Today's post is the fourth story in the Adventures of Zelda short story series. This story is different from the past three in format and content. Let me know what you think and your favorite Zelda story so far!
Since Hannah and Nate adopted me, I’ve experienced many adventures and encountered dangerous foes. I faced the leaf pile, Vacuum, a snowman and Squeaks the squirrel. But, the most terrifying villain I faced was a tapeworm Nate named Gannondorf. Gannondorf arrived suddenly and quietly one day, causing me terrible pain for several days. Usually, I protect Hannah and Nate, but this time, they saved me.
This story of Gannondorf started on a day like any other. I woke up, went for my morning walk, played for a bit, and took my mid-morning nap on the couch while Hannah and Nate went to work. I woke up that evening to the door opening. Nate walked in and asked if I wanted to go out. I jolted up to meet Nate at the front door. But, when I started moving, my stomach seared with pain. The pain was terrible and debilitating. However, I desperately needed to go out, so I fought through the pain and went outside with Nate. I quickly did my business and returned inside to lay next to Hannah. I tried to jump on the couch, but I was too weak. I missed the couch and toppled backwards on the ground. Fortunately, Hannah took pity on me. She picked me up and set me next to her. I curled up next to her legs and fell asleep.
I woke up to the sun light seeping through the curtains and my body in serious pain. I looked around and realized I was in the bedroom. I couldn’t recall moving to the bedroom the previous night. I let out a moan of frustration.
“Morning Zelda,” said Nate. He started to massage my body, but I moved out of his reach.
“Zelda, do you want to go out?” whispered Nate. I didn’t move. “Okay, guess not,” he said. I was still exhausted. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Nate and Hannah were both out of bed when I opened my eyes again. I couldn’t hold it any longer so I slowly walked to the front door and sat. I hoped going outside would make me feel better.
“Okay, let’s go out,” said Hannah from the kitchen. She put on her shoes and coat. We went to the backyard and returned inside. I laid down in my dog bed and tried to get comfortable without any luck. There wasn’t any way to lay without feeling the searing pain. I didn’t know what to do. I started shaking. What was wrong with me?
“Why are you shaking Zelda?” Hannah asked. She walked over and started petting me. Her soft touch calmed my tremors and I allowed my eyes to close.
I woke up with no sense of how much time passed. I didn’t feel any better. Hannah was sitting in the chair across from me in the living room so I moved next to her and laid down. The movement caused my pain to worsen and my tremors returned.
“Zelda, what’s wrong?” Hannah asked. I looked at her and tried to convey my pain with my sad, listless eyes, because I knew she couldn’t understand my thoughts.
The next time I woke up Nate was home. He greeted me with a friendly hello and pet. I started shaking. I couldn’t stop myself.
“I think we should take her to the vet,” he said to Hannah.
“Me too,” said Hannah. “I’ll call now.” She walked into the other room and returned a few minutes later. “We have a four o’clock appointment.”
“Oh wow. We better get moving! ” said Nate. We loaded up into Nate’s car and I felt a glimmer of hope. I loved car rides and maybe we were going somewhere to make me feel better. When we stopped, I hurried to get out of the car. I sprinted towards the door, before I stopped dead in my tracks! I recognized this building. The last time I was here I left with six fewer teeth and an underside in pain. I was not going inside again. Nothing good happened there.
“Let’s go Zelda,” said Nate. I stood motionless. “C’mon, the vet is going to help you feel better.” I didn’t believe him, but I also didn’t have any other choice. I reluctantly followed Hannah and Nate inside.
The variety of animal smells overwhelmed me when I walked inside. Momentarily, I forgot why I was there. I let my nose guide me around the room until Nate and Hannah led me down a hallway into a room with a woman in a white coat. They started talking but I didn’t recognize many of the words.
“It’s okay Zelda,” said Hannah. Nate handed the white coat woman a bag.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes with a diagnosis,” said the white coat woman. Nate picked me up from the counter and placed me in his lap. I wanted this nightmare to be over. I laid down and closed my eyes until I heard the door open.
“Zelda has a tapeworm. I am writing a prescription to cure her. She will be back to normal in a day or two,” said the white coat. “Thanks so much,” replied Nate. The white coat said goodbye and left.
“Did you hear that Z? You are going to be fine.” said Hannah. I really hoped Hannah was right.
“We should call the tapeworm Gannondorf,” said Nate.
“What? Why?” asked Hannah.
“Because Gannondorf was the villain in the Zelda video games,” he replied.
“Oh yeah, I remember now.” Hannah turned to me, “Don’t worry Zelda, we will help you vanquish the evil tapeworm Gannondorf.” I didn’t recognize some of the words Hannah said to me, but I think I got the message. Hannah and Nate had a plan to save me from Gannondorf and then I would be back to my normal walking and playing pug self. We headed back to the car and returned home.
At home, Nate called me to the kitchen. When I walked into the kitchen, I smelled something delicious. I realized the smell was peanut butter as I approached Nate. I love peanut butter. Maybe that’s what would make me feel better!
Nate knelt next to me with peanut butter covering his finger. He signaled for me to eat it and I didn’t hesitate. The peanut butter was delicious. I was in heaven. But, then I noticed something small in the peanut butter. It was hard and tasted bad. I stopped licking the peanut butter.
“C’mon Zelda, you need to eat it, it will make you feel better,” said Nate. He slopped more peanut butter on his finger and called me over. I stared at him. I realized this may be part of the plan to save me from Gannondorf. I started licking and forced the gross food down my throat. I swallowed, drank some water, and reclaimed my spot on the couch.
I slept through the night and woke up with the sun in the morning. I slowly stood up and waited for the pain to return. Nothing happened! I walked to the other side of the bed and stood on Nate to wake him up. I felt discomfort, but nothing like the past few days. I licked Nate’s face.
“Okay Okay. Somebody must be feeling better.” he said. I walked to Hannah and jumped on her. She grumbled at first, but then petted me. “Do you want to go for a walk?” asked Nate. I ran to the front door.
“It’s good to see Zelda prevailed over Gannondorf the tapeworm,” said Hannah with a grin on her face. I waited by the door with squirrels on my mind. I knew one of my responsibilities as a dog was to protect Hannah and Nate- my owners. But, I’m glad they look out for me too.