Authors: Carmella Jones
1.
Dana sat on her plush sofa and looked at Steve scrolling through his phone. Periodically it would ding or make a beeping noise. When he would feel her staring at him, he would look up and quickly put the phone back in his pocket. They were on one of their few date nights and had decided to spend the evening together cuddled up on the couch, eating Chinese food and streaming an old movie. She looked into Steve's deep blue eyes and felt a shiver of longing. He was what most girls would have considered classically handsome. He was tall with blond hair and built solidly. He worked out every day and took care of himself. Steve was athletic and, despite nearing his mid-thirties, was a personal trainer at the gym in town. Dana looked at Steve and smiled. She considered herself lucky to have found a good man with a good job. He was kind to her and normally had a good disposition and a great sense of humor. He was always pulling practical jokes on his coworkers at the gym and would tell her all about it. She loved his smile and the way he always made at least a little time for her during the course of the day.
Remembering the day he walked in to the insurance office she worked at, she smiled. He was getting a new policy on an SUV he just purchased, and his boyish exuberance had shown. He was so struck by her beauty that he stopped mid-sentence asking about prices. When he finished his transaction she could see him trying to work up his nerve to get her number. It was then Dana took the initiative and handed him a bright pink card that had her information on it. She smiled at him, sensing his nerves, and just said, “You call me whenever you feel like it, Steve. I get off work at five.” She then turned back around in her chair to her computer and began typing up some emails, running her fingers through her long, blonde hair. She smiled and blushed, already wondering if the handsome stranger would call.
Arriving home from work, she greeted her faithful Lab mix, Spark. Spark ran up to her, wagging her charcoal-colored tail and sat down while Dana cuddled and pet her. She had gotten Spark from the local animal rescue organization to go with her when she walked or jogged in the park and Spark quickly found her spot in Dana's heart. Grabbing Spark's leash, she looked at the happy dog and said, “Spark, let's go for a walk. There's a lot we need to talk about. I met someone at work today and he may be coming over later.” Spark just woofed in response and they exited the apartment. Dana walked Spark to the small park a few blocks away and they quickly made a few laps, taking in the sights and sounds. On the route back, Dana's phone rang. It was Steve, and they made dinner plans. Dana was pleased he had called her so soon. “Spark, that was Steve. We're going out tonight. Isn't that wonderful?” The lab just woofed and wagged her tail as they walked home.
Steve became a permanent fixture in their lives from that night forward and Dana blossomed in her new relationship. She always had a penchant for picking men who had troubled pasts. She wanted nothing more than to fix them. Steve was different, though; he was kind, generous, smart, and good-looking. She deserved a break and thought Steve was her reward for all of her previous terrible relationships.
Looking at her, Steve sighed deeply as his phone beeped once more. “I'm sorry, honey. These clients are non-stop tonight. I think I better call it an early night.” She tried sliding closer to him on the couch and putting her hand on his thigh. He moved away from her, and Dana frowned.
“Are you sure you can't stay?”
“Nah, babe. I've got some meetings early in the morning.”
“Oh, well...you should let me take some of that stress off of your mind.” She gave him wink and a devilish smile, indicating that she wanted him for more than a sleeping companion that night.
He got up from the couch then and walked towards the door. As he did, he pulled his phone out of his pocket once again. Dana stood up also, following him to the door. “Who are you texting anyway?!”
“Really, babe, it's nothing you need to be concerned about.”
“If it's taking time away from us and our relationship, it's something I need to be concerned about.”
She reached for his phone then, and he jerked it away, but in that movement, she saw the client he had been talking to. It was a woman much younger than herself. The “client” definitely was more than a professional contact, as she saw the picture that Steve had been sent. The attractive woman was clad only in a skimpy black thong and most of her body was exposed.
“Babe, really it's--”
Dana's eyes filled with tears and her voice shook with anger. “It's what?! Nothing?! Oh my God, how could you do this to me?! We have a future together!”
“Babe, I'm sorry...she was at the gym, and it just...happened. I don't know what to say.”
“Go. Get out. I'll send your things.”
Steve didn't say another word. Instead he just walked out the door. Dana went and sat back down on the couch, and sobbed while Spark went and lay by the front door, whining pitifully. Dana took the next week off of work and packed up Steve's things. She would pause occasionally when picking up one of his baseball caps, or one of the sweatshirts he'd left for her, stopping to inhale his scent. She allowed herself a few tears before she folded the items and placed them in boxes.
2.
Dana was nearly finished packing Steve's belongings and ready to have them shipped. One day at the end of the week, however, she went to get Spark's leash for their daily walk but Spark didn't respond. She didn't come running and wagging her tail like usual. Dana called out for her repeatedly, but the dog didn't come at the sound of her voice like she always had. Dana panicked and went from room to room calling to her furry friend, and the dog still didn't respond. Walking into the bedroom, she found Spark lying on the foot of her bed, despondent. She bent over the dog and patted her head while talking to her in a soothing voice. “Hey, honey. I was calling for you. What's wrong, baby?” The dog merely looked up at her with sad, brown eyes and didn't even wag her tail. Concerned, Dana felt the dog's nose, it didn't feel warm to the touch, so it didn't seem to be a fever. She stroked the dog's fur and tried to provide her comfort. The dog didn't even lick Dana's hands. Dana left the room and came back with a couple of treats. Spark didn't attempt to eat the treats, just sniffed them and laid her head back down.
Dana had never seen Spark behave this way in all the years they spent together. She decided that she didn't want to chance Spark's health. She called her vet's office and made an appointment. The office had just had a cancellation, so Dana had the opportunity to take her in immediately. Looping the leash through Spark's collar, she coaxed the dog from the bed and out to her car. Spark was normally excited to go for a ride, but today she just obediently hopped up in the back seat and lay down. “Oh, sweetheart, we're going to the vet. We're going to get you taken care of. I hate seeing you sick, my Spark.” Dana took off and looked worriedly in the rearview mirror at the dog. She hoped Spark would be okay. She honestly didn't know what she would do if something happened to her bestie.
2.
Dana pulled up to her vet's office and noticed that it was mostly empty. She was fortunate that the day's appointments had been taken care of and they were able to work her in on such short notice. She coaxed Spark out of the car and led her by her leash into the office where she stood and checked in. The receptionist took her information and Dana handed her a credit card for payment. When she was signed in she took Spark and sat in the waiting room. She talked to Spark reassuringly and patted her on the head, then stroked her sides. The dog was still despondent, and Dana frowned.
A petite, red-haired vet tech came to the window and called out for Spark to come to the examination room. The tech ran her hands through her hair and gently took the leash from Dana. Dana felt their hands brush and felt an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. She thought to herself that the week must have taken a toll and her nerves were acting up. The vet tech noticed Dana's worry and smiled at her reassuringly as she picked up Spark and put her on the exam table. “Don't worry. We'll get your pal fixed up. Hi. I'm Alex. I'm a vet tech, well, vet-in-training. I'll be seeing Spark today. Dr. Summers had to leave for an emergency in the country a few minutes ago. Apparently there's a colt being born.”
Dana extended her hand again, when Alex offered hers in greeting. “I'm Dana. It's nice to meet you.”
“So, tell me what's wrong with Spark here. Other than she's too cute for words.”
Dana smiled and responded, “Well, that's the problem. Usually, she's much cuter...more playful. She just hasn't been herself; she won't come to me on command like normal. She's not wagging her tail. She's just lethargic. She won't touch her treats or play with her ball.”
Alex nodded and pulled a small pen light out of her pocket. She looked into the dog's eyes and then patted her on the head. She then placed her hands on the dog's body feeling her muscle mass. “Has she been drinking water?”
“Yeah. I saw her drink some this morning. But she won't eat.”
“Well, don't worry, we'll figure out what's going on.”
Alex then took her stethoscope off of her neck and placed it to the dog's neck and then sides. She listened intently while Dana looked on. She noticed the woman wore a Wonder Woman scrub top and a digital watch, but did little with makeup. Her long, red hair was pulled up behind her and she had a good body. She was physically fit and it was clear by her mannerisms that she loved animals and seemed passionate about her job. Even in a scrubs, Dana found herself tracing the outline of her curves. Dana remembered her younger years and found herself wishing she had followed a different path in life and chosen to pursue her own passions as aggressively.
Dana was shaken from her stupor when she realized that Alex was staring at her and moving her lips. “Dana?”
“Oh. I'm sorry, I was just thinking...worried I suppose.”
“It's okay. I think I've figured out what's going on here.”
“Oh, good.” She gave Alex a hopeful smile and asked, “So what's wrong with my favorite girl?”
“To be perfectly honest, nothing.”
“What? Why is she being that way if nothing's wrong?”
Alex took a few moments to pet Spark's ears and offered her a treat that she pulled from her scrub pocket. The animal sniffed it for a moment, then took it between her jaws. The biscuit made a crunching sound as she happily chomped it while the women continued their conversation. Alex motioned for Dana to take a seat and Dana sat on the edge of the exam room table with Spark. Alex then pulled up the stool in the room and sat across from her. “So, recently have you had anyone in your life disappear?”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you had company lately that's left? Or have you had someone in your family pass away? Anything like that?”
Dana's face turned grave and she cast her eyes downward. She blinked a few times to force back the tears that were beginning to brim. “Yes.”
“I mean, you don't have to elaborate if you don't want to.” She pulled the stool closer to Dana and reached out to pet Spark's head once again, handing her another dog biscuit.
“Um, I have had some changes recently.”
Dana looked into Alex's caring green eyes and took a deep breath. She didn't know why she felt the need to tell this random woman she just met about her break up, but she was compelled. “It's been two weeks now. I had a boyfriend. His name was Steve. We broke up. He was cheating on me.”
“Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that, Dana. Then that's definitely the problem. You see, dogs are a lot like humans, only they live more in the now, so to speak. What that means is that Spark is grieving.”
“Oh. Wow. I didn't even think she'd be affected any.”
“Well, don't beat yourself up over it. Most people would have brought her in as well. The fact is, I'm glad you're a concerned enough doggie parent to do so. Her mood will improve in time, and gradually you'll notice she'll be back to her old self.”
Alex then pulled closer to Dana and placed her hands on top of the older woman's. She then pointedly said, “I'm sure you'll improve as well.”
Dana returned Alex's kind smile and said, “In time, I suppose.”
Alex then removed her hands from the woman's and changed the subject back to Spark. “Take care of her as you would yourself. Or at least I'm hoping you are. Make sure she's still eating and drinking. You may even want to fix her some special treats until her appetite improves, I'd recommend grilled or broiled chicken. Still take her on her daily walks and just be sure she knows she's loved. If you don't see any signs of her improving, by all means bring her back.”
Alex then gave her a card with her phone number on it. “If you notice any other unexplained symptoms, or vomiting, give me a call. I'll be calling in a couple days just to check on her.”