NNW

I woke earlier than usual today, just as the sun was peaking over the horizon. I stretched, attempting to alleviate the stiffness that had appeared in my body over night.

Crap! I thought. Today’s the day.

My master didn’t rise for another two hours, during which I spent time outside, trying to get rid of my anxiousness. He showered, shaved, and dressed, his usual morning activities, then grabbed my collar and leash.

“Here boy!” He whistled twice. “Come on Sam!”

I ran downheartedly inside, tail between my legs. He filled my bowl and allowed me to eat for a bit, then took me outside. After I had “done my business”, he placed me in the passenger seat of the car and we were off.

As we rode, my master rolled down my window, allowing me to stick my head out and enjoy the rush of the wind whipping passed my face. It did something to quiet my nerves. After a few minutes, we arrived at our destination.

As my master opened my door, I made a last attempt at fleeing. He easily hung on to my leash. The man dragged me inside, my paws scraping across concrete and then tile. That was where I gave up my attempt at escaping.

Women, dressed in a shirt with all different types of pups on it walked up to my master. They spoke softly for a few minutes. He handed her the leash, then knelt to look me in the eye and scratch behind my ear.

“You be good, boy. You hear?” He stood and walked out of the building. I looked back as the door swung shut behind him.

“Come on, boy,” the nurse said in a sweet tone. She led me out of the lobby and into a clean, very cold room.

“Get up here,” she said, patting a silver table. I hesitated for a moment, and then jumped up.

A man, or at least I think he was a man, walked into the room. He was old, older than any other person I had ever seen, skin drawn taunt against his bones. He was so old I was sure that there should be cobwebs hanging around him. He wore pristinely white scrubs. Two other, much younger, men followed him.

“Ok boy. This will be over really quick,” Cobweb man spoke loudly. He walked over to the table and looked down at me softly. One of the other men placed a mask over my face, which was putting out a horrible smelling gas. I squirmed, but only for a second. Then everything went black.

***

I awoke groggy and incoherent. I was back in my bed at home, my private wrapped up in a bandage. I tried to move, and pain shot through my entire body. I felt empty, like my entire personality had been taken away. I fell back down against the bed.

I am a dog, and from this day forward shall be known as NNW, a.k.a. the No Nut Wonder.