In Loving Memory

by Shadow Dragon

Loss and love

Author's Note:

My own dog passed away recently, this story is actually about me (in the place of Applebloom) morning for my own dog, I wrote this to help me cope
Just so you know I won’t be posting anything for a Gift of Time at least until 2023

Applebloom POV

---

This may be the worst day of mi life, it started out normal I stayed home because Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were having sister bonding days with Rarity and Rainbow Dash respectively, Applejack was out of town the map called her for a friendship problem, Granny had to do some shopping and Big Mac had a date with Sugar Bell so that left me alone, well alone except for Winona

I always loved Winona, she’s definitely like part of the Apple family, today Winona was outside napping, she did that a lot nowadays, and her bladder was so weak she kinda had to always be outside or she would go in the house

But then disaster struck, I didn’t even know when it happened, Applejack suddenly burst through the door and I’d never seen Winona look so sick in all Mi life Winona was gasping for air and had a lifeless look in her eyes and small drops of Wight drool were dripping from her mouth, she was having a Caesar, multiple ones in fact

They rushed her over to the town vet who took a look at Winona and sadly told them that their was a small chance Winona could be cured but even if she survived she’d never walk on her own again, be in constant pain and have even less bladder control than before, and we all agreed that the kindness thing we could do was to put her to rest

I’m told that the process was quick and painless after that and soon Winona was gone

Now I’m reflecting on all of Mi favorite past events in Winona’s life

I remember the day we first got her, she was already fully grown at 2 to 3 years old and could almost meet Mi eye level

The first year we had her was a destructive time any chew toy we gave her wouldn’t last till the next day, even one’s advertised as being indestructible

I’ll never forget the first ever time I was truly left alone at home with only Winona to keep me company

I’ll also never forget all the times I was just in a state of depression and Winona was their to make my day better

I’ll never forget the one time I accidentally left Winona out in the rain and got grounded for it but she still loved me afterwards

I remember getting home from school on multiple days and Winona was the only one their to greet me

I remember many family trips we took Winona along with

I remember Dressing up Winona in all kinds of outfits and how much she disliked it

I remember the kisses she always gave me and how bad her breath always was

I remember grieving over the only grate grandparent I ever got to meet, after she passed away and Winona was their to help me through it

I remember all the times I played with Winona using various ropes to tug-a-war or tennis balls for fetch, or Mi personal favorite getting her to do tricks for treats

I remember being concerned Winona was dying earlier when she we thought she had developed cancer but it was later discovered that she was in no pain and whatever it was never bothered her for the final 3 years she had whatever it was

I remember Winona being spoiled rotten when it came to food, whenever we were eating she would expect us to give her some kinda leftovers or gravy for her food, it didn’t matter to her what it was or how much their was, all she wanted was some and we always gave her some especially in her last few years

Winona isn’t the first pet we lost, not by a long shot, I remember losing a total of at least a pet Fish, Cat, Guinea Pig, and 4 dogs now including Winona, the Guinea Pig was personally mi pet to take care of but Winona’s still hurts more because out of all of them Winona was part of Mi life the longest of any of them

Winona was like the little sister I never had growing up, she could always put a smile on mi face even at mi sadness moments, like when I come home from school after being bullied on some days Winona was their to comfort me

I just wish I could’ve been there for her when she closed her eyes for that last time, I was home alone whale mi family were at the vet deciding Winona’s final fate, I only know the details from what little Applejack told me

Now I’m crying for not just a lost pet, not just one of my best friends in the whole world, not even just a part of mi family, I exercised all three before and none hurt as badly as loosing Winona, when we lost Winona, I felt like I lost a peace of myself, I just wanted to stay home and morn her for as long as I could

I would still take care of myself in this time, I know Winona wouldn’t ever want me to harm myself, especially not for her sake but in this time I absolutely refuse to see anyone who isn’t directly family, and that includes the other crusaders, and they completely understand and they agreed to allow me to morn as long as I need

It will take a long time but I will heal from this aching pain deep in mi heart and become a better pony because of it

But that will come later for now I morn the loss

Winona, she was beloved, she was carrying, she was playfully even in her later years she still played as if she was a puppy, she was a bad dog at times but we still all loved her all the same and one day hopefully way into the future I’ll meet Winona again in heaven and we can play forever

But for now I morn, for now I greave, for now I remember, and I un shamefully cry mi heart out

Dogs truly are ponies best friends, and anypony who says otherwise is a filthy liar

Comments

[CobaltTheWolf]

I know exactly how both apple bloom and you feel. I know thats pretty common to hear, but its the truth. I experienced everything you described with my dog. He wasnt just a friend, or a member of the family, or even a sibling. He was a child to me, and my best friend. And i felt the same feelings you are dealing with when i lost him. I know your gonna hear this a lot, and maybe it helps to hear someone has gone through the same stuff, maybe it doesnt. And i know im only a reader to you, But for whatever its worth, i really am sorry for your loss

[Shadow Dragon]

11419508
It really does help to know others know what it’s like to go through this pain, I quite literally had that dog for more than half my life up till that point

[CobaltTheWolf]

11419509
I had my dog ever since i moved states when i was 3-4 years old all the way up until my junior year of high school. There isnt a single time where i think of my dog and not reminded of cancer, the very thing that took his life, and the despisal i have for such an illness. When i put him down with my family, not only was it the hardest thing for all of us, but that was the first time since i was 10 years old where my family wasnt arguing back and forth. I will not lie, it hurts every part of my body knowing there wont be another time where i can see my dog while im alive

[Anonomis]

Agreed. I've had plenty of dogs die over the years and it hurts knowing you'll outlive them

[Shadow Dragon]

Oh one thing I almost forgot to mention
Their was one detail I really wanted to include in this story but I couldn’t find a way to include it in a way that made since
My brother left to join the military and my dog was their to comfort me wale I missed him

[AgentKorpsman]

11419509
My respects for the lost of your dog to you and your family.

Hopefully he or she is having a great time and watching over you as you grow.

[FlameRose-MLP-FiM]

I can relate to this myself; my cat Midnight passed away in September of 2022, so I know the feeling.

[20thCentury Brony]

The first dog I grew up with was put down a couple of years ago by my parents. She was old and sneezing blood, and she was acting out against anyone who tried to touch her. Admittedly, I may not have like her the most, but the pain still hurts. No matter what happened between us-no matter how angry I often got at her-I still love her then, now, and forever. Rest in peace, Roxy.