Dobby's Despair

Dobby are you ready?

Dobby: Ready. You have to put down what I tell you to no matter what. Are you sure you can do that Mom?

Yes. I can.

Dobby: Because Dad always said you could never repeat what someone tells you word for word.

Your Dad said lots of things. Let's not go there. Besides word for word is only important if you are a translator for a diplomat or someone who has publicists.

Dobby: That's definitely not you Mom.

That's what I told him. Did he listen? No...

Dobby: This is supposed to be about me. My day today and my adventure not whether you were a good wife or not.

I know. The past is in the past. Go ahead sweetie.

Dobby: Today started out early. Which was strange because it is a Saturday. Mom went to sleep late and got up early and she was...perky. Very perky. She didn't exercise, make coffee or shower. Just got dressed. She petted me a lot and was perky. Without the coffee. Perky. I should have known something was amiss.

Amiss? Well isn't that a fancy word?

Dobby: Mom, do you really have to criticize my vocabulary? Amiss-something is not in it's correct order.

Most men would agree with that. What about amister?

Dobby: Not a word, Mom.

Really? Crap.

Dobby: I found Mom in the kitchen. Humming a tune. I stood in the doorway and rubbed against the frame showing my love and devotion to our happy home. She came over, bent down, petted me a little. Scooped me up and it was over. Before I knew it I was locked up in the carrier. I was at her mercy and I knew it. I howled in despair. I cried. I pushed against the cold, metal door with my nose to no avail.

Mom made what she thought was reassuring noises and left the room returning with cat treats which she rudely tossed at me through the door.

Dobby: There was no way milk flavored treats could repair such betrayal. I cried for “Help” with everything I had. Mom kept saying things in a happy way like. “You get to go for a ride today.” “It's going to be so much fun.” “You are such a good boy.” “You won't have to do this again for a year at least.” Cheerful and smiling the whole time. The Bitch. She took me outside and put me in the car. Leaving me inside—alone. She was gone for Five Whole Minutes.

Excuse me. I'll have you know I spent that five minutes spraying the house for bugs. Too many spiders have been coming in. I wanted the spray to be dried by the time we came back in the house. That inhumane five minutes means we have a nicer home. Ungrateful...

Dobby: Mom. You promised...

(Mom is muttering and banging on the keyboard)

Dobby: Mom!

Okay. It's okay. I'm done carrying on. It's fine. Really.

Dobby: She got in the car and took me somewhere far, far away.

More like three miles. (rolling eyes)

Dobby: My heart was racing, my stomach rolled it was difficult not to poop. She got tired of me. She was dumping me. I knew it. This morning was my last meal. I tried to breathe more slowly, relax. I had been on my own before. I could do it again. I laid down on my stomach and tucked my paws under me. Closing my eyes, I meditated knowing I would open them awake and ready to face my changed living arrangements when the moment came. Besides, I am a master at sucking up. I will be set up in another house in no time.

The car went over something really loud startling me. I yowled. So embarrassing. I thought I had myself together. One loud noise and I lost my cool. The car stopped. I braced myself for my new life.

Mom continued sounding cheerful and telling me how wonderful I was. Am I really that hard to live with? She took me into a strange place. It smelled of animals all kinds. Not the barn smell Mom sometimes brings home from the farm either. This one was different. A dog looked at me, another dog looked at me. Mom set the carrier down and I was alone.