Hey guys and gals. Well, here it is: the final chapter. I hope you all have enjoyed this, and I hope that you will Read and Review it, thanks for your support. I don't own catdog, lol XD
Cat had been pondering what Rancid had said. Put Dog down? How would that even be possible? Cat had been with Dog since birth, and the thought of putting him down was unthinkable. There had to be another way, there just had to be.
Cat pleaded with Rancid, "Please, isn't there another way? There has to be! I mean, come on! You're all doctors, there has to be something you can do! I can't live without Dog! He's my brother! My best friend! I love him!"
"I'm sorry, but there's really nothing left that we can do. We tried and tried, and we had to face the music, just like you have to. I mean, think about it. Would you rather have Dog live as a vegetable for the rest of his life, or would you rather let him be at peace?"
Cat knew very well what had to be done, but just felt so awful about it. He loves Dog, and he hates what he had said earlier to him, and hates the thought of Dog leaving the world remembering what he had said to him earlier that fateful day. If anything else, Cat would have to speak to Dog before it happened.
Rancid continued to speak with cat about the procedure that needs to take place. He informed Cat that the procedure would simply be a separation of their bodies, then a lethal injection for Dog. Cat choked up at hearing those last few words, knowing that this was the end of Dog's life. With sorrow and mourning burning in his spirit, Cat looked up and solemnly nodded. Rancid left the room, leaving Cat to say his final goodbyes.
Cat went up to the hospital bed where Dog was laying, knowing that after this the next time he would see Dog is before he'd be dead. Cat was crying, and needed to speak with Dog, unsure if he would actually hear him.
He slowly kneeled next to him and started off, "Hey, Dog. I don't know if you can hear me, or even understand what I'm saying. Listen…I know that I always had moments where I feel that I resented you, or being attached to you, or even knowing you. I'm also saying that, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the many years that I got you in trouble, I'm sorry for the way things have been, and I'm so terribly sorry for those mean, nasty, hurtful words of mine. You and I have been brothers and best friends since the day we were born. I hope that none of that changes, even though you're about to leave me"
Silence fell upon the room.
He continued, "I love you, Dog. I know you don't hear it often enough, and I'm not sure if you've ever heard me say it. But it's true, I love you. No matter what life threw at us, we were always able to stick together. Before you go, I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry, and that I love you."
Rancid walked slowly into the room, almost as if on cue. He softly put his hand on Cat's shoulder. He knew it was time for the operation, and one final time he looked up at Dog and muttered tearfully, "I love you buddy, goodbye".
Cat woke up hours later, with a very bad pain. He had been given donor legs, and was able to walk with help. He later walked into the room where Dog's lifeless body lay. He looked peaceful, and he was almost smiling, as if he were chasing a Garbage truck. Cat smiled gently at the scene, knowing that Dog wasn't suffering anymore. Tears filled his eyes, and Rancid and Winslow came in. Winslow looked at Dog and spoke to Cat, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, you gonna be okay?"
Cat hesitated, "I don't think I'll ever be okay with this, Winslow."
"For what it's worth, you're definitely not nuts for doing this. You did the right thing, and remember that Dog always loved ya."
"Thanks, Winslow. That means a lot."
"So, what are we going to do with him?"
Cat pondered the question, and responded, "We'll bury him under the tree in the front, that was always his favorite spot to hang around when he went outside."
"Good choice, I'll go home and get the grave ready. Anything else you need?"
"No, I'm good for now; I just want to be alone for a while with him."
Cat had gotten what he somewhat wanted all of his life. He could live his own life. However, if he had known what price he would have to pay, he would have never even entertained the thought.
