Crunch

i keep having recurring dreams
in them i relive my childhood
my dog is still alive
she is healthy and powerful again
as if her arthritis has disappeared
i’m eight years old and fragile
she protects me when my father yells
her pain is consigned to oblivion
we sprint around our backyard
glide across the kitchen floor
boundless

the reality is
the vet told us they had never before heard a dog with such crunchy legs
i spent entire paychecks on glucosamine
and forced her into the back seat to drive to follow up appointment
after follow up appointment
after follow up appointment

she gave all she had in those dog days of august
and I know that it would have been selfish to ask her to stay
now all I hear is the crisp leaves beneath my feet as I stomp to class
and my father’s shouts

—By Brenna K., 19, Ohio