"Can what?" Anabel stuttered and slumped immediately after Marvin broke the news about Lucy.
Anabel's colleagues immediately rushed her to the sickbay, where she regained consciousness after a few minutes.
"I need to go somewhere, right? It's important. Please tell HR." Anabel got out of bed but was held back by the company's nurse.
"It's dangerous to go about in this state, Mrs. Anabel. You should still get some rest." The nurse tried making her stay in bed, but Anabel wouldn't listen.
She rushed out of the sickbay into her car and sped out of the company premises in a hurry. Marvin has tried reaching Anabel several times, but she left her phone at work while rushing.
Anabel arrived home and met Lucy, looking uncheerful. The thought of losing her to cancer crossed her mind, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"I won't lose you, Lucy. It wouldn't happen," Anabel said softly as she patted Lucy.
"The vet said her case is severe and Lucy might not live up to a week. He also said that she is in pain that's why she can't run around as usual," Marvin said while stretching the vet report about Lucy's condition.
Anabel took the sheet and scanned through it within a minute.
"I am so sorry, I didn't know you were going through all of this. I am sorry." Anabel continued patting Lucy after wiping her tears.
Lucy was lying on her favorite spot in the living room, looking very weak, and Anabel couldn't prevent herself from remembering the past.
It's been eight years since Anabel found a puppy sitting in her garage. The little dog was injured, and she quickly rushed her to the vet clinic.
It took more than two weeks for the puppy to fully recover, and after it did, Anabel went around the neighborhood, asking if anyone was the owner of the puppy, but only one claimed it.
Anabel adopted the puppy and named her Lucy in memory of a friend she lost a few weeks before she found the puppy. She took care of Lucy wholeheartedly, and they became best friends immediately. Their bond was so strong that Anabel ended her relationship when her boyfriend started complaining about Anabel dedicating more time to Lucy.
She remained single and only decided to marry when she met Marvin, who was ready to love her and Lucy wholeheartedly.
About a month ago, Lucy started refusing to eat, and it gave Anabel lots of concern. Due to her busy schedule, she booked an appointment to see a vet a few days later, but Lucy was doing okay by then, so Anabel thought it wasn't necessary to visit the vet until about two days ago, when Lucy refused to eat again.
Her schedule at work was tight, so she asked Marvin to help her take Lucy to the veterinary clinic.
"Get yourself together, sweetheart. It's just a dog, and we can always get another one." Marvin tried comforting Anabel, but he got on the wrong side of his lover.
"What do you mean? I can't believe you just said this." Anabel stuttered and left the living room with Lucy immediately.
"Babe, I am sorry. Lucy is in pain, and if you love her, it is best to let her go. I love her just like you do," Marvin replied.
Lucy shot at the door and wept bitterly. The next morning, she made up her mind to do the needful because Lucy's condition had gotten worse over the night.
"Let's go to the vet clinic; they can end her suffering if they can't take the cancer away," Anabel said to Marvin in a shaky voice.
They went first to Anabel's workplace to retrieve her phone, and she took a few days off work.
Upon arriving at the vet clinic, Doctor Raymond welcomed them to his office.
"Doctor, is there anything we can do other than ending Lucy's life?" Anabel asked.
"Nothing, madam. Considering her age and how much the disease has affected her, there is nothing we can do," Dr. Raymond replied.
The discussion went on for a while, and Anabel agreed to end Lucy's suffering. It was a tough decision, but she had to do it.
She wept bitterly while holding on to Lucy before they went into the clinic lab.
"Everything will be alright," Marvin whispered into Anabel's ear, hugging her.
"It's sad to see you go, but it's important. If your spirit comes back to life, please find me. I love you, Lucy," Anabel said her last words before Lucy was injected.
She made a soft whimper and slowly closed her eyes.
Anabel couldn't control her tears, and Marvin had to hold her tight. She wept so hard before she finally went to give Lucy a proper burial.
The days after were tough for Anabel, as she could barely get out of bed. The house felt empty without Lucy, and every effort to make her happy failed.
Marvin insisted they go on dates; he got Anabel lots of gifts, but nothing changed, so he sought advice from a dog lover just like his wife.
On his way back from work some days later, Marvin got a female puppy for Anabel, and he prayed she loved it.
Upon arriving home, Marvin met Anabel, who was trying to prepare dinner, and he was happy she finally stepped out of her room.
"Sweetheart, I got you a present. You will love this," Marvin said to Anabel after kissing her.
"You got me enough, and I feel better now," Anabel replied.
"Nothing is too much for you, dear, and this gift will make you really happy," Marvin replied.
"What are you hiding behind you?" Anabel asked.
"Is the gift?" Marvin replied, bringing out the little puppy he was hiding.
The puppy looked so innocent, and Anabel fell in love with it immediately.
"Thank you, honey. This means a lot to me, but" Anabel was interrupted by Marvin.
"Shhhhhh, just accept it as a token of love. I want to see you happy again," Marvin replied.
"What do we name your new puppy?" Marvin asked.
"Lucy of course," Anabel replied swiftly, and they were shocked to see the puppy answering the name immediately.