The Ghosts of the Mistreated Canines

By Tom Marovich

Margaret is being torn apart. Her father and brothers are cruel to her pets-Mack, Red, and Pretty Girl, and they treat her with the same cold-heartedness. Her mother understands her love and affection toward the abused pets, but most of the time, she is unable to protect Margaret and her pets from the harsh treatment.

Margaret is only happy when she is with her grandparents, who share her love and affection for pets. One summer vacation, Margaret stayed at her grandparents' farm and made last

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781634171618

Book preview

PREFACE

The Ghosts of the Mistreated Canines may very well be one of the most heartbreaking stories you will ever read. This is a story about a family of five who lived in a big city in the North Country. There’s Joe, the husband and father; Kathleen, the wife and mother; two teenage boys—Jack, age fourteen, and Lawrin, age twelve—and one eight-year-old daughter, Margaret.

They have three loving canines, including one eight-year-old German shepherd named Mack, which they got for Margaret shortly after she was born. Mack was supposed to grow up with Margaret and be her companion and protector. Then they got a dark-red six-year-old golden retriever, which they named Red. Red was supposed to be Joe’s hunting dog, even though Joe never had the ambition to pick up his rifle and go to the woods. Then there was Pretty Girl, a little apricot-colored Pomeranian, either abandoned or lost, who followed Margaret home from school one day. Of course, Margaret had to take the little Pomeranian under her wing.

Joe and their two teenage boys are ruthless, continually physically abusing the three loving canines that were supposed to be their loving pets and part of their family. Margaret is a tenderhearted, critter-loving little girl. She goes through a lot of mental stress and heartache to love, care for, and try to protect the three loving canines.

Kathleen was afraid of Joe and their two ruthless teenage boys when it came to the treatment of the family pets. One day, she finally got a bellyfull of their ruthless behavior and decided that enough was enough. She would take action to save the canines.

The kids’ grandparents, Kathleen’s mom and dad, lived in the country. They are good-hearted Christian folks. Kathleen’s dad’s name is Harold, and her mother’s name is Kathleen, but she always went by the name of Kate. One summer, while Margaret was spending her summer vacation with Harold and Kate on their farm, she told her grandpa how her dad and her brothers mistreated their dogs. Harold told her that he would have a talk with her dad about the abuse, but due to a tragedy, he never got the chance.

This is a story about death, love, heartache, and cruelty. What is written here could very well be happening all around us.

CHAPTER 1

Thanksgiving

It was early October 2007, and the colorful fall leaves started to cover the chilled ground while the bite of the winter’s chill began to sweep across the North Country. Every chance she got, Margaret played in the leaves with Mack and Red. The two canines would lie still while Margaret covered them with the fallen leaves. When Margaret hollered, her furry friends would jump up, and the leaves would fly like they were blown up with a stick of dynamite. They would play for hours unless her two ruthless brothers went outside and lay in the leaf pile or whatever else they could do to stop Margaret from enjoying herself with her two furry friends. But this particular evening, Jack and Lawrin glued themselves to the television. Margaret took advantage of her alone time with the dogs, and she played with her canine companions right up until Kathleen called her in for supper.

Although their backyard was poorly fenced, the dogs seldom left the yard. The only time they would leave was at night if they were really hungry. Then they would leave to scrounge the city for a morsel of food. Joe wouldn’t care if the dogs starved to death, so dog food in the house was usually in short supply. His main excuses for not buying dog food were that he didn’t have enough money or he forgot. Sometimes he claimed he didn’t have enough time to stop at the store. Kathleen bought what dog food she could when she got a chance to go to the store by herself. Margaret gave her canine friends what leftovers she could from the table, but with a family of five, any leftovers were slim to none. The dogs were thin, and their bodies were too undernourished to take the cold bite of winter that lay ahead.

Two years before, Joe promised Margaret that he would build a shelter for her furry friends, but due to his I don’t care attitude—and the television—the dogs’ shelter never got built. Jack and Lawrin followed right in their dad’s footsteps. They wouldn’t do anything to help care for or protect the family pets. As far as those three were concerned, the dogs were no more than a burden and something to take their temper out on. Kathleen did what she could for Margaret’s companions. But Kathleen was afraid of Joe’s temper, and she didn’t want to cross him by taking up for the dogs. Joe had never raised a hand to Kathleen, but her fear that he might was always there.

Kathleen was an excellent cook. For supper that night, she fried chicken, made mashed potatoes and gravy, and boiled some corn on the cob. She made a salad to complete the feast.

At five thirty, she opened the door and hollered, Margaret, sweetheart, why don’t you come in and set the table.

I’ll be in in a minute, Mom. Her furry companions were beside her, one on each side, and she put her arms around each one. She kissed them both between their ears and said, I gotta go help Mom, but I’ll be back out after supper. She got to her feet and started to brush the leaves from her long blond hair when she heard the back door open. Her dad was standing in the doorway.

Leave those mutts alone, and get your butt in here like your mom told you to, Joe yelled.

Margaret wasn’t being slow about going in—that was just her dad’s temper. He didn’t need an excuse to get mad or to fly off the handle. Anger seemed to just come naturally to him.

Margaret went in to help her mom set the table. Joe and her brothers sat on the couch and made no move to help Kathleen in the kitchen. But they moved quickly when their supper was on the table. After their supper was over, Margaret helped her mom clear the table and do the dishes.

Mom, can I have a couple of pieces of chicken for Mack and Red?

Joe hollered from the living room. You ain’t giving them dogs any of that chicken!

I’ll fix them something to eat, dear, Kathleen told her. You go get their dishes.

When the table was cleared and the dishes were done, Margaret went out and came back in with two kettles with their handles missing. She washed them and set them on the table. Kathleen put two good handfuls of dog food in each one, and then she poured a dipper full of delicious chicken gravy over that. There you go, dear. Go feed your pets. And give them fresh water while you’re at it.

Mom, can I play outside for a while?

Just for a while, dear. It’s going to be dark soon.

Margaret sat on the porch while the dogs ate their mixture of dog food and gravy. With full bellies and being tired from a hard day’s play, they lay down one on each side of Margaret. With gentle petting from Margaret and the sound of her soft voice, it wasn’t long before the two dogs fell sound asleep. With the dark of night almost upon them, Margaret’s hand slid down the backs of her furry friends. She lay back to watch the shining stars. The clear, steady, and low rumble of Red’s snoring almost put her to sleep. She just started to doze off when Kathleen opened the back door.

With a cup of coffee in her hand, Kathleen sat down in an old rocker on the back porch. The two dogs were sleeping so soundly that they didn’t move a hair when Kathleen stepped onto the porch.

Margaret opened her eyes and stared at the bright stars. Mom, is there a heaven?

Of course there is, sweetheart.

For a few minutes there was silence except for Red’s snoring. Then Margaret asked, Will we go there?

Go where, dear?

To heaven.

Of course we will, dear. And so will Mack and Red.

Mom, what’s heaven like?

Well, sweetheart, it’s supposed to be real pretty—flowing fields of green grass, lakes of pure water, with no pollution in them at all. And where all the people and animals get along together. God won’t let anyone be mean in heaven.

Mommy, who’s God?

Kathleen got out of her rocker and sat on the porch alongside Margaret and her two loving companions. She gently scratched Mack between his ears. God…how can I explain him to you so you’ll understand? Well, sweetheart, God is a superpower.

Like Superman, Mom?

No, dear, God has much more power than Superman. God made everything, even Superman! He made all the people, all the animals, even your Mack and Red. He made the sky, the stars, the trees. He made everything that you can see and touch.

Mom, will Jack and Lawrin and Dad go to heaven and be mean to the other animals?

No, dear. When we go to heaven, God won’t let anyone be mean. God is good. He’s the best. There is no one any better.

With the exception of Red’s snoring, silence once again filled the back porch. After about ten minutes, Kathleen got to her feet. We better go in, dear. It’s getting a little nippy out here.

Mom, can I ask you one more question before we go in the house?

Of course, dear, what is it?

Will God give us what we want if we pray for it?

Not always, dear. But if you believe in God, he will always give you what you need.

With that being the end of the discussion, Kathleen patted the two canines between their ears. Good night, boys.

Margaret kissed them on their noses. I will see you tomorrow. You stay out here with God.

While Kathleen sat at the table reading a book, Margaret took herself a nice long bath. Joe broke away from the television and entered the kitchen. Where’s the little brat?

Choosing her words carefully, Kathleen looked him right in the eyes. She’s taking a bath. And, Joe, Margaret isn’t a brat. She’s just a little girl that you and the boys neglect. Without a comeback, Joe went back into the living room.

After her long bath, Margaret was tired and ready for sleep. She told her mother good night and then went off to bed.

Snuggled under the covers, Margaret stared out her window at the stars. Her mind wandered in deep thought. God made the stars, and he’s the father of Superman. That thought stuck in Margaret’s mind until she slowly fell into a deep sleep.

Growing up, Kathleen was raised in a Christian atmosphere, and when she first married Joe, she attended church every Sunday. But Joe thought the world always was, and he didn’t believe that there was a God. As far as he was concerned, we are born, then we live life, die, get buried, rot, and that’s the end. With his way of thinking, Kathleen didn’t bring up the subject of the good Lord very often. Every time she did, it caused a big heated argument between her and Joe. She went to church less and less and eventually quit going at all.

At seven o’clock the following morning, Margaret woke up to the aroma of frying bacon. She felt about starved and hurriedly got ready for breakfast. When she entered the kitchen, Joe and the boys were already stuffing their faces at the table. Without saying a word, Margaret got herself a glass of milk and sat close to where her mom was going to sit. Kathleen put two pancakes and a couple of slices of bacon on Margaret’s plate.

Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?

Yes, Mom, I was tired, I slept all night. I fell asleep thinking about God and Superman.

Jack looked over at Margaret. You’re dumb! There ain’t no such thing as God or Superman.

Margaret spoke up. There is too a God, isn’t there, Mom?

Yes, sweetheart, there is.

Joe slapped the table. I don’t want to hear no more of this crap. Now finish your breakfast!

The remainder of their breakfast was eaten in silence. After breakfast, Margaret helped her mom clear the table and do the dishes, while Joe and the boys went back in the living room and glued themselves to the television. After the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, Margaret went out back to check on her furry friends. They were lying on the porch waiting for her.

Brrrrr, it’s cold out here, she told her canine companions. After petting them for a few minutes, she got their empty food containers, went inside, and refilled them. The dog food bag was again almost empty. Mom, Mack and Red are almost out of dog food.

Just give them a couple handfuls and tear up the leftover pancakes and mix with it. And put your coat on when you go back out. It’s nippy out there.

Margaret put her coat on and went back to feed Mack and Red. She sat on the frost-covered porch while they ate. After a couple of minutes, she got to her feet. I’m freezing my butt, she told the dogs.

As she brushed off the seat of her pants, Mack and Red didn’t even look up. They just kept on cleaning up the remaining morsels that were left in their dishes. After Margaret gave them fresh water, she went back into the kitchen and found her mom sitting at the table, sipping on her morning coffee. Margaret walked right past her mom and into the living room. She stepped right between Joe and the television and stood there for a moment before asking, Daddy, will you make a doghouse for Mack and Red? It’s getting cold outside.

Joe totally ignored his little girl and didn’t say a word. He acted like she wasn’t even there, like he could see the television right through her. Margaret had no choice but to turn and walk away.

On Monday, the first day of the last week of school before Thanksgiving break, Margaret was eager to get to school. She liked school and knew the week would go by quickly. The only reason her brothers went to school is because they had no choice. When the last bell rang at quarter to three on Friday afternoon, Jack and Lawrin ran home and left Margaret to walk the two blocks to their house all by herself.

After walking about a half a block, Margaret came upon a little Pomeranian that was shivering from the fall chill. Margaret sensed right away that the little Pomeranian was a female. When Margaret stopped, the little dog walked right up to her, shivering like a leaf in a windstorm. Margaret checked her for a collar and a tag, but there was no sign of ownership around the little dog’s neck.

After warming the shivering canine with her coat, she put her back down on the sidewalk. Without the heart to turn the little Pomeranian away, Margaret watched and walked on as the little pooch was right on her heels all the way to her house and into the backyard. Immediately, Mack and Red started sniffing all over the newcomer. Margaret watched for any aggression among the three dogs. After she was sure no harm was going to come to the little Pomeranian, Margaret went in through the back door of the house and set her school papers on the table.

Kathleen was sitting at the table, reading a romance novel.

Mom, can I talk to you a minute?

Of course, dear. What’s on your mind?

A little dog followed me home. She’s out in the backyard.

Kathleen folded a top corner of the page that she was reading and closed her book. Okay, sweetheart, let’s go see what followed you home.

Kathleen checked for a collar and a tag, also, but there was none. She petted the little Pomeranian. She’s pretty, but she’s awfully thin. Bring her into the kitchen, dear. We’ll see if we can find her something to eat.

Margaret sat on the kitchen floor with the little pooch, while Kathleen made her a meal of a small handful of dog food and a few leftovers from the refrigerator.

Just then, Joe wandered into the kitchen with his coffee cup. What the hell is that thing doing in here? he barked.

With fear for the little dog, Margaret wrapped her arms around it, and Kathleen explained the situation to her husband. Joe looked at the little Pomeranian and said, After you feed the dumb mutt, I don’t want to see it back in this house. He filled his coffee cup and went back to the living room.

Margaret petted her new little companion while she finished eating. I’m going to name her Pretty Girl.

Not so fast, sweetheart, Kathleen told her. We’ve got to put a notice up in the post office and try to find her owner. She might already belong to some other little girl. Until we find out, you can take care of her, but she will have to stay outside with Mack and Red.

Margaret’s ninth birthday was November 26, just a few days after Thanksgiving. Kathleen told her daughter that if no one else claimed Pretty Girl, she could keep her as her birthday present. Joe would just have to understand.

I will take good care of her, Mom, I promise.

I know you will, dear. Now take her outside.

Kathleen knew that by the condition Pretty Girl was in, she was either abandoned or lost. It looked as if Pretty Girl had been on the streets for several days, and the chances of anyone claiming her were slim to none. Kathleen couldn’t stand the thought of taking the little dog to the pound and having her locked up in a cage. Margaret was too young to comprehend that the little Pomeranian would be abused and mistreated, just the same as Mack and Red, if she stayed there with them. Joe and the boys wouldn’t treat the small and fragile little dog any differently.

The day before Thanksgiving, Joe and the boys stayed glued to the television while Kathleen worked in the kitchen making several pies. Margaret helped her mother most of the day but spent the last hour of daylight out in the backyard with her three canines. It was almost seven o’clock when Kathleen finally opened the back door. Margaret was sitting on the back porch with one big dog on each side of her and Pretty Girl sound asleep on her lap.

Margaret, you better put your new friend down and come in for the night.

Okay, Mom, I’ll be in in a minute. Without disturbing the big dogs, Margaret got up slow and easy. She put Pretty Girl between Mack and Red. You two look after Pretty Girl tonight, she told them as she lightly patted their heads before she went in the house.

Kathleen took the last pie out of the oven—she had made two apple pies and two pumpkin pies—just as Jack stepped into the kitchen. Margaret had just come inside.

I hear you got another dumb dog out there, Jack said. I’m going out and find out how dumb it really is.

She’s not dumb, retorted Margaret. And you leave her alone.

Kathleen knew Jack would be up to no good if he went outside to where the dogs were. She spoke up. Jack, it’s dark out. You couldn’t see anything anyway. Go back in and watch TV with your father.

It will be daylight tomorrow, Jack grumbled as he left the kitchen.

Right then it dawned on Margaret that Pretty Girl wasn’t going to be any safer than the big dogs. She was in even more danger because she was so small.

Don’t pay any attention to Jack, sweetheart. Why don’t you help me with the dishes?

Without disturbing her canine friends, Margaret took one good look out the back door before she turned in for the night. All three were asleep on the porch, with full bellies, right where she left them.

Thanksgiving morning, Kathleen got up at five o’clock. At six o’clock, she put a big turkey in the oven. With the break of day, Margaret wandered into the kitchen. She went right to the window of the kitchen door to see her canine friends. In the dim of the early morning light, she couldn’t even see an outline of the dogs. Margaret took the cup of hot chocolate her mother poured for her and sipped on it as they talked.

I’m sure the dogs are fine, sweetheart.

I know, Mom, but I’m worried that Jack and Lawrin will hurt Pretty Girl. She’s so small.

She’ll be okay. Now finish your chocolate and get dressed. Then you can feed your friends and help me in the kitchen this morning.

Joe and the boys got out of bed and wandered up to the table. Is that little mutt still here? was the first thing out of Jack’s mouth.

Neither Kathleen nor Margaret thought that Jack’s sarcasm was worth responding to.

Kathleen poured Joe a cup of coffee and a cup of hot chocolate for each of the boys.

What color is the mutt? Lawrin asked.

There was