DON – Plastoflippancy

When I was 5 years old, I lived in Ramat Gan.

The neighbors had a boy my age named Ben and we were in the same kindergarten together.

One day he told me as we were walking to the kindergarten that his birthday was approaching and that he asked his parents for a dog.

He was very excited and said he could not wait.

The days passed and Ben’s birthday arrived.

My mother took me to Ben’s house where the birthday party was held and all the children in the kindergarten were invited.

After Ben finished opening everyone’s presents, Ben’s mother said: “Now it’s time for the last gift – from me and Daddy.”

Ben’s father came in, holding a sweet puppy with a red gift ribbon around his neck.

“Happy birthday!” he said.

Ben screamed with excitement and jumped up to take the dog.

It was a beautiful Belgian shepherd (Malinois).

Ben called the dog Don.

From that day, all Ben talked about was Don.

When we grew up and Ben was already able to take Don out for a walk by himself, I joined them.

We used to take him to the dog’s garden, play with him and teach him tricks.

At the age of 15, our paths have parted and we studied at different schools.

I was no longer joining Ben and Don on their walks, but I still encountered them from time to time.

Don was old but still very impressive and beautiful.

One evening I sat in my house watching TV, when suddenly I heard screams from the street.

I got up to the window and could not believe my eyes.

Don was ran over.

The big dog was lying on the road.

There was blood around his head.

Ben knelt near him, his face buried in Don’s body, his hands hugging him.

He cried and screamed and I could feel my eyes filling with tears as well.

It was a terrible sight and to this day it is engraved into my memory.

I went out to the street.

Some ambulances and police have arrived but Ben refused to get up, still crying and screaming in pain.

Many passers-by gathered and everyone tried to calm Ben.

After a long hour, everyone was gone.

Ben and I sat on the bench by the dog’s garden and said nothing.

Finally, Ben said, “I’ll never have a dog again.”

Today, 10 years later, Ben and I are no longer neighbors and he still has no dog.