After Ten Years
After ten long years of missing, Kristy’s beloved pitbull Marvin had finally been found.
Throughout all these years, Marvin hadn’t just wandered the streets. It was warm in a house and he was being cared for. It had just been discovered that Kristy’s dog had been stolen.
Taken
Kristy couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was finally time for her to hug her beloved Pitbull Marvin again after ten long years. He had been gone for a long time, but where had he been?
A shocking discovery was about to be made, and it wouldn’t be pretty. The dog had been stolen, and the owner was about to confront the perpetrator.
Missed Him Too Much
His tail was wagging enthusiastically when he saw her, and he looked healthy. “My boy, I’m so glad you’re doing well.” Kristy wept as she said, “I missed you so much.”
Her life revolved around Marvin. Her late father gave him to her as a gift. When she went off to college, her father gave her Marvin as protection.
Taking Him Back
Marvin had been stolen from Kristy and she stared at the person who had done it. As she yelled, “How can you do this to me? You know how much he means to me, yet you stole him!”
As her blood boils, she can’t comprehend why anyone would do such a thing to her. Marvin was leashed and she walked away, hoping never to see the person again.
Beloved Pitbull
Kristy had to accept that she was probably never going to see their beloved pitbull Marvin again after he went missing.
Their two children and Kristy’s husband, Carter, searched everywhere for him, but he just disappeared into thin air. It was as if someone had broken into their house and walked away with Marvin.
Like Glue To Her Side
Kristy wouldn’t go anywhere without Marvin. It was as if he was glued to her. Marvin was Kristy’s best friend, and the few times she wasn’t with him, he stayed by the door. Awaiting her return.
Therefore, everyone was puzzled by Marvin’s wandering. It wasn’t in his nature to do so.
Under Her Desk
In order to be close to Kristy at all times, Marvin had a bed under her desk while she worked from home.
When Kristy saw him get up, she didn’t think it was unusual. His bowl was usually in the kitchen where he ate. The real mystery was how he got outside.
No Doggy Door
For her own safety, Kristy usually locked all the doors downstairs, since her home office was upstairs. Marvin couldn’t exit through the dog flap because there wasn’t one.
As soon as he wanted to go out, he would bark at her, and Kristy would wait until he was done. He lived indoors. Kristy was the only one who took him out.
Burden To Carry
Kristy racked her brains, trying to figure out what happened to her boy. At that moment, she was in a Zoom meeting with a client, so she blamed herself for not watching him.
Marvin was already gone before she even realized what had happened. Was he safe, and where was he?
Vanished
As Kristy thought about where he might be, terrible thoughts crossed her mind. It was impossible for her to imagine how he would have been treated if he had been taken by anyone else.
Alternatively, he could be all alone somewhere in the cold with no shelter or food. The pain in Kristy’s heart was unbearable. In order to save Marvin’s life, she needed to find him as soon as possible.
Posters
Carter had done everything he could to appease his wife and help her find her beloved furry friend. He, too, was very worried about Marvin and wished that he could be found.
They made posters with a very recent photo of Marvin on them and distributed them all around the neighborhood in the hopes of finding him. Maybe someone had seen him somewhere.
Giving Up
But after ten whole years, Carter had already given up hope of ever finding Marvin. He thought by now, someone would contact them with information about his whereabouts.
It had been so long, and he knew that Marvin had either found a new home or had left the earth. But Kristy was not giving up at all. She was still clinging to hope that they would be receiving some news. And she was right.
The Phone Call
One Saturday morning, as Kristy was lacing up her boots to go out for a hike, she received a phone call from someone. “Hello, is this Kristy?” Kristy’s heart skipped a beat.
“Yes, this is her. How can I help you?” Kristy knew in her heart that it was about Marvin. She just didn’t know what to expect.
A Terrible Realization
“I was walking through the park, and I found a collar with the name Marvin on it. I immediately called the number on it.” Kristy sank to her knees in agony but mustered the courage to reply to the caller.
“Thank you so much. I can meet you in the park in 15 minutes to get it from you.” She hung up and started to cry. There was still a chance that Marvin could be found.
Who Would Do This?
Who would do this? If someone was a dog lover like she was, they would know that the dog had a loving family who was looking for it.
Who was such a monster to separate a dog from his family? Kristy could only imagine, and now, she only had questions. What was she going to do now?
Remaining Focused
Kristy quickly wiped away her tears and composed herself. She had to stay strong and focused. Grabbing her car keys, she rushed out the door, determined to find the person who had just called about the collar. It had been ten years, and now there was a lead.
As she arrived at the park, her heart raced with anticipation and anger. She scanned the area, searching for the person who had called her.
Where Is Marvin?
Finally, she spotted a middle-aged woman holding Marvin’s collar in her hand. Kristy approached the woman with a mix of desperation and fury. “Are you the woman who called me? Where is Marvin?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
The woman looked uneasy, her eyes darting around. “I found the collar abandoned in the park. I thought it would be best to call the number and let you know,” she explained, her voice faltering.
A Feeling Of Dread
Kristy’s anger subsided slightly, replaced by a sinking feeling of dread. It was possible that someone had discarded the collar after taking Marvin. But why?
With a glimmer of hope still lingering, Kristy pleaded with the woman. “Please, if you saw anything else or have any information, I need to find my dog. He means everything to me.”
In Town
The woman hesitated, her gaze shifting guiltily. “No, nothing, I swear. I just spoke to your mother-in-law, Mabel, the other day. She didn’t want to talk about Marvin.”
Kristy’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t even know her mother-in-law was in town since she lived in Fort Lauderdale. Why would she be avoiding her son and daughter-in-law?
Unexpected Response
When she got home, she quickly got her mother-in-law, Mabel, on the other line. Kristy wanted to know why she hadn’t come to say hello to them.
But when Kristy called her, she did not expect the response she received from her. “I was just there very briefly, dear. Besides, I didn’t want to leave my dog alone for too long.” Kristy could’ve sworn that Mabel was avoiding her.
A Strange Conversation
She also had no idea that Mabel had a dog. When Kristy told her husband Carter about the strange conversation she had with his mother, he just shrugged and brushed it off.
But he had an idea for them to visit his mother at her house to take Kristy’s mind off of Marvin. She needed some rest and relaxation. But somehow, Kristy was feeling very uneasy.
The Visit
Reluctantly, Kristy agreed to visit Mabel’s house with Carter. They drove from their house in Tampa and got there just in time to catch the afternoon sun. It was a beautiful coastal house, nestled among tall trees with a view of the ocean.
The peaceful surroundings seemed like a stark contrast to the turmoil that had consumed their lives since Marvin’s disappearance. As they arrived at the house, Kristy couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off.
Tension
The air was heavy with tension, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Mabel knew more than she let on.
The visit started on an awkward note, with Mabel seeming distant and on edge. Kristy couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. What was she hiding? She decided to confront Mabel directly, determined to uncover the truth.
Something Was Not Right
“Mabel, I know something’s not right. Please, talk to us,” Kristy pleaded, her voice filled with concern.
Mabel’s expression softened, and tears welled up in her eyes. Kristy now knew that her instincts were right. Mabel was definitely keeping something from them. But she had no idea that it would be something so shocking.
He’s Here
“I’m sorry, Kristy. I’ve been keeping something from you,” she confessed, her voice trembling. “Marvin… he’s here. He’s been here all along.”
Shock and relief washed over Kristy simultaneously. “What do you mean he’s here? Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked, her voice laced with frustration. Why was her mother-in-law doing this to her?
He Wanted To Leave
Mabel explained, her voice quivering, “I didn’t know how to tell you. I’ve grown to love Marve over the years, so I used my set of keys to let him out of your house. Besides, he willingly left with me. Maybe he wanted to leave you. Besides, I live alone, and I need protection. He was perfect.”
Kristy’s emotions swirled with disbelief and anger. “How could you do this to me? You know how much he means to me. He was a gift from my father. I’ve suffered so much pain and heartache,” she exclaimed.
Never Meant It
Mabel’s face turned pale; her eyes filled with remorse. “I never meant to cause you pain, Kristy. I thought I was doing what was best for Marve. He seemed unhappy with you, always waiting for you to come home. I thought he needed a change.”
Tears streamed down Kristy’s face as she struggled to comprehend Mabel’s betrayal. “You had no right to make that decision for me. Marvin was my family, my companion. How could you take him away?”
Reunited
“Where is he now?” she demanded, her voice wavering with a mix of hope and fear. Mabel’s face softened, and she guided Kristy to a secluded room in the house. As they entered, Kristy’s eyes widened in disbelief. There, lying on a plush dog bed, was Marvin, wagging his tail at the sight of his beloved owner.
Overwhelmed with emotions, Kristy fell to her knees and embraced Marvin, holding him tightly. She whispered through her tears, “Oh, Marvin, I missed you so much. I thought I’d never see you again.”
Inexcusable
With a heavy heart, Carter turned to his mother. “Mom, what you did was inexcusable. Kristy and Marvin deserves an apology and an explanation for your actions. We need to work through this and find a way to heal.”
Mabel nodded, tears streaming down her face. “You’re right, Carter. I never realized the depth of pain I would cause. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”
Back Home And Healing
In the weeks that followed, Kristy, Carter, and Mabel embarked on a journey of healing and reconciliation. Mabel sought therapy to understand her actions, and the family engaged in honest conversations to rebuild trust and forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Marvin adjusted to being back in his familiar surroundings, surrounded by the love and care he had missed for ten long years. The experience had changed him, and he clung even tighter to Kristy, appreciating the bond they shared.