Short story

  I lay by the fire, slowly drifting to sleep. The kids toys strewn about the living room and I find some among my bed, somehow to comfort me I guess. My mother strokes my hair. There is occasional sharp stabbings of pain in my right side but I ignore it, I wish for my family to smile not cry. It never bothers me, and it never will.

   I've been to the doctors three times this week, they've told my mother and father I have something called cancer, which is twisting its way through my intestines. They said there was nothing they could do. I’m not really sure what that entails but for some reason my family has changed in a way. They've brought me out for long strolls in the woods, we play Frisbee more, and Mother has even given me some extra food, but I wish they weren't different, I want them to be normal like when I was young. 

   Back in the day when I had a spring in my step, my mother would take me for weekly "daycare" as she called it, although to me it was a time I could romp around and play rough with my friends. I could play Frisbee with my Parents forever without ever getting tired. I could eat mounds of food without ever getting full. I could stay up all night pretending to protect the house from intruders making noises at anything that moved, and scaring my parents when they came downstairs for a drink. It used to be so easy.

  Now I’m no longer young. Tonight things finally feel normal to a point. I wasn't hungry but Mother fed me at five anyways, the kids, as always, laid a toy or two upon my bed. The sharp pains seem to subside and then they come again. I lay down on the old couch next to the fire. My mother sits beside me and strokes my hair. I feel myself fading into a deep slumber, but this feels different. At that moment just before I drifted I thought of things I’m proud of. Every day I start the day without caffeine. I’m always cheerful, ignoring my aches and pains. I never complain and bore people with my troubles. I eat the same food every day, and for that I am always grateful. I always understand when Mother and Father are too busy to give me time. I can overlook when people take things out on me. I can face the world without lies and deceit. Lastly I can love unconditionally. Because I am, my family’s dog.