“Still nothing,” Sally said as soon as Damian came through the door.
His shoulders sagged. The whole drive home he’d hoped for news. He didn’t dare imagine beyond that, but his arms ached and his cheeks felt cold without the welcome of unabashed wriggles and wet kisses.
And to think he’d never wanted “a beast in the house.” To think he’d been so set against it.
Little did he know that a furball in a giant velvet bow would burrow deeper into his heart than anyone before it. Including, if he was honest, the two-legged.
“I taped more flyers,” Sally filled the silence. “And called the vets … just in case.”
Damian nodded over the tightness in his throat.
“Mary is so sorry …” Sally pressed on. “She didn’t mean to leave the door unlatched.”
“I’ve to go,” Damian grabbed his gun. “I must find Fido before the dark does.”
For Crispina’s Crimson’s Creative Challenge
Na'ama Yehuda 
Oh no, I hope he finds him. Great storytelling. KL ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I hope he finds him, too! And finds him in tail-wagging shape!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that horrible feeling of looking for a lost pet. I know it too well. I so hope they find Fido! Wonderfully written, my friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dale! I hope they find him and in good tail-wagging, wet-kisses condition!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
woof woof!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐶🐕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, captures the distress wonderfully. But I’m puzzled by why he grabs a gun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure why he grabs the gun, either … but I’m thinking (given that I don’t know the setting of the photo the way you do … 😉 ) is that where they live may be wooded, and there may be coyotes, wolves, bears, and who knows what in them woods come dark … So, he may need a bit of protection from what may be a threat to his pup. That, at least, was my first thought … but you know how nuts people can be … so who knows … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea, and I wasn’t thinking of your environment, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MY environment….? 😉
Yeah, though, there are some areas in the world, where one may feel the need to have a weapon to just go outside … oy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not immediate environment…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope this is fiction, for it is too sad for words…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes … it is fiction … but it is probably truth for many … and is a very sad one for any who live it …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know the feeling. Grabbing the gun though… weird.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know … I hope he doesn’t intend to use it on anyone … Though, in my mind, they live in a relatively rural area and there may be bears and coyotes and wolves around, who’d like to have Fido for a snack … and who may need some ‘persuading’ not to … Still, yeah, a bit extreme …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my. Please find him soon. I dare not read this to my wife, she’ll be reaching for the tissues (I’m close).
I get the gun image. The guy loves that dog, lost, wandering out in the woods and woods aren’t our preserve. I’m guessing he’s worried about bears, and intends to scare them off with one shot in the air, unless they are attacking his dog, he loves that dog, doesn’t he?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I hope it’ll be found soon, and in perfect tail-wagging condition. It is so very sad when any of them get lost, isn’t it? And … yep, the gun may help scare away anything that could have made plans of Fido-for-Dinner. He sure does love that dog … as so many of us do our furry family members. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bond between us and dogs sometimes takes your breath away:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59197048
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Thank you for that! And … yes, that bond is something else!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐶❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person