This hill used to be my favorite playground but I call it the cursed hill now. I played like any other day - jumping, catching the ball and suddenly, something snapped. I groaned like never before – the pain was…excruciating. I looked up - an anxious face. The journey down the hill and back home was the longest I had taken in my life.

The “red” dot is the cursed spot.

Hi, this is me. Ally asked me to pose for a shot – my second day in my new home and that was 1.5 years ago.

But one week ago, my accident at the cursed hill had landed me here.

I like this place because they have a notice such as this.

But, joy in whatever measure does not last. Pain, a new word and that’s all I know now. I listen intently to what they want to do to me. First, I heard an unfamiliar term, “ruptured cruciate ligament”. Then, they said they want to slit me apart while I go to sleep. No way man, I shall not be fooled- I will stay awake!

I was not myself. I felt sleepy all the time. I heard some sound -they are like whispers from a distance….

“Eh, we should have insured her.”

“Serious, is there medical coverage for dogs?”

I woke up. I hate crates.

“Hey, Gentle. Come out…you’re home, darling.”

Dizzy. My stomach is weak. I just want to rest. And I hate this thing tying around my neck.

No food for me, please.

My whole body is aching and one part is especially itchy. Just leave me alone, everyone!

And I am not taking this. It tasted weird.

The one person I can’t resist is him. He is like me – he does not talk like them. But, I still don’t understand a word that he speaks.

Ahhh…Ally took off that stupid thing that was tied to my neck. I can lick my itchy skin – oh, what a relief it brought…

Oh no, what did I do wrong? Ally is shouting at me. She is angry at me, I’m sure.

The stupid cone thing is back on my neck. I suspect it has to do with my licking because she put a cloth to cover it. Why did she deny my pleasure?

I saw Ally made some phone calls. She sounded frantic. I think it has something to do with me because her eyes were on me.

“Yup, it was my mistake. I should not take off the cone. But she has not been eating and drinking, so, I thought by taking the cone away, she will get back her appetite. Obviously, I’m wrong. I don’t have the van with me now. Can you guys come and pick her up instead? By today? … oh, thank you so much…”

Ally talks to me a bit more than usual today. I got more cuddling too. But, I’m not happy still…the pain never went away. Will I live in pain forever?

“Poor Gentle. I know you are suffering but you are a strong girl, rite? The vet is coming soon, ok.”