Puppy Love
Twilight was seated in front of her computer, but she wasn't looking at the screen. There wasn't anything on it to look at beyond a familiar picture of Sunset and a list of names on her video chat contact menu. Twilight knew one of them was about to light up with a call, but she wouldn't have minded if it took another minute to do so.
Or maybe another five.
Instead, Twilight was looking out the dorm window onto the CrysTech grounds. It was still dusk, about an hour away from being totally dark outside. She knew she'd have her room to herself most of the night; her roommate, Bright Blaze, had told her they'd be out working on a lab report with some classmates well into the evening. She'd planned to be out, too, with some new friends she'd made since coming back from winter break. But all that changed once she got Applejack's text.
She couldn't possibly let Applejack down at a moment like this. But she'd be lying if she said she was excited for the conversation to come.
She heard a noise from the monitor; Applejack was calling. She breathed and relaxed, then calmly swiveled her chair to face the screen. Situating herself for the camera, she moved the mouse and, with a hesitant click, accepted the chat request.
"Hey."
Applejack's connection took a moment to come into focus; even after it did, it was still a bit fuzzy. Still, Twilight could make out her friend's face and the dorm room behind it, which looked surprisingly less messy than usual. Applejack wasn't an especially disorganized person in general, but she did have a habit of leaving items casually strewn across her dorm bed during their weekly group chats, something which Rarity was generally quick to note and chastise her over. After a while, Twilight had started to get the impression it was Applejack's deliberate way of teasing her girlfriend.
There certainly wouldn't be anything so lighthearted tonight.
"Hey, Twi," Applejack's voice crackled in. "Sorry to keep ya waitin', I just... I had to clean myself up a bit. After class got out, I kinda just... needed to lie down for a while. Didn't do much of anythin', just lyin' down."
"Oh, um, that's okay!"
"Normally I always try to keep busy, y'know, especially when somethin' bad happens. Try to focus, keep my mind off the things I don't wanna think about. But... I'm sorry, maybe we shouldn't rush into that."
"Applejack... we can talk about whatever you want to talk about."
"I know, I know... but I can't help but feel a little bad for askin'. I ain't gonna ask you to share nothin' you don't wanna share, if you're worried. It's just, well... I guess it's that I trust you to know what not to say here. None of the others have ever gone through somethin' like this that they can remember—well, except Fluttershy, but you know how that conversation would probably go—and I feel like they'd maybe try a little too hard to make me feel better when maybe I shouldn't feel better yet. Y'know what I mean?"
"I think so..." It was a little hard to understand, especially with her words coming in slightly muffled, but Twilight was putting together the gist of it. "You're saying I'd know from experience when it's better to just... let you feel, instead of coming up with distractions."
"Yeah, that's it."
"Umm... I guess that might be true, but, well... I'm sure you know this, but there's no real right way to experience this."
"I know... but that doesn't mean there aren't wrong ways."
"That's true. And I definitely did it the wrong way."
"What do—no, no, I said I wouldn't pry. I should just... I should just talk about it already."
Twilight could see Applejack breathing out slowly and shifting in her chair as she steeled herself. "Whenever you're ready, I'm listening."
"Okay, well... it happened this morning. Or I guess sometime overnight. Apple Bloom said Winona was right as rain yesterday. All playful and chipper like she usually is. They went for a walk together after she got home from school and that night she curled up in her little doggy bed.
"In the morning, well, Granny Smith woke Apple Bloom up and told her Winona wasn't gettin' up from the bed at all. When they looked closer, they realized she... that she wasn't breathin'. They..." Twilight could see the words catch in Applejack's throat. "They took her over to the animal hospital, but..."
Applejack's voice crumbled into a shaken whisper. "But she was already dead."
Twilight shuddered. "Sometime during the night?"
Applejack nodded. "They think... she must have had some kind of medical condition we didn't know about. Somethin' quiet. They'll know more in a few days. She was due for checkup sometime next month, but we don't know if they'd have caught it even then or if there was anythin' we could've done. But she never showed any kind of bad health at all."
"Applejack, I... I'm so sorry. I only ever got to meet her a few times, but... she seemed like such a wonderful dog."
"She was. She really was." And Applejack broke down and cried.
Twilight didn't know how to react. She cursed the distance between them. If only she could have reached out and given a hug... maybe she should tell her that? Would it help?
"I-I really wish I could just... give you a hug right now."
"Th-thanks, Twilight, I just..." She choked, and another batch of tears coursed down her face as the wave of emotion crested. "I just never imagined, last month, that when I left to go back to school it'd be the last time I ever even saw her... that I wouldn't get to come home and play with her ever again... I told her goodbye, but I didn't for a second mean goodbye goodbye..."
"I'm so sorry."
"It just doesn't feel real..." She looked over at her phone. "All I know is what they told me. I didn't get to see her... I learned about it on a text message. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith called me a little later, but still, learnin' what happened like that... on a phone where Winona is my wallpaper..." She sniffled. ”It just feels so wrong. Like it can't be real."
Twilight sighed. "I know the feeling."
Applejack wiped away a tear and looked Twilight head-on through the screen. "Do you? I mean, you were probably there when... when it happened to you, right? Not when you were far away and couldn't... couldn't even see her..."
Twilight winced, then replied calmly and methodically. "Not exactly."
Applejack looked startled; Twilight could see that she wanted to take back what she said immediately. "Oh... oh gosh Twilight... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"
"It's okay, Applejack. I wouldn't have taken you up on this if I didn't think I was able to handle talking through my own experience."
"Would you—" Applejack sniffled. "Could you?"
Twilight smiled weakly. "Of course." She took a deep breath. "My first dog... I'm not sure where to start."
"Maybe just talk about what they were like?"
"Sure," Twilight replied. "Um... my first dog was actually nothing like Spike. We, uh... we got him from a shelter when I was about five years old. He was a big dog, red with this orange, um, streak down the back, and he'd been living on the street for at least a year before he was picked up by animal control. He had a very odd bark that sounded a little like... like a person grumbling or babbling. So he'd gotten the nickname Garble. And little me thought it was a funny name, so we kept it for him.
"He wasn't a very friendly dog, to most people. He'd gotten very distrustful of humans when he was living on his own, so he did have to stay outside a lot if we had people over, because he could be very aggressive and defensive. But, though it took some effort, he did grow to love us. Shining Armor was the one who'd really wanted a dog, so he and Dad worked hard to train him, get rid of some of his bad habits. And... at least for the four of us, it worked. By our first year with him... he really was part of our family."
Twilight smiled as the memories flooded her brain. "He was... a bit of a free spirit. He loved music, especially drums, so we would try to bang our hands on the table in a way that would make him excited. And he liked listening, I discovered. If something scared him, like fireworks, I could help keep him calm by reading to him. It didn't even have to make sense; a lot of the time I just read mathematical formulas from my classwork. He just liked hearing our voices."
"He sounds like he was lovely."
Twilight nodded, but her face went grim. "He started to get old, though. And the older he got, the less... there he was. Especially once Shining Armor went to college, and when I started living at Crystal Prep. I would come over to see him all the time, but each time it felt like I was seeing less and less of him. He never thought I was a stranger, but he was very confused, especially when his hearing started to go. And eventually..."
She felt something in her mind block the next few words from exiting her lips.
"Take whatever time you need," Applejack's voice crackled through the speakers.
"Thanks, um... one day I came over, and Mom let me in. We thought the door had closed, but there was something wrong with the handle we hadn't noticed and, after we walked away, it slid back open, just enough. And Garble got out. We didn't realize until a few minutes later, when I wondered why we hadn't seen him. It... it was no one's fault. But he ran off and... it was another day before we found him."
Twilight swallowed as a tear rolled down her cheek. "He was already gone. He'd wandered into the street, and..."
She may have been five years removed from that day, but now Twilight was crying like it was that very morning.
"Oh... oh Twilight... I'm so sorry..."
"So I know," Twilight choked out between some heavy sobs, "what it's like to not be there... to wish you could have done something, or at least given comfort in those last moments..." She rubbed her face and tried to straighten herself out, looking Applejack directly again. "I really... I hope it really was peaceful, for Winona. It wasn't for Garble. And it haunts me."
She looked down. "And... maybe you should be glad you didn't have to see the body."
Twilight snapped to attention when she heard Applejack's sharp reply. "Twi, I know that must hurt, but you don't know what you're sayin' when you tell me that. I can only imagine what it's like to see... to see something like that, but at least you got that reality of seein' it. I don't. I just... I have to just believe that Winona's gone. I can't bring myself to ask for a picture of her body, but I still wish I coulda had that closure."
"No! No you don't, Applejack! Seeing your dog like that... it doesn't go away! I can see him as clearly now as I did then, and... and it makes it harder to really remember the good things about him. Because no matter how hard I try, seeing him like that... it infects everything else. When you think of your dog, you shouldn't have to think of a dead body."
Twilight broke down again, and Applejack didn't respond. When Twilight eventually looked up, she was calmly watching and holding back her comments.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten ma—"
"It's alright. I... I shouldn't have let my feelins get the better of me like that. You got yours, too, and you have them for a reason. Maybe I'm too honest for my own good, sometimes. And you're right that I shouldn't want to see somethin' like that. But... I'm still havin' trouble with all that uncertainty, if you know what I'm sayin'."
After a moment, Twilight smiled weakly. "Of course I know what you mean. I'm a scientist, after all."
Applejack chuckled. "And a heck of one, too."
"And I know uncertainty isn’t enjoyable, in science or everyday life. Sometimes that finality helps. I just don't think it's really worth it, here. Not in that way. There's other ways to get closure, and... I think you'll find them."
"I hope so," Applejack replied with a nod. "What happened, afterwards?"
"Well, it definitely took some time to... move on probably isn't the right phrase, but at least move on enough to think about getting another dog. We went back to the shelter a few months later, during the summer between my two years at Crystal Prep, and we found Spike. I liked the idea of getting a very different kind of dog, so I wouldn't think of him so much as a replacement. And I thought, since Shining Armor had gone away and my parents were spending more and more time out of the house, maybe Spike could be more... my dog, and not just the family dog.
"So I spent the rest of that summer bonding with Spike, taking him out on walks and figuring out what made him tick. I actually met Pinkie Pie on one of our walks, months and months before the Friendship Games. But I still really missed Garble, and I got so protective of Spike after what happened that I started insisting on taking him to school with me as much as I could, so I could keep an eye on him, even though Principal Cinch was allergic. And, well, you know the rest."
"It's a shame he can't be with you over there," Applejack mused.
"If they'd let me keep him here, I would. But the dorms are way too strict about pets. I've already asked my parents if I can bring him when I go off-campus next semester, though." Twilight sighed again. "It's so sad, knowing that we'll outlive them. It's not fair. Garble, Winona, Spike... they deserve so much more than the time we can give them."
"Especially when Winona had so many years left... it's just so awful. I'm gonna miss her so much."
"Yeah."
After a moment of silence, Applejack's voice crackled in again. "Alright, well, I think maybe I should letcha be after all that, unless you don't want me to. But you did help. Knowin' maybe there's a silver linin' to not bein' there when it happened, knowin' it gets better and... just knowin' you understand. Thanks so much, Twilight."
"Wait!"
"Huh?"
"Just... just one more thing." Twilight stopped to collect her thoughts. "I'm... I'm not the most spiritual person in the world, really. But I do think, with everything that's happened to us, and all the things I could never have imagined just a few years ago... I have started to wonder, more, about if there really is a life beyond this. I never used to think there was, but, well, they say magic is just science people don't understand yet. And clearly there's a lot about this world, or any of the others out there like Equestria, that I don't understand. So what I'm trying to say is... well..."
"You think there's a place that we'll see our pets again?"
"I'm not gonna say I literally believe in the rainbow bridge, because I don't, but... maybe some way, somehow."
Applejack beamed. "I can't say I'd ever have expected that of you, Twi."
"Sometimes it feels like wishful thinking, I'll admit. After all, it's not like our powers are really divine in any way. But still... I like to think of the universe as having some form of order, even if it's not something we really understand. I don't think science would exist without there being some kind of order. Science to me is... the process of discovering what that order is. And maybe the end of life isn't the end of discovery."
"A little vague, but I gotcha."
"Like I said, I don't know, and I don't like speculating that broadly. But it helps me. And it makes it easier to remember Garble the way I want to remember him, who he was, what he was like, instead of just how he died. But the uncertainty also makes me appreciate the time I have with Spike all the more. How special he is, how wonderful he is. And while I'm not gonna suggest doing anything before you're ready... I hope you can find that bond again too."
There were visible tears on Applejack's face, but she was still smiling. "Me too. Thanks again."
"I'm glad I could be of help."
"Goodbye, Twilight."
Twilight smiled back. "Bye, Applejack." She closed the chat and leaned back in her chair.
After a moment, she picked up her phone and texted Sunset. Can you send me a picture of Ray?
Then she pulled up her contacts page and dialed Spike.
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Man its so saddening when one loses a pet.
Losing anyone in the family hurts.
I like to point out a cruel irony the show writers had done by making Spike a dog instead of human.
While dragon Spike will most likely outlive most of his friends, dog Spike will literally be out lived by everyone else.
That is just messed up
Poor Applejack. I hate this fic but I love this fic.
;-;
11237351
OH. OKAY. I literally never thought of that and it really hurts now.
This story REALLY hits the feels
. I JUST lost a pet not more than a few weeks ago. One of my cats, whom I'd had for 17 years. He was happy and healthy only a few weeks before, just like Winona (though he HAD injured his leg a while back and walked with a limp and had something of a bad cataract), but then started slowing down, not eating or drinking or doing anything. He was then confirmed to have passed as I was driving to work that same day, no doubt waiting for us all to be busy with other things before leaving quietly.
We later had him cremated and got prints from his paws. We're just pleased and happy he died in his sleep. We were worried that he'd have to be put down. Plus, we all had time with him where we all told him we loved him and apologized for anything we may have done or said. In my mind though, it's better to have human family members die than animal ones. At least with humans, you can usually get some kind of semblance of knowledge that they hear or understand (talking, looks in their eyes, etc.) With pets, no luck.
REALLY emotional (and appropriately so) one-shot. Yeah, I definitely know how hard it is to lose a pet. I've gone through that more times than I care to count. Definitely appreciated Applejack and Twilight comparing notes on the subject. And, yeah, I could see Twi reflecting on the multiverse (because she knows for a fact that magic exists AND that there is AT LEAST ONE other universe). I can also understand Twilight asking Sunset to send a picture of Ray and then calling Spike. And, speaking of Spike, yeah, this story's spin on Twilight's first meeting with Spike makes sense.
Okay story, and the Garble bit was interesting, although it makes me wonder what happened to poor Smolder.
Still no interest in the shipping though.
As someone who grew up with parents who argued constantly, I fail to see why Rarjack is of interest to anyone, when that's literally ninety percent of what they do together.
Never mind that Rarity is only ever shown dreaming about dudes.
11237351
Something Twilight could easily avoid by sending him across the mirror.
Contrived drama is still contrived.
My dog sadly passed two days ago. I miss her dearly… let’s give this story a read.
Post reading edit;
Oh Garble… that’s exactly what happened to my dog, Chloe. She slipped out the door when no one was looking, and she was found on the side of the road.
To make matters worse, I’m deployed right now. I sincerely wish I could have gotten more time with her before I left.
Sorry, I’ll stop typing now.
11237548
I wish you the best.
My God, I'm so sorry... that's awful. I apologize, this story must have been a terribly rough read under the circumstances.
The down votes are either the trolls that just down vote EVERYTHING, hate animals or at least dogs or never have had pets
interesting timing that this should come to my notice now.
We literally had to put our family dog, Jack, down this morning, He'd been part of the family for almost 18 years, so had lived to a ripe old age. Would've turned 18 next month.
I'll miss you, Jack.
Rest In Peace, little buddy
11237965
I’m so, so sorry to hear that. That’s the same age my family’s dog had to be put down at about five years ago.
11237383
The show writers really did not think this through when they thought it was funny to make him a dog instead of human.
11237474
Or have him become human.
11238959
I'm not a fan of the whole "Spike is a dog" thing either.
I think it was a lazy way to have him be present, while minimizing his effect on the plot, so the writers wouldn't have to deal with managing him.
That doesn't change the fact that if Twilight wanted to (theoretically) extend his natural life span, she could just send him over to Equestria.
Problem solved.
11238959
Really, they didn't. To be fair, Spike's companionship and how Twilight took care of him in Equestria is very similar to how a human would take care of their pet dog or cat. Still, though, it doesn't change the fact that the show writers did not think things through.
11238968
I read a fic once where that exact thing happened. It was called Dog Years
11239161
It was actually pretty good.
Thanks for the recommendation!
I just blew through it just now.
11239265
You're very welcome! :D
11240001
Can you please move this conversation to a private message?
Why was my comments removed?
Did I say something wrong?
11244264
The overall conversation had become completely disconnected from commenting on the story and was essentially a forum discussion. And it seemingly had no end in sight, which is why I asked for it to be moved to private messaging. I'm sorry if I offended you by removing them but I don't want the comments section to be so far off topic that someone looking to see what people are saying about the actual story would have to scroll through a dozen or more unrelated messages. It was not intended as any kind of personal criticism toward you or the others involved, and I only removed comments that could not possibly be seen as being related to the story.
I hope that's understandable. If you have additional concerns, please message me rather than leaving more comments.
11244273
Its still not cool in removing them though.
And it kind of was connected since its regards to how Spike is affected since he's a dog.
Given on the mortalities that dogs have.
Which adds onto how the show writers screwed Spike over by making him a dog. They really didn't think this through
I know I should be sending a PM instead of just replying on here but it just felt too awkward to PM at the moment.
Just.. sorry..
Howdy, hi~!
L'oeuf, this one hit hard. I definitely relate to both sides of the conversation between them. I really like how you incorporated Garble into this with him being the dog before Spike. This was really well done in hitting the emotional moments and going through the process of grief between AJ and Twilight in this case. Really well done.
Thanks for the story~!
Losing a pet is always hard, and my cousins had to recently go through one just 2 weeks ago with the passing of their dog Sydney. And I felt the same way they did when she passed as I had a connection with her, and was one of many reasons I wanted to get a dog myself. And like the saying goes, dogs are mans best friend.
Your missing a " at the end.
Classic twilight for ya.
Oh my god! 😰
I can relate in a similar situation like this, but it's not around dogs.
Another " is missing.
That's pets for ya, there's not always there in your life, but it's best to enjoy the moments when they last.
Same.
Wait, Spike has a phone!?!?
11350754
If the same person keeps talking over multiple paragraphs, the general rule is to not put an end quote until they’re finished, though you do need to put a starting quote on each paragraph. https://style.mla.org/speech-paragraphs-quotation-marks/
And Twilight’s calling Spike on whatever device he was using in the EqG shorts.
11350765
Oh...
man I needly cried at the end, cause I had my previous dog died to diabetes and internal bleeding, I miss sparkles, but I got a border collie named "princess buttercup" she's a bit of a biter at times, although I think she just wants to pull me closer to her