This is a fictional short story, in 170 words.
Something’s not right.
It feels different, wrong.
How do I tell them though?
Maybe if I eat a lot more, they will notice?
That didn’t work, so I will try drinking too much instead.
No good, they just gave me more to drink.
I know what to do. I will walk around in front of them, try to get more attention.
Didn’t help, they just gave me a toy.
Tomorrow, I am going to go home early. Just walk off in the direction of the house.
That seemed to work. Caused a bit of a fuss. Got more cuddles.
It’s still not right though, and I wish I knew what it was.
Panting hard got me noticed. That woke them up.
But not enough to do something about it.
Perhaps if I breathe really, really fast, they will do something.
Finally! And now I am in the car.
I can only hope they are taking me to get help.
Dedicated to Ollie, who cannot tell us when he feels ill.
beetleypete 
After the line with “trying to drink too much” my thoughts had gone to Ollie. Seems he would need some vacation. With a lot of strangers, distracting him from Beetley. Michael
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None of us can have a vacation just yet, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh, i really forgot. As i heared today, UK travellers to Span have to take a two week extra vacancy at home?
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Best to Ollie, as he cannot tell you how he feels. I hope he is better! Lovely ode, Pete.
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He is a lot more relaxed now, Jennie. I am still watching him closely though.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s good. Best to you, Pete.
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Excellent….chuq
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Thanks, chuq. It was hard taking the Vet’s advice, and watching him get worse.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know…..chuq
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I love that you give Ollie his voice.
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I try to do that sometimes, Maggie, but I don’t like to presume too many human characteristics. I always remember he is a dog, no matter how much we make him part of the family.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, but he IS a rather famous dog.
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Due to their instincts, Dogs will do everything they can to hide their injuries or illness. In their distant past it was a death sentence to appear weak or injured, so they hide it from us as well.
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They do indeed, Jaques. That’s why we knew he was so ill, when he was obviously telling us something was badly wrong.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Life’s choices from the point of view of Ollie? How is he Pete?
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He is definitely improving, Arlene. Much calmer, and resting more too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well written. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks, Theo. It’s hard to take the Vet’s advice when your dog is suffering in front of you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Clever Pete! Glad to hear Ollie is doing better! C
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Thanks, Cheryl. My guilty tribute to my pal.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A nonfiction story I’m thinking. They do what they can to talk to us
but we’re slow and still learning the
language!! Hope Ollie is feeling good today! 😻
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Yes, a blurred line between fact and fiction.
He seems much better, so I am hopeful.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh I think you can understand him 🙂
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I felt I had let him down, but the vet told us to let the tablets take effect.
Cheers mate, Pete.
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They must sometimes think their humans are a bit dim! How’s Ollie doing today? Breathing any easier?
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Yes, he is more like his old self. Just a bit ‘puffy’ during his walk, but fine after.
Best wishes, Pete.
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How’s he doing today?
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A lot better, and much happier. So far, so good.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Good news 😊
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Hey Ollie! Don’t worry. I’ll tell Petey to give you more attention.
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Thank you, Miss Shaily. Tail wags!
Ollie.
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I hope that wasn’t Ollie who was being ignored?
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We weren’t ignoring him. We had been told to let the tablets work. But it made me feel as if I was.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I hope the tablets helped, Pete…
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It seems it was them that he was allergic to. Once we stopped them on Tuesday, he improved overnight and is now so much calmer.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Not good enough, poor Ollie!
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What we need is a universal translator. If it can work for aliens, it can work for dogs, right?
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I always remember the one in ‘Dune’, used by the ‘Guild Steersmen’. A great idea!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I agree with David!
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👏
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