Saturday, March 12, 2011

In memory of Terry

This week's prompt on Writers Island is Tribute, and at Sunday Scribblings, Big.

His name was Terry. He was never particularly big, not in size anyway. But what he lacked in stature he made up for in so many other ways.


He was certainly big in character! Whether in a room with just a couple of people or in a crowd, he was always the centre of attention. Tactile too. On many occasions his friendly touch was deemed inappropriate! But he only had to look at his startled victim with his big brown eyes and all was forgiven. He would never stand for any nonsense, but everyone said his bark was worse than his bite!


He lived with his friend Mavis, and as she grew older she became increasingly dependent on Terry. He became her eyes and her ears. He fetched and carried for her and made sure she came to no harm. He would always wait for Mavis to fall asleep at night before turning in himself. But one morning Mavis didn’t wake up.


After Mavis died, something inside Terry died too. He was never the same again. He went to live with Mavis’s daughter, but in no time at all he became ill and died too.


He was buried alongside Mavis in the village churchyard. The inscription on his gravestone simply says:-


Here lies Terry the Terrier
Mavis's best friend

23 comments:

  1. This brought a lump to my throat. Dogs are such good people!

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  2. A lovely tale..I hope they are back together again..Jae

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  3. This made me cry, Terry and all dogs are just so special.

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  4. A poignant turn at the end of a lovely compact story.

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  5. The story jogged on very well till I was slightly nudged and knocked down!! Great punch :)

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  6. You rooked me in and then blew me away with tears. Dogs are so forgiving and loyal.

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  7. Fantastic! Great turn - I didn't see it coming. Then I went back to re-read and wondered why not - the clues are there. Love this tribute to Terry.

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  8. I didn't see the ending coming either, but was carried along with the story, and delighted to discover that Terry was indeed the very best of furry friends. Great tribute!

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  9. Do you have a cure for the lump in my throat? Fabulous piece!

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  10. Dogs are such good subjects for a writer. Your readers just lap it up so to speak.

    Even a cynic like me enjoyed it too!

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  11. Aren't you so clever! Well done Mister!! Sad but often true with animals and long term partners!! They die of a broken heart!

    Hugs Giggles .....the dog lover! Small dogs with small do do!

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  12. Well done Keith, smashing story and a poignant finish. Enjoyed it enormously.

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  13. Keith, this is such a touching and amazing tribute. When I read that he became her eyes and ears, I thought I saw where you were going.
    You've written a beautiful tribute to her beautiful friend.

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  14. Dead good! I didn't clock it until the very last line.

    Nicely recorded!!

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  15. Precious, sad, true, heartfelt.

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  16. Dogs are people too. Nicely written.

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  17. I didn't see Terry's real character until the end. What a beautiful relationship, that of Mavis and her pooch. The ending was a surprise and brought a tear to my eye... thank you for that heartfelt tribute to someone small in stature but BIG in importance.

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  18. Dogs are REAL people...I am touched by this...

    Here is my Sunday Scribbling post:
    unknown gap

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  19. Oh how beautiful. I love to prose as you lead us into the story thinking Terry is a dog, but not quite sure.

    Thank you - I will be back for more!

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  20. Oh, so sad! I can relate. Our best dog ever passed away a few years ago. The whole family was devastated.

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  21. Nice Keith, reminds me of that gray friar"s bobby, now what was that movie called, the little dog who tried to stay with his master, sleeping on his grave?

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