slow as molasses never seem to end, then.
“ I am going to pull up the car” my dad said finally breaking the silence
It was sad to see my dad carry Denver to the car knowing I would probably never see him again. My dad and I stood on the porch for a minute not saying a word, not needing to say a word. What horrible timing.
“I guess you and your brother still need breakfast” my dad pointed out
“Yah I guess” I responded
We walked into the house, the next hour went by in a blurr. Just going through the motions trying to keep are minds of that morning.
“Do you still think we’re still going on vacation?” I asked
“I don’t know you have to ask your mother” he said in response
Finally they returned home with no dog. We rushed up to mom both asking if she was ok. She responded yes. I left shortly after partly to give my parents space partly because I was bored and didn’t want to stick around all the gloom. My brother stayed in his room away from the chayose not wanting or understanding what was happening. But an hour later I heard the sounds of packing and water running down the hallway. I was confused. I didn’t think we were still going on the trip. I mean the dog just died. But sure enough as I made my way down the hallway I could see my mom packing her bag.
“So where still going in the trip” I asked
“Yah why not it would be a good distraction, and we already paid for a room what a waist it would be not to go. Let’s go have some fun.” She said, looking more happy than before.
I ran up and gave her a hug. I knew we would always miss Denver. He was loyal and gentle even when he tried to steal your food. In the end we ended up having a really fun time on vacation.
