All Dogs Go To Heaven

Lucy returned home from a long shift and kicked off her boots with a groan. She was exhausted and just wanted to sleep, but then she heard "MOMMY!" She bent down and opened her arms for her son to launch himself into her.

"Hey, bud," she greeted him and kissed his head. "Did you have a good day at school?"

"Yeah! I drew a turtle and Bailey already put it on the fridge!"

"I can't wait to see it," she smiled and ruffled his hair. Then, she watched Bailey appear from the kitchen. "Sorry work ran late. Thanks for picking up Ryan."

"We're all family! It's not a problem at all," Bailey guaranteed. "I'll see you guys later!" With a hug from Ryan and a wave from Lucy, she left the house.

"Okay, I think it's time we walk Kojo," Lucy suggested.

"Yay!" Ryan cheered with a big smile that showcased his missing teeth. He's growing up so fast, Lucy thought. It felt like a minute ago he was born, and now he's 6 years old.

She stepped over to the dog bed to find Kojo laying down with his eyes half shut. Gently, she pet him and kissed his head to wake him up further. Kojo slowly rose up and trotted sluggishly with her towards the front door where he did not react to his leash being fastened for his walk the way he used to. He used to vibrate with excitement for his nightly walks and wag his tail for at least the first block.

But, the years had worn on her dog. His vision had been lacking, his reflexes started to slow, and Kojo's overall energy level had decreased quite drastically. When Ryan was first born, he would run towards the baby and sit beside him every night. And as her son grew up, Kojo slowed down. The once energetic dog was less likely to play fetch and more likely to just lay in the grass. Ryan never seemed to mind- only cuddling with the dog during screen time and giving him good night kisses. His compassion was something Lucy admired and enforced that she was at least somewhat raising her child correctly.

About 2 blocks into their walk, Kojo just sat down and his eyes started to slip shut.

"Kojo's tired, mommy," Ryan pointed.

"I know, sweetie," Lucy replied gently and looked at the old pit bull mix whose eyes could not stay open. She scooped him up in her arms, dropped a kiss to the top of his head and walked back home. By the time they returned inside the house, Kojo was already asleep, so Lucy carefully set him down in his bed and pet him lovingly. "How about you color for a bit, and I'll get started on dinner."

Ryan nodded and went to his room to color as his mom suggested while she gathered ingredients for their meal. As she prepared dinner, Lucy looked over at the sleeping dog every so often, and her heart broke. He was sleeping so much more often lately.

And she knew.

She had known the time would come.

With a knot in her stomach, Lucy was aware the time was coming sooner than she would like.

Though she was concerned how her young son would take the news about losing Kojo, her first thought was not about Ryan. It was about someone else. But, she could talk to him later.

After dinner and tucking Ryan into bed, Lucy did not go to sleep, despite her exhaustion. Instead, she walked into the living room, picked up Kojo, and brought him into bed with her. One hand did not stop slowly petting him while the other unlocked her phone.

It was time. Which meant she had to call him.

Lucy blew out a breath and navigated to dial a number she knew by heart. A contact that used to be saved in her favorites with a ring emoji next to his name. A man she had not spoken to in 8 years.