Spoiler Alert: The following is the sequel to this furry little tale.
I thought she was a goner. Dead dog walking. The old man told me she had canine TB and less than six months to live. Our sadness embraced.
After I fell hard for his pooch, the old man invites me home to meet Junya, his wife. He tells me they have been married since 1949. For 40, no, 50, yes, 63 years. He says she’s the brains of the family, and the beauty.
He had a massive stroke, Junya frets. He repeats himself, he can hardly move, but he keeps moving.
He asks if I want to see how beautiful she looked at their wedding, how beautiful, how beautiful, and I restrain myself from jumping up to help as he struggles to get out of his seat.
Like the old man, the story of his wife’s youth is a dazzler of survival. Poland, circa WWII. Dead family, lost friends, war, starvation…the works. The little dog and I listen raptly scarfing biscuits as their epic stories intertwine like the branches on their tree-hugged balcony, winking in the afternoon sun.
It strikes me: love is life’s response to death, the only thing that outlasts it.
Turns out, the old man’s memory skipped a beat. It was his late brother who contracted TB as a young soldier, not our fluffy puppy. And he wasn’t the only one who had it wrong. The vet had diagnosed fatal leukemia and advised the old man and his wife to put her down but they flatly refused, and then one day, just like that, our hungry, little heroine wakes up, scarfs down macaroni and gets her groove back. A battery of tests, a horrible mistake, and she’s not sick after all!
We thought she was finished.The old man beams. His wife smiles. The dog laughs.
See/click on Puppy Love, Part 3: Never Say Die-
*
FAN THE FLAMES: My dear readers, would you help produce this series of love stories about an old man and a puppy – as a book?? If so, please…
*
Like this post? Follow my blog and knock yourself out. Click ‘Follow’ at the top-left of the page or click ‘Subscribe by email’ on the right column. ‘Share’ and help spread the good word!
26 Responses to Puppy Love 2: The Resurrection
GORGEOUS. YOU are getting your groove on too.
😉
lm
LikeLike
Such a beautiful story, gorgeous photos – you have outdone yourself! Love indeed.
LikeLike
Brenda,
Puppy Love is …..Sublime!! Filled with hope and heart. Thank goddess they didn’t put her down. ( Little detail: ‘resurrection’ is spelled with two r’s,)
jean e.
LikeLike
Hi Brenda, this was very beautiful thanks for sharing, and thanks to the couple for opening their door. best, shokoufeh
LikeLike
I love this sentence: “I think; love is life’s response to death, the only thing that outlasts it.” It brought tears to my eyes, and it’s so true.
LikeLike
Lovely
LikeLike
A beautifully told story filled with love! The pictures are lovely.
LikeLike
I love this story!!
LikeLike
Beautiful story Brenda,
Our amazing neighbors have a similar story. They survived Auschwitz and met in the DP camps in Sweden. They came to Seattle in the 50s and have been married over 60 years. Their commitment to each other is inspiring. Yesterday afternoon my family walked up the steps to their backyard which is a mini orchard.One fig tree, 2 pear trees 4 plum trees and 2 apple trees. Every year they share their bounty with the entire community. He derives so much joy from sharing bags full of fruit. I walked down the steps carrying a bag full of figs and the desire to pass on the goodness that my neighbor has brought into this world.
LikeLike
Wonderful story, Elisheva, beautifully told. The goodness is passed on and on and on.
LikeLike
Thanks all, your comments are much appreciated. I’m trying to build my readership, so if you feel so inspired, do share this post and any others you like!
LikeLike
[…] See Part 2… Share this:EmailDiggLinkedInRedditTwitterTumblrPinterestStumbleUponFacebookPrintLike this:LikeOne blogger likes this. Comments (16) […]
LikeLike
After seeing him on a bench with his dog this Summer and looking sad and now the three of them smiling together, my heart skipped a beat and I’m smiling also.
LikeLike
Brenda, there is only one blog that I want to follow, and it’s yours !
xx
LikeLike
love it!!! love. love rules! that couple is so inspiring. and their little miracle dog! love it. well done.
LikeLike
Life never stops surprising us. Sometimes these surprises take on an obscur and sureal personna. The event take flight and almost gets away from us and take us to a place that we would never dream of going to.
I find it amazing that the old man’s angish and sadness for his little dog got mixed up with the grief and the mourning for his brother, so many years ago. It just goes to show that events are not as important as the emotions and the connections that are stirred by these events, and that love is stronger than time and matter. The old man has suffered irreversable damage to his brain, but the essence of who he is still remains intact, and has not been diminished by the brutality and harshness of his life experiences.
LikeLike
I, too find it amazing that the one who turned out to have tuberculosis was his long-deceased brother. He died as a young man in the Polish army. In my conversations with the old man, his brother comes up every time. I may have to continue the story.
LikeLike
[…] Puppy Love 2: The Resurrection. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. Leave a Comment […]
LikeLike
[…] The following is the second sequel to an undying tale. See it stand alone, or click on: Part 1 and Part 2. Now, for Part […]
LikeLike
[…] Parts 1, 2 and 3 of these furry tales, click here for Puppy Love, The Resurrection, and Never Say […]
LikeLike
[…] 1: Puppy Love, Part 2: The Resurrection, Part 3: Never Say Die, Part 4: C’est La […]
LikeLike
“I think; love is life’s response to death, the only thing that outlasts it.” – Oh, you’ve made me cry. In the best possible way.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jennie! Making people cry in the best possible way makes me smile.
LikeLike
As a dog adorer, and story lover, this is the first post I checked out on your blog. Love the title, “Burns The Fire”, caught my eye immediately. Can’t wait to read more!
LikeLike
Thank you, welcome and enjoy!
LikeLike
[…] The Resurection […]
LikeLike