This decision might be the hardest one he’s ever had to make.
Nichols had been slowing down the past few months. Where he was quick to rush outside for a walk or a snack he’s started to shamble and, eventually, even lay unmoving by an open door. Even Diablo can’t rouse him into a booty-bumping wrestle and Jack misses the sound of the dogs play fighting when Ralph comes over to hoist his feet into Jack’s lap and watch movies. A trip to the vet a few weeks ago confirmed Jack’s worst fears - Nichols was sick. And in a way that wasn’t going to get better, not even with more cash.
Jack’s at a loss. Nichols was a total accident he hadn’t been expecting to enter his life. Actually, that could be equated to a lot of happenings: Ralph, a new job, his art getting recognized. All of those things had caught him by surprise. Nichols had seen him through it all - and before when things hadn’t been so peachy. Imagining his day to day without the dog is impossible.
He knows what the answer is. Deep down in his guts. Give Nichols one last Dog Day Afternoon and then take him to the vet, entering with his arms full of stocky blue pit and leaving without. Before Nichs is overcome with pain. While he can still wag his tail and lick up peanut butter from a spoon and try and steal Ralph’s sunglasses from the small table by the door.
But he’s not strong enough to do it on his own. He’s never had to do something like this before. He’s not sure if Ralph has either but there’s no one else he trusts with something so raw. So, after wiping the tears from his eyes and the snot from his upper lip, trying his best to ignore the steady tail thump of the dog currently sagged over his lap, he dials Ralph.
“Hey... can you come over? Bring Diablo.”
( @oftacosandink )
