Comment from wilkswrites

Excellent

Nicely told story here. I especially enjoyed the way you gave voice to the animals. Sharing parts of the story from the dog's point of few was wise. I was able to follow your story easily. Great job and congrats on winning the contest.

 Comment Written 07-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 12-Jan-2017

Hi there, first let me apologize for my delay in acknowledging your RR&R. The holidays have been unusually busy this year, followed by out of town company, so I have been off the site for weeks. Thank you for your kind words, and wonderful review. Happy 2017!

Comment from Marvin Calloway

Exceptional

A sad story with a glimmer of a happy ending.
At times, it was difficult to tell where the dog ended and the human began.
No one tells a story like you. I pity your having to relive it with the telling.
Marv

 Comment Written 09-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Dec-2016

Good morning, Marvin. So good to hear from you, and I thank you for your RR&R and wonderful six star review. So very appreciated. Have a great weekend!

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

This had me in tears, Mary. I almost skipped it because of the length. As usual, your beautiful prose kept me going. I fell in love with that poor dog. I could never work in a shelter. It would break my heart. Pets are even better than children. They love unconditionally.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Dec-2016

Good morning, Shari. Thank you for sticking with it and for your review. It seems to me it is getting harder and harder to get reviews on prose, so I appreciate you taking the time and effort.

I don't think I will ever get over Princess. The behaviorist I brought in had the gift of communication. When I asked her to get a read from Princess once she shared that little tidbit, the woman started crying. Princess was afraid she had come to take her back to 'that place' when my husband was demanding it after the second attack on our doodle. She also told her that she liked it at our house, but missed her pack terribly. I know she grieved for that family every day. They didn't deserve her loyalty.

reply by Spitfire on 09-Dec-2016

Prose does get the shaft on FS. I rarely bother with reading the poetry myself.
Did you give Princess messages to reassure her? I found out that you can ask questions when souls come through from the other side.

reply by the author on 09-Dec-2016

Yes, I did--told her we woukd never send her back, and we loved her, but she had to stop attacking our other dog. She said she felt terrible about what she did, bu
she did to Sophie. Toward the end, Sophie never kedt her side, along with Jack cat. thankShe also shared she loved her name, Princess. I had been talking about changing it because I hate the Princess mentality in raising daughters and in raising pups. Princess name stayed after that reveal! Thank you, Shari.

reply by Spitfire on 09-Dec-2016

I bet that gave both of you peace of mind.

Comment from Dustybones

Excellent

This was both sad and happy. I was hoping the other two dogs would be rescued. Maybe they were? I am very affected by this story.

I wrote about Mack before he flew to my home and the day I drove to the airport to pick up my Rat Terrier. It was four years ago. He was actually a Toy Fox Terrier. He was small but I never consider him to be that small to be called a toy. If so he was a strong oversized boy to be called a toy dog. (And very brave)

I'm holding him in my profile picture. I just found this photo in my wife's cell phone.
It was taken when he was still a pup.

He passed away in February 2016 at about four years of age. He had a narrow esophagus from birth. He was very active and couldn't continue living with his condition.

There lots more to Mack, than I can tell you. What counts is that he lived with his condition. He never let it bother him. The vets and I didn't even know. It wasn't until his last days that he got too ill from his problems. He might have made it another year or more if he just hung around,but he was a runner and a ball chaser. I'm very sad everyday that he's not still with me.

Like my post, I believe he was with me for a reason, and I gave him the very best life a dog could have. When it was his time, that was that. There was nothing to be done. I know in my heart I did what I thought was the best for Mack. I want to write out more of his life, if I can bring myself to say more.

Boyd.

Your story was wonderfully written, it was right from your heart.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Dec-2016

I'm so sorry, Dusty. I thought I had thanked you for your RR&R, but then either I was dreaming when I write it, out there was a glitch in the system and it did not get sent. I'm going with the glitch. I read your story of Mack earlier, and it was remarkable. I appreciate your kind words in your review of my dog's story. Maybe Princess and Mack are buddies now, both being from AZ originally. Have a great day.

Comment from Thomas Bowling

Excellent

A bittersweet story that happens far too often. Some owners should be put down and their pets set free. Sometimes the vet is the culprit. Many vets recommend putting a pet down as a first response. I know this from personal experience A few years ago I posted a blog online, "Don't let the Vet Kill Your Pet."

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2016

Thank you, Thomas for you RR&R. Much appreciated. I'm sorry about your experience with your dog and vet. Ours really went the distance with Princess. We tried everything until she could no longer walk.
I'm sure both extremes
happen. I once had a vet try to order a $1500 dollar mri for our golden retriever he was treating for spleen cancer. When I told him I couldnt afford it, he guilt'd me by saying he'd do it if it was his dog. I left his office and never went back. My dog died a week later under the care of a great vet who said there was no hope and suggested euthanasia. He couldn't believe the mri was even suggested.

I'd be interested in reading your blog on that experience, ig you could send me the link..or repost it here as an essay, even better.

Thanks again, Thomas.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

I got up to do some reading because I couldn't sleep and now tears stream down my face after reading about your beautiful Princess. I do so hate that last trip to the vet. Beautifully told Mary,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2016

Hello Valda, and thank you for the wonderful review on this story. I bawled while writing it, then again in reading it to my husband. Prin was a very special dog, and one I will never quite get over. Your six is a beautiful touch to adorn her pain, then her salvation. Thank you so very much. Have a wonderful evening. I'm heading over now to read your potlatch now that my grandson is down for his nap.

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

The story tugged at my heart. Princess was loved, and that's all that really matters. I'm sure that writing this story must've brought up a ton of emotion for you. Our 4-footed family members usually take huge chunks of our hearts simply because they love with ALL of theirs.

Thank you for sharing this one. You did a good job with the point of view, and in showing - not telling.

~patty~

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2016

Good morning, Patty, and thank you so much for your RR&R. It was a tough write and not the first I've written about my sweet girl. I appreciate your kind words and vote of confidence. POV writing is a challenge for me. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

You did it again. See the rating.

"The trio of tails wagging..." - this is a fragmented sentence.

The very next one is a run-on. (yer killin me)

The next one is a fragmented sentence again. So sorry, Mary, but I know you want me to call you on it when it's grammar-related, yes?

"At 110 ... "- another incomplete sentence.

You are one in a million. How can something be outstanding, with several grammar errors? But I swear to God if I was an editor for the most prestigious magazine in the country I would red pen those mistakes and mark the story for publication.

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2016

Good morning/afternoon, Dawn! Thank you for your excellent RR&R and that beautiful SIX. I absolutely seek the kind of reviews your provide, so never hold back. I've made changes per your suggestions and still wonder if I have it right, but after going back, could completely understand what you meant.

I miss our chats, but understand how completely busy you are with all the is happening with your publishing efforts. You rock!

Have a great afternoon and thank you for the awesome review.

reply by Dawn Munro on 06-Dec-2016

My pleasure. Now, would you like a great fiction read? Go read Barkingdog's part 3, "Simon Brewster" - she tweaked it after I told her I didn't believe it, that it wasn't authentic. It reads like a James Patterson now, I swear - it's GREAT. Enlarge it, and it could be a movie.

THAT'S reviewing, and THAT'S what we are all about, IMO - good writers, out to be great.

Remember the few authors I mentioned to you who are not here anymore but are fabulous? (I SO hope they will come back...) Anyway, that's the kind of review you could expect from them - honest, sometimes raw even, but always, always out to help hone a craft, and to hell with a stupid star system or anything else. We used this site to OUR BEST advantage, not for some silly ego-boost.

Lots is said about fluff reviews and so on, but I stand firm - in a PROFESSIONAL community of writers there IS no competition - real writers KNOW it's all a matter of the right fit with the magazine (or publisher, etc.), the right timing, and so on - it has nothing to do with who's better than who.

IMO, you are among my chosen group of those who have what it takes. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - whether you believe I have what it takes too or not - doesn't matter. I AM an avid reader, with fabulous reading comprehension, (some medical lingo, even 'legalese'), great grammar credentials from college, (I even find myself - almost daily - appalled at some of the broadcasters mistakes) and so on, so I guess I'm a fair judge of what's good and what's not. I have a LOT of life experience too (though admittedly, not in recent years, so much - LOL).

I don't say all this to boast, I say it to defend my own word/reviews (too humble for some brain-dead individuals) because there are some know-it-all-s who are anything but, and they can be VERY discouraging.

I won't be around as much (as I told you), but I will still be here, as much as I can, for that group and the occasional 'new-to-me' one. I thank members like YOU for making me want to...

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

I started reading this and was enjoying it until tragedy struck the dogs. I skimmed a bit and could see what was coming. Even that quick glance was too much for me. I'm far too sensitive to animals' suffering. It's not your fault at all. It's well written, just not a topic I can handle.

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2016

Hi Phyllis, I completely understand. I bawl every time I write about Princess. I appreciate your effort in trying to read it, nonetheless. Thank you for the RR&R and excellent rating. Much appreciated. Have a wonderful day!

Comment from emptypage

Exceptional

I am killed.

This hurt me to the core. I am a dog mom and losing dogs is far harder for me than losing humans. Maybe that's a bad thing, but no dog ever betrayed me or said s/he hated me.

The story is very well written. I love the POV. I wish we knew about the other two pups.

One thing. You wrote, "Princess's mind vasilated between confusion, terror and anger." Vacillated, I think, is the correct spelling. Well, I know it is.

Excellent work, Mary. As usual. Only this time I have a six!

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2016

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2016

Marla, thank you for this amazing review. I'm sorry for the pain you've experienced, and this writing bringing it back. I do understand where you ate coming from.

what I didn't add to the story but will share with you ... the woman who evaluated Princess, a dog behaviorist, had the gift of communicating with animals. (it's hard enough getting reviews on prose--I didn't want to offput anyone by thinking I'm cra-cra). The woman became quite emotional when Princess expressed she thought the woman had come to take her back to 'that horrible place'--the dog pound, following her second attack on our other female dog with pretty serious injuries. Princess also relayed she 'liked it at our house, but missed her first family and pack terribly.' I was never into the "Princess" term or mindset with myself or when raising my daughters. I find it annoying and demeaning as hell.

So here is this 110 pound dog I adopted that came with the moniker. I was in the process of trying to change her name to Tiny since bringing her home (she was anything but). She also told the woman thatday she loved her name, Princess, and that she didn't want to be called anything else.--that she heard me talking about changing it with my family. Kind of weird, huh? Her name stuck from that moment on, in spite of my disdain for it. I couldnt strip of one more thing she loved.

I don't know if the woman was legit in communicating, but I can tell you even though Prin was loved by my family and me, there was always a sadness about her.

I think that is why I was so drawn to her, and still feel her loss so deeply three years later.

Thanks again,Marla, for your heartfelt review and beautiful assignment of a six.

reply by emptypage on 05-Dec-2016

I have three rescues, Mary. The most recent addition, Maggie, was thrown out with two other dogs and the other two were picked up before I ever found Maggie. She is still sad. It has been 8 months and she just now has started to let me rub her belly--though she's quite pushy in the bed. I hope she loses her sadness. One pup, Lola--I didn't name her, but since she was seven I couldn't change it--is sad, too, but not in the same way. Jasper, on the other hand, is happy. And I totally believe they remember.

I also believe in you behaviorist gal.

Aren't dogs the best? I'm so glad you saved Princess.