I was talking about Rascal's death (see A Good Dog) with one of my betas, who looked at the wealth of details I gave her about the incident and said, "You should do something with that." So I have. Here it is, exactly 100 words on the death of Sands's dog. (Thanks, Kerrtu!)

Rascal

One Saturday in October, a boy with tears on his face dug a hole beneath a flame-leafed maple tree. He picked up a tattered plaid blanket that lay on the grass. Reluctant to release his burden, he stared into the hole, where a leash and a red rubber ball awaited their owner's arrival. Pulling back the covering, the boy bestowed a last scratch on the shaggy white fur, gently touched the black tip of a drooping ear. Poor old Rascal.

"Sheldon, get over it!" scolded his dad.

Sheldon wiped away the last tears of his childhood and buried his dog.