Shaking on the stone slab she has been ordered to sit on, her eyes catch mine. Rain soaks into her black fur; her body is trembling. Our hearts beat symbiotically. Shame fills me with molten liquid. I do nothing. I watch her pleading eyes as she inches forwards towards the back door. I watch as she is ordered back to her slab. I watch as her neck fur is grasped, spittle splashing on her face as she’s ordered to stay! Back then, numb with fear, I did nothing. Now, her wagging tail greets me as I enter our new home.
Debbie Violet lives and writes from her narrow boat. Debbie writes poetry and short fiction for adults and runs spoken word events.