Grave
Mary Cole stood solemnly before her husband's grave, holding a bouquet of flowers close to her chest. It had been just a few months since his passing, yet the pain remained raw, as if it had happened only yesterday.
Every Sunday, like clockwork, Mary made her pilgrimage to the cemetery. Here, amidst the quiet rows of headstones, she sought solace in reminiscing about their life together. Speaking to him brought her a sense of peace, a way to express her thoughts and emotions freely. He was her everything.
V
Kneeling beside the grave, tears tracing down her cheeks, Mary wrestled with overwhelming loneliness. Without her husband, life felt hollow and devoid of purpose.
Then, one day, as she sat lost in grief by the grave, Mary felt a gentle nudge against her hand. Startled, she looked down to find a small dog sitting beside her, its eyes brimming with empathy.
A Comforting Presence
Mary was startled at first by the unexpected presence of the dog. She assumed it must belong to the cemetery keeper, perhaps wandering the serene grounds as she did. Mary found solace in these walks; they brought a profound sense of peace.
Being there made Mary feel closer to Derek, her beloved husband. Though she spoke to him daily, being at his gravesite made her sense his presence more tangibly.
Haunting Tranquility
Despite the serene atmosphere of the cemetery, Mary couldn't shake a sense of unease that often crept over her. Cemeteries inherently carried an eerie ambiance, and Mary couldn't help but feel it too.
She glanced around cautiously, half-expecting to witness an apparition or something unsettling. Cold breezes frequently brushed past her in the cemetery, intensifying the eerie sensation that enveloped her. The atmosphere was undeniably different from anywhere else.
Unexpected Company
Mary regarded the scruffy dog with surprise. It had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, yet there was a comforting familiarity in its presence. The dog sat calmly, as if empathizing with her grief, offering quiet companionship.
"Hello there, buddy. What brings you here?" Mary mused aloud, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and sadness. "Did you lose someone too? This is Derek, my husband. He meant the world to me. I miss him terribly." The dog gazed at her, its eyes conveying understanding. It responded with a gentle bark, as if to reassure her that she wasn't alone in her sorrow.
Persistent Companion
Curious about the dog's unexpected presence, Mary gently touched its fur, voicing her concern softly. "You shouldn't stay here too long, buddy. It can get quite eerie. Go back to your owner; I'm sure there's a nice meal waiting for you. Go on."
Despite Mary's attempts to encourage the dog to leave, it persistently returned. Feeling unsettled, Mary decided it was time to depart. She cast a final glance at her husband's grave, unaware of what was to unfold next.
A Familiar Visitor
Returning to the cemetery the following Sunday, Mary encountered the dog once more. This time, to her surprise, it was asleep on her husband's grave.
Mary felt perplexed. Why was this dog consistently drawn to her husband's resting place? She couldn't comprehend the reason behind its peculiar attachment.
Gentle Awakening
The dog lay fast asleep, appearing serene to Mary's eyes. Though she hesitated to disturb its peaceful rest, she needed to place fresh flowers on her husband's grave.
As Mary rustled the flower packet, the sound startled the dog, causing it to leap up from its comfortable spot. "I'm sorry, little one, but I need to replace these flowers," Mary murmured gently. "Why are you here anyway?" The dog whimpered softly and retreated slowly.
Sharing with Derek
Seated beside the flowers she had brought, Mary addressed her husband in her familiar manner. "I brought you some lovely yellow roses today. You always adored roses, and you used to call me your sunshine. I miss you so much, Derek. We didn't have nearly enough time together."
Mary's tears flowed freely as she poured out her heart at Derek's grave. Nearby, the dog observed quietly, its presence a mystery to Mary as it continued to return to her husband's resting place.
Intrusive Presence
Through her tears, Mary glanced up and noticed the dog watching her. Irritation crept in as she felt increasingly annoyed by its persistent presence. "Stop staring at me. This is supposed to be a private moment with my husband," Mary muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. "Why are you always here? Do you live around here? Who takes care of you?"
The dog remained silent, emitting a small whimper. "What's the matter with you?" Mary continued, growing more perplexed. "Is the groundskeeper your owner? Should I call him for you?"
The Dog Follows
When Mary was ready to go, she got up and bid her husband goodbye. “Until next time, my love.” She started walking to the cemetery groundsman’s little cottage situated at the far end of the entrance.
When she looked behind her, the dog was following her. When she got to the cottage, she knocked on the door. It eventually opened, and she was greeted by the groundsman. “Good morning, Ma’am. How can I help you?”
The Groundsman
Mary smiled. The man looked polite. “Good morning. I come here every Sunday to visit my husband’s grave and I’ve recently noticed this dog is always by his grave. Does he belong to you?”
The groundsman looked past Mary to have a look at the dog in question. “No, Ma’am. Not my dog. I noticed him walking in the cemetery. I tried chasing it away, but he kept coming back. In the end, I let him be because he didn’t seem to be causing any harm. Maybe he just likes the peacefulness of the place.”
Being Watched
Mary felt a shiver run down her spine at the groundsman's words. The dog's persistent presence took on an almost eerie quality now that she knew it didn't belong to anyone in the cemetery.
She thanked the groundsman and turned to leave, but the dog trailed behind her, its eyes never leaving her. As she walked back towards her car, Mary couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Following Her
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the dog still following her, its steps quiet but purposeful. Her heart raced with a mixture of fear and curiosity. What did the dog want with her?
Despite her unease, Mary couldn't bring herself to shout at the dog. It seemed to have attached itself to her, and she couldn't help but feel a strange connection to it as if it held some deeper meaning she couldn't yet understand. What did the dog want from her?
A Strange Feeling
As soon as she got into her car, she watched the dog just sitting there. It then got up and proceeded to make its way back into the cemetery. There was something about this dog.
Mary just couldn’t put her finger on it. She kept thinking about the dog. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something strange about it. Why was this dog always in the cemetery, and most of all, why was it always at her husband’s graveside?
Why Hang Around?
It looked pretty healthy besides its scruffy look. Perhaps he did have an owner somewhere. Someone that was taking good care of it. But then why would it hang around in a cemetery, of all places? What would make this dog wander around the endless graves and then sleep on her husband’s grave?
Something didn’t add up. Mary was fascinated, and she wanted to know more. Little did she know that she was about to uncover the truth about the peculiar cemetery dog.
More Frequent Visits
Unable to shake off the nagging feeling, Mary found herself returning to the cemetery more frequently than before. Each time, the dog was there, faithfully waiting by her husband's grave. It was as though it had become a fixture of her visits, an unexpected companion in her grief.
One chilly afternoon, as Mary sat beside the grave, the dog nestled close to her, its warmth a comforting presence against the biting wind. In that moment, Mary felt a sudden surge of determination to unravel the mystery surrounding the dog's presence.
Hungry
She petted him, and he wagged his tail at her. He looked happy to see her. Mary had also brought some food along this time. She felt sorry for the poor dog. He looked a bit hungry.
She carefully opened the package of meat sandwiches she had prepared and saw instantly how the dog licked its lips. He was very hungry indeed.
Wanting More
He gobbled up the sandwiches and then looked for more. He couldn’t contain himself when Mary pulled out another sandwich that was meant to be for her but she gave it up to the dog, who looked ravenous.
“Wow, boy. You sure are hungry. I thought you had a home. Do you? Where do you go at night, boy?” The dog just looked at her. He seemed very content that he had eaten something.
Right Behind Her
After spending some time at the grave, it was time to go. However, this time, things would end a little differently. As Mary walked between the graves, as always, the dog was right behind her.
She jumped in her car, and this time, the dog followed all the way to the car. Before she could look again, the dog had jumped into the car. Mary couldn’t believe that the dog had done that. What was she going to do now?
In The Car
Mary stared at the dog in disbelief as it settled into the backseat of her car, its eyes fixated on her with a strange intensity. She felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her—confusion, concern, and a tinge of fear. What had possessed the dog to follow her so persistently?
Trying to maintain her composure, Mary gently reached out and scratched behind the dog's ears, eliciting a low rumble of contentment from the canine. Despite her apprehension, she couldn't deny the warmth that blossomed in her heart at the simple gesture of companionship.
Going Home
With a sigh, Mary resigned herself to the unexpected turn of events and started the engine. As the car pulled out of the cemetery, the dog remained in the backseat, its presence a silent but undeniable presence.
“I guess you’re coming with me then,” she said, looking at him through the rearview mirror. The dog just gave a soft, content bark.
Uneasy Journey
The journey back home felt strangely uneasy with the dog accompanying her. Mary couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, even though the dog made no sound or movement from the backseat. It was as though it was waiting for something, but Mary couldn't fathom what.
Eager
With a resigned shrug, Mary opened the door, and the dog bounded out of the car, its tail wagging eagerly. As they entered the house together, Mary couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to take an unexpected turn.
She was about to uncover something so strange that it would seem like she was meant to meet the dog.
Unexpected Companion
In the days that followed, Mary found herself growing accustomed to the presence of the dog in her home. It seemed to have adopted her as its new companion, following her around with unwavering loyalty.
Despite her initial reservations, Mary found herself enjoying the company of the dog. It brought a sense of comfort and warmth to her lonely existence, filling the void left by her husband's passing in a way she hadn't thought possible. It was then that she found something unexpected.
A Photo
While looking at pictures of her husband on her phone. She came across a photo of him. It was a photo she had never seen before. It was Derek and the dog.
The very same dog that was now sitting on her couch in her living room. What were the chances of this? It seemed like the dog knew Derek. Was this why he was at his grave all this time? Mary was amazing and touched at the same time.
Realization
Suddenly, everything clicked into place for Mary. The dog wasn't just a random stray drawn to the cemetery; it was a connection to her late husband that she hadn't realized existed. Derek must have had a bond with this dog, a bond strong enough for it to linger by his grave long after he was gone.
Tears welled up in Mary's eyes as she looked at the dog with newfound understanding and gratitude. It was as though Derek had sent this loyal companion to her, knowing that she needed someone to help her through her grief. She named him Dino.
Accepting Dino
With a sense of peace settling over her, Mary welcomed Dino into her life wholeheartedly. No longer did she feel alone in her sorrow; she had a faithful friend by her side, a link to her beloved Derek, that brought her comfort and solace.
From that day forward, Mary and Dino became inseparable. They would visit Derek's grave together, sharing memories and finding solace in each other's company. As they walked through life side by side, Mary knew that her husband's love would always be with her in the form of their unexpected canine companion.
A New Beginning
With Dino’s presence, Mary found the strength to move forward, to embrace life once again. Together, they embarked on a new journey, filled with love, companionship, and the cherished memories of Derek that would forever live on in their hearts.
And as they faced the challenges and joys that life had in store for them, Mary knew that she would never truly be alone, for she had her husband's enduring love and the unwavering loyalty of their faithful friend to guide her every step of the way.
Healing Two Hearts
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Mary's heart healed, not completely, but enough to know that she would be okay. And through it all, Dino remained by her side, a constant reminder of the love that never truly dies.
Together, they found peace in each other's company, forging a bond that transcended time and space. And as they stood together at Derek's grave, surrounded by the quiet serenity of the cemetery, Mary knew that love, in all its forms, would always prevail. And with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, she whispered to the wind, "Thank you, Derek, for sending me this unexpected gift. I will cherish it always."