| General Non-Fiction posted December 11, 2024 |
  |
a true story
First Impression
by Mia Twysted
The author has placed a warning on this post for language.
Growing up, my family had a dog, a black lab named Coors. We were raised together, laughing and playing. It was hard to leave her behind when I headed out into the world on my own. Every time I went home, Coors was as happy to see me as I was to see her. It was like we were never apart; however, eventually, she passed, I moved away from home, and my parents got other dogs.
This story is about their dog named Libby.
EMERGENCE
Set the scene. It was February in PA, and my mother was being rushed to the hospital. She was unresponsive and barely breathing. I packed a bag and headed out from Oklahoma with my husband to be by her side.
When I arrived in PA, I went to the hospital to check on her. She had woken up by this time but was very slow and weak. In the end, she pulled through, but that night, she was in tears in my arms and needing comfort. The sky was dark, the snow was falling, and she beckoned my father back to her side.
At this time, they had not long gotten a shelter dog, Libby. Libby was scared to be alone and went everywhere they went.
This all happened during the COVID era, and so the hospital rules were that each patient could only have one visitor at a time. In order for my father to come up, I had to leave. Meeting him in the lobby, we embraced, and then he asked me to go and make sure Libby stayed warm as she was in the car.
MEET AND GREET
My father's keys jingled as I found, inserted, and turned the key to the driver's door. Opening the door, I slid into the driver's seat, intent on turning on the engine.
Libby leaped forward from the backseat in mama bear mode. Vicious teeth snapping at me, I acted on instinct. My ass stumbled out of the car and slammed the door. As much as I don't like cold, I prefer it to death.
It had not occurred to me or my father that Libby and I had never met. Though we had several FaceTime sessions, and I was familiar with her, she was not so familiar with me.
It had not occurred to me or my father that Libby and I had never met. Though we had several FaceTime sessions, and I was familiar with her, she was not so familiar with me.
As fate or responsible animal parents would have it, Libby was on a leash. That leash gave her access to the entire back but capped her access to the front seats. That very leash saved me from a savage attack.
I don't hold it against her. She was protecting her domain from an unknown threat.
I slowly got in the car and turned it on, keeping as close to the steering wheel as possible, and Libby wasn't happy about my presence.
NOT GOING DOWN ALONE
As my husband had dropped me off at the hospital, he returned to pick me up. I invited him to wait in the car with me and Libby, who had calmed down but kept a close eye on me.
Never underestimate a dog. My husband opened the passenger door and sat down. As if sparked by dynamite, Libby lunged forward toward him.
She wasn't cool with any of this, but she was warm, just as I agreed to keep her. And there we sat against the dashboard until my father returned.
I've seen Libby a few times since that night, and though she no longer tries to attack me, I swear when she thinks no one is looking, she gives me a look because first impressions mean a lot. My father says I'm crazy, but let me tell you the one thing I am sure of. If I had put that car in gear, she would have torn that leash and mauled me.
True Story Contest contest entry
Artwork by MoonWillow at FanArtReview.com
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2024. Mia Twysted All rights reserved.
Mia Twysted has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.