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The sun sets, slowly, and the seagulls call. Walking along the beach with Nellie, they’re barely taking a few steps a minute. Nellie stops, and lies down. “You okay?”
Nellie whines, but it’s quiet. Much more quiet than her normal whine, Nick notes.
“Do you want to go home?” Nick asks, stroking her fur. He takes a seat on the sand next to her, looking out across the water. “You’re just tired, right?”
Nellie sighs. Nick strokes her fur. He knows what’s happening. He’s been psyching himself up for this moment. “Are you done with us?” Nick asks softly.
Nellie lifts her head slowly, and rests it on Nick’s thigh.
Taking a deep breath, Nick starts to talk gently to her.
“You were always my best friend. Before Christian. Heck, before Charlie. When David was a dick to me, you’d stick up for me, wouldn’t you? You were the first person I ever told about Charlie, eh old girl? You’ve been so good.” Nick squeezes his eyes shut, taking a deep breath. He strokes her fur, feeling her laboured breathing.
“What would I have done without you? All those nights when we watched tv together? When I fed you those chips and you threw up on the carpet? Glad you didn’t tell on me.” Nick sniffs, “I love you Nellie. I’ll never love another dog like you, did you know that?”
“When mum brought you home, after dad left, I was kind of scared of dogs, wasn’t I? But I wasn’t scared of you. When you sat on my bed during those big storms, I swear you didn’t even sleep, did you? You’re such a good girl.” Nick chokes, “I love you. Thanks for staying with mum when I left. You’re everything to her too, you know? The only daughter she ever had.” Nellie seems to sigh, her head now resting on Nick’s thigh.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without you,” Nick swallows hard, “but I suppose this is the end, isn’t it? You’ve had a good run, haven’t you girl?” Hot tears stream down Nick’s face. “I swore I wouldn’t tell anyone, but you can keep a secret.” Nick swallows the lump in his throat, leaning down to hug Nellie like when he was a little boy. “I’m going to ask Charlie to marry me. Well, I’ve asked before,” Nick laughs, the tears now falling uninhibited, “but never seriously. I’m going to ask him. I’m telling you first. Christian doesn’t know yet, mum doesn’t know either… I suppose Charlie can guess, can’t he?” Nellie whines softly.
“Am I making a good decision? Nellie, I love him, so fucking much. You already knew that though, eh.” Nellie whimpers, her sounds growing quieter as her breathing slows. “I just wanted you to be the one I told first.”
Nellie makes a little noise, snuggling closer to Nick. Her eyes are closed and her chest is moving slowly, “Goodbye, my friend,” Nick says, “I love you. Grandpa will be waiting for you, I’ve had a word with him. I’ve asked him to only give you the nice wet food, and steak, and whatever else they’ve got… you know. You won’t be alone.” Nick feels his tears collecting and soaking into Nellie’s fur.
“You’ve been the best dog I could have ever wanted. I’ve got a puppy with Charlie now, but you will always be my favourite dog, okay? You can let go.” Nick holds Nellie tight, “I love you, goodbye, Nellie.”