The Day

A rather hopeful narrative

Everyone has a defining moment in his or her life. Some of these moments are for better, some for worse. In my case the outcome is still to be determined. You see, I’m struggling. Every morning I wake up thinking to myself that today will be “The Day” The day that I finally overcome my addiction. I’m going to share my story with you. Not how it all started; I can barely remember those details. No, I’m going to tell you about the day I hit what people generally refer to as “rock bottom.”As with most things, it all started on a very normal day.


      I awoke with a start. Somewhere in my vicinity a rather large object was making a lot of noise. Feeling the urge to investigate further, I went and peeked out the window closest to where I had been sleeping. From out the window I saw two men playing with a rectangular object that I can only describe as smelling Delicious, emphasis on the capital “D.” Yipping and sighing, I tried to get their attention. I desperately wanted them to share their find! They paid me no heed, however, and it wasn’t before long that they moved on past my window, taking the plaything with them.

    Feeling defeated, I ran around the house looking for something to do. Eventually I came across what has come to feel like my biggest downfall. I refer to it as that
because every time I try playing with it, a severe scolding and spanking comes
my way. Yet I can’t seem to help myself. Hopelessly addicted, I bare my teeth, leap from my position on the floor, and begin gnawing on the arm of the couch.

    Today my conquest is being blocked haphazardly with a towel. In seconds I have the
towel on the floor, its objective failed. I eye my prize, wanting to savor the moment a bit. The couch arm is already fairly tattered by my handiwork from previous days. The cloth covering the underlying layer of fluff and wood is barely clinging to the main structure. Ah, the wood part ... that is most decidedly my goal for the day.

    I rip apart more of the fluff layer with my teeth. My saliva coats the couch arm,
leaving a guilty trail. After spitting out more fluff my teeth finally connect with the ultimate prize- the wood. Oh happy day!, I think to myself. At this point I no longer remember that these actions might have repercussions. I’m too involved in the moment. It is only when I hear the sound of feet padding gently on the tile floor that I am snapped out of my bliss.

    Mom.

    I recognize her footsteps anywhere. Hastily, I scramble to the opposite end of
the couch and pretend to sleep. I’m hoping she doesn’t notice the towel out of
place, doesn’t see the saliva.

    “RIVER!”mom shouts, interrupting all my silent hopes of her overlooking my
transgression. Yep, I’m in trouble. Again.

    Shes comes over to where I am lying, yanking me up by the harness. Half carrying,
half dragging, she leads me to the couch arm. She then shoves my face into the
area with the most damage and proceeds to slap me three times on my behind. The
pain physically is dulled only by the pain of my guilt. The guilt this time is weighing on me heavier than before because this time mom is crying.

    I can’t understand all of what she is saying, but I can grasp this one thing, my
addiction is breaking her heart. My obsession is causing the one person who loves me unconditionally to experience a profound pain. Suddenly I feel like the world’s worst daughter. Maybe even the world’s worst dog.

    What had started off as an amazing day has quickly turned into one of realization
and pain. I must stop this behavior. If not, I will keep hurting my most beloved human in the whole world.

    After spanking me, mom puts me in the kennel. It is in that small space that I do
most of my thinking. I think about how much I love her, how much I want to change and, more than anything else, I think about the couch arm. Recalling how good the wood felt between my teeth, I start to salivate.

    As I fall asleep I have no doubt I will dream about my addiction. My last conscious thought before drifting off is a question to myself...
  
 Will I overcome this?

     It’s been weeks now since that day. So far I have slipped up twice. No matter what I do, I just can’t seem to shake the overwhelming desire to indulge myself in my addiction. I am trying though. For the sake of mom. I love her so much, and I hope she can realize that. It is only because of that love that I will continue to fight this war against myself. One day, the day, I will be victorious!

Reviews

[Q.Kennedy]

Lol I totally didn't think it was about a dog at first.
Poor puppy.
: )