登陆注册
875600000002

第2章 若别离,莫相忘 (1)

Even if the death can not separate us

我的主人们,

请不要为我悲伤太久,

不管我睡得多沉,

依旧可以听到你们的呼唤,

所有的死神都无法阻止我

朝你们欢快地摇尾巴。

一只狗狗的告白

A Dog's Last Will

佚名 / Anonymous

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was “bad”, you’d shake your finger at me and ask “How could you?”—but then you’d relent, and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because “ice cream is bad for dogs”, you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a “dog person”—still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a “prisoner of love”. As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch—because your touch was now so infrequent—and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered “yes” and changed the subject. I had gone from being “your dog” to “just a dog”, and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You’ve made the right decision for your “family”, but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said “I know you will find a good home for her”. They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with “papers”. You had to pry your son’s fingers loose from my collar, as he screamed, “No, Daddy. Please don’t let them take my dog!” And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked , “How could you?”

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you—that you had changed your mind—that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicing for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, “How could you?”

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said “I’m so sorry”. She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself—a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my “How could you?” was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

同类推荐
  • 临时应急会话宝典

    临时应急会话宝典

    本书主要是为英语口语学习者准备的,以句子的形式表达各种情况。句子中包括了实用的词汇及短语。对于有相同说法的词语或句子,书中也做了说明。本书以主题划分,分为十大主题,主题以下又划分为具体的状况,比如:逛街购物时如何讨价还价,挑选衣服;面试找工作时,应聘者如何自我介绍,面试者如何提问;身在外国时需要去药店、去医院等等,涉及日常生活、工作、出国等方方面面,读者可以很轻松地找到应急的那句话。同时还配备MP3,让你听到原汁原味的英音。
  • 考研英语词汇词根词缀高效记忆:轻松背单词

    考研英语词汇词根词缀高效记忆:轻松背单词

    书中所收录的单词都是从历届研究生英语考试题中提炼出来的。编者利用先进的电脑统计分析技术,对历年考试题中出现的单词进行系统的电脑分频,将历年考题中出现频率较高的单词甄选出来,标注为常考单词。考题中出现频率较低的,但是考试范围内的单词,标注为普通单词。极大地方便了考生有的放矢地去背单词。
  • 出国应急英语大全

    出国应急英语大全

    “语言的魅力,不仅在于说得对,更在于说得地道得体。很多的英语爱好者在学习时,总是习惯自己先预定场景,再根据情节进行口语练习。而这个场景因为我们的思维定势常常被中国化,而非英语国家的真实语境。在国外真实的语境中,对话是灵活多变的,所以很多学习者在学了多年英语后,还是无法与老外进行流利沟通,自然就无法在国外畅通无阻,随心所欲地旅行了。
  • 我的最后一本日语语法书,看这本真的够了

    我的最后一本日语语法书,看这本真的够了

    翻开这本基础日语书。这里也许没有大受吹捧的“抛开语法学日语”,但这里有循序渐进的语法讲解和会话分析;这里也许没有“2000句让你走遍日本”的噱头,但这里有深入浅出的单词详解和表达方式;这里也许没有“15天包你精通日语”的虚假诱惑,但这里有举一反三的地道敬语表达。在琳琅满目的日语学习书前徘徊,你要知道,自己需要的是什么。不是色彩缤纷、引人入胜的图画书;也并非东拼西凑、生搬硬套的词典;更不是让你只知其然而不知其所以然的教科书;而是基础扎实、内容丰富、表达地道的这本——《我的最后一本日语语法书,看这本真的够了》。
  • 美国佬都是骗子:英汉双语对照(双语译林)

    美国佬都是骗子:英汉双语对照(双语译林)

    《美国佬都是骗子》是一部现代短篇小说集,共收录短篇小说作品十一篇,分别出自英国和爱尔兰现当代文坛上的九位著名作家之手,时间跨度大致从十九世纪下半叶到二十世纪二十年代。一书在手,即能欣赏到诸多年代、诸多成名作家的传世之作,这可说是本书的一个特色;除译文之外,还附上了英文原文,便于有兴趣的读者直接欣赏英语语言之美,这也是本书的另一特色。
热门推荐
  • 每个世界我都疯狂加戏

    每个世界我都疯狂加戏

    叶鸩:是原本的我不够优秀吗小信信?系统:不!小鸩鸩!你在我心里是最优秀的!叶鸩:那为什么要让我维持人设嘤嘤嘤系统:……本系统也很为难啊——叶鸩:小信信!我宣你!系统:小鸩鸩!本系统也爱你!叶鸩:你愿意为我赴汤蹈火吗!系统:傻孩子,当然愿意啦!叶鸩:我要开外挂!要金手指!系统:……小鸩鸩乖,咱不要——叶鸩:小信信,你会一直陪着我吗?系统:会的,只要本系统的数据库不被重置叶鸩:那要是重置了呢?你就会忘了我吗?系统:嗯(气氛一时有些说不出来的味道)叶鸩:我开玩笑的那么严肃干嘛哈哈哈哈哈哈系统:小鸩鸩你要吓死本系统啊,滚一边儿玩去!叶鸩:好嘞!——欢迎收藏评论吖
  • 星语星缘:女神的贴身大少

    星语星缘:女神的贴身大少

    很多时候,碧落都在想,一辈子的时光温柔又绵长。而他们这些人,总是匆匆从岁月里打马而过。自始至终,她还是一个人。她却忘了,何许一直站在她身后,只要她一回头,就看得见。到头来,吴凡终于让他们都明白,事情的始末,永远不像因果本身那么简单……
  • 农家致富小娘子

    农家致富小娘子

    原主冤死,狠心的大伯正打算一卷草席埋了她。霸气“诈尸”,牛鬼蛇神统统绕道,背锅?她可不干!且看她,如何打脸极品、发家致富、谱写盛世田园!不过,那位帅死人不偿命的教书先生,你为什么老跟着我?想追我?有车有房吗?年收入多少?给得起聘礼吗?什么?你说其实你是将军!不好意思,作为全国首富,咱不稀罕!
  • 九爷爷的黄昏

    九爷爷的黄昏

    年前腊月十五日晚,十三婶被鬼上身的事情,整个小周庄都知道了。第二天中午,人们心有余悸,我奶奶曹氏喊我九爷爷周千九一家到自家吃饭。饭桌上,九奶奶南枝好奇地询问曹氏,昨晚十三婶被我九爷爷的前妻翠心附上身,到底是怎么回事。我奶奶曹氏说道,能是怎么回事?还不是因为你男人死赌,连死去十多年的翠心都看不过去了。听我奶奶曹氏讲完事情的经过,九奶奶南枝停下筷子,把饭碗朝小方桌上一搁,对我奶奶说道,四嫂,我今晚和青桃想在你家睡。曹氏一开始没怎么领会南枝的意思,只漫不经心地答应道,那就和以前一样,你俩睡里屋,吃完饭我去收拾收拾,铺好被子。
  • 黄华集

    黄华集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 情如白初:他的心里住着你

    情如白初:他的心里住着你

    (撩人男神vs学妹编剧)七年等候一人橙小姐和久先生的浪漫爱情,等你翻阅!他想牵着你的手,也想也把这余生的温柔交在你手里。文案一:久迟白:“我觉得,我们可以早点结婚。”他慵懒的目光,温柔中总带着带她的爱,不自觉的撩拨她少女的心。橙初:“原因?”橙小姐忙碌工作,无暇顾及久首席。久迟白:“因为,这样你忘记回家了,我还可以和宝宝在家里等你。”……高中是她追着他跑,连高考前的情书都不敢送,现在守得云开见月明,久先生就像是宝贝似的护着橙小姐。文案二:“你说,我要是生个女儿,她天天粘着你,你是不是就不理我了啊?”橙小姐担心道。他轻轻揽着她的肩,温柔一语,“不会,你才是我的公主。”久先生会一直喜欢橙小姐。
  • 与劈腿男一起穿越:王爷争妃宠

    与劈腿男一起穿越:王爷争妃宠

    三条腿的蛤蟆不好找,劈腿的男人满街跑。丫的,跟这个没有节操的男人一起穿越到更没有节操可言的古代……虾米?我是王妃。咱家王爷呢?大婚十来天,青楼去点名。虽然她一人坐拥豪华王府逍遥自在,但老妈前来亲授驯夫大法,OK,我去请他回家…啥?还要捎带一相好!行啊行啊,都来吧……
  • 忠靖集

    忠靖集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 哪有什么运气 不过是我们暗自努力

    哪有什么运气 不过是我们暗自努力

    本书精选了畅销书作家陈昂200余首新诗,共分为“那年初见 如花美眷”“文艺腮红 不语不言”“往事如烟 浅笑而安”“余生很长 何必慌忙”等十一个专辑。这些诗歌既有清新唯美的“抒情哲理诗”,也有朦胧精湛的“截句诗”。诗歌主题积极向上,昂扬而又超脱。陈昂的写作笔法清新、精炼,简短的语言呈现多维的立体感。陈昂的创作是“青春期写作(春草派风格)”,他的每一首诗都有大方简单而内涵唯美的外衣,静静品味会发现诗的本质与内涵,领悟到诗歌底蕴里蕴含的“家国情怀”和对“宇宙”对“人生”的思考。这些诗歌里潜伏的“正能量”正是我们洗涤灵魂、陶冶情操、慰藉心灵的“刚需”,特别适合生活中迷茫的年轻人阅读。
  • 宋哲的时空游记

    宋哲的时空游记

    时空穿梭这种事情真的出现的时候,你会做什么?宋哲想了想,还是变强吧。为什么呢?因为变强了才能想要什么就拿什么,变强了才能为所欲为啊!所以啊,诸天世界的主角们,你们的机缘注定要和你们说拜拜了,因为,那都是我的机缘!