Based on 105 community votes, the most popular answer to “He Left the Dog to Me, Not in Writing” is “Open the letter and tell everyone” — chosen by 67% of voters.
Category: heartwarming • Theme: ✨ Unexpected Kindness
I think the last ordinary morning was a Tuesday, because Dad’s lunch was already in the fridge and he only packed it early on meeting days. He stood by the sink, holding his white coffee mug with the chipped lip, the steam fogging his glasses a little. Our dog, Scout, thumped his tail against the cabinet, staring at the toast in Dad’s hand. Dad scratched his head with the same hand that held the mug and said, “You’ve got him if anything ever happens to me, okay?” I rolled my eyes, because he always said things like that. I don’t remember what I answered. Eleven months and three weeks after the funeral, Scout slipped quietly onto Dad’s side of the bed where the dog slept every night that year and did not get up again. The night before we buried Scout, the house was full. Neighbors, Dad’s old coworkers, my college roommate who hates flying. People I hadn’t seen in years. Someone had brought a Costco cake that said “We Love You, Scout” in blue frosting. In the kitchen, my aunt pressed something into my hand: a folded sheet of paper. “He gave this to me for you. Said not to hand it over unless the dog went first.” It’s on the shelf next to Dad’s coffee mug with the chipped lip. I haven’t opened it yet. I can’t tell whose grief it belongs to. What would YOU do?
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