13May2026 Diary
I was out for an evening walk when I spotted a stray dog curled up on a park bench. I hurried over, and there lay the leather leash that Emily had carelessly tossed aside. Our mutt, Mars, glanced at me with eyes full of silent pleading.
Emily and I have barely spoken in the past two years. She still cant fathom how a trivial spat spiralled into such a bitter feud.
Emily and I were born a year apart, inseparable from the moment we learned to toddle. Whatever mischief we got into, we always shared the blame equally and never left the other to take the heat alone.
Our home village, Littleford, has grown steadily over the years, thanks in no small part to the guidance of the village council leader, Peter Harrington, a native son who turned out to be a shrewd agricultural adviser.
After finishing my degree in agronomy, I returned to Littleford and threw myself into community projects. Within a decade my efforts were recognised and Peter appointed me as the head of Littlefords civil administration.
My private life seemed to follow the same upward trajectory. Emily, after graduating from the local health college, began working as a nurse at the village clinic. Peter could not ignore a beauty such as hers, and her interest was soon returned. They married, and the whole village turned up to celebrate. I was genuinely happy for my sister, even though my own marriage to Natalie was far from smooth.
While Emily was still a teenager, Natalie would often mutter about her, dismissing her as nothing but a foolish girl. After Emilys wedding, envy replaced the muttering. Natalie began demanding more from her husband a larger house, a fancier car, better furnishings all of which I simply could not provide, no matter how hard I worked or how many pounds I saved.
Natalies own unhappiness stemmed partly from the fact that motherhood never came her way, while Emilys life blossomed: she married well, had a son and then a daughter, built a spacious home, and her husband rose to a respectable rank.
Family gatherings grew increasingly tense, ending in arguments. Whenever I visited the Emily household, Natalie would immediately start berating me.
The final blow came on my birthday. Emily presented me with a Labrador puppy shed bought in the city something Id longed for. Peter added a new motorbike to the gift. Everything seemed perfect until a drunken Natalie erupted, unleashing her bottledup anger on Emily:
Come on, Em, whats this about the dog? If weve no children, why not at least get a dog, eh?
Emily tried to calm her:
Natalie, take it easy. Youll regret this later
But her words fell on deaf ears. The argument swelled, the guests split into two camps, and Peter quietly whispered to his wife that they should leave. After saying their goodbyes, they slipped out of the celebration.
Two years later, I started to keep my distance from my sister; our contact was reduced to a few brief, infrequent meetings. The strain between Natalie and me also grew.
In the evenings I would often take Mars down to the riverbank with me. The two of us seemed content: Id toss a stick, Mars would dash after it, then collapse at my feet, listening attentively to the quiet stories I told. Neighbours knew about my river walks but did nothing; I was set in my ways.
After that bitter family clash, Natalies hatred for Emily and for the dog she had given me deepened. When I wasnt home, she would drive Mars out of the house, kick him, and sometimes even strike him.
The nosy neighbours kept fanning the flames:
Did you hear, Natalie? Your husbands out by the river again with that dog
Yesterday he ran into Emilys family, laughing and playing with the kids!
Jealousy completely consumed Natalie. One day I asked her, Natalie, are you still hurting Mars?
What do I need your dog for? she snapped, then stormed out of the room.
Mars began to hide from her, trembling whenever she appeared.
Everything came to a head one morning when, in a fit of rage, I shouted, Ive had enough of this endless jealousy!
Alone, fuming, Natalie dragged Mars onto the patio, tied him to a bench, and began to whip him. The poor creature whimpered in agony. After she spent her anger on the animal, she tossed the leash aside, packed a bag and left home for good.
That evening I returned to find the house in disarray. The bench held a bloodstained Mars, his paw clutched in my hand. I rushed him to the clinic.
Emily was just about to head home when she saw the brother Id become:
Emily, help me I croaked, clutching the injured dog.
We carried Mars inside. Emily examined his wounds, asked, Who did this?
Natalie I lowered my eyes.
She nodded silently, stitched the cuts, cleaned his eyes, and gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, I whispered, Im sorry, Em
She smiled wearily, Its all the same now. And Natalie?
Not any more. That chapter is closed.
I called Peter: Peter, could you come over, please?
Within half an hour he was standing in the corridor, his face tired but determined. The three of us huddled together while Mars whined softly, his eyes bright despite the pain.
Peter stayed, gave us advice on caring for Mars, and left with a promise to check back.
When I told our mother what had happened, she sighed, They should have split long ago. She gathered herself and went off to help our son tidy the house.
At the gym later, I sat on a bench, petting Mars. Our mother walked by, stroked both of us and asked, Are you both alright?
Yes, I answered.
The scent of a homecooked roast and fresh vegetables drifted from the kitchen. Mars nudged my hand with his nose, wagged his tail, and I couldnt help but smile. I stood up, feeling the weight lift a little.
Life goes on, but Ive learned that harbouring jealousy only damages those you love most. Letting bitterness fester turns even a loyal dog into a victim. The only way forward is to untie the leash, forgive, and walk forward together.
Edward.
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