Stray Dogs

I'm sorry about the wait, Mr. Edwards.

I have your paperwork right here.

We like to take care of these things in advance,

so you don't have to worry about it afterward.

You can choose whether you wanna do burial

or cremation.

Simply check whichever box you prefer,

and then sign there at the bottom.

Can I just take him home?

Um, I think that's against county regulations.

Let me check with Dr. Brown.

Will you excuse me for a second?

Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Edwards.

Dr. Brown said that that's not an option.

An animal that has passed can carry infectious disease,

and we're not allowed to...

to let you take him home.

Okay.

What do people usually do?

People go either way.

It's really up to you.

Personally, I like cremation.

You can get a nice urn, and they have cute ones

with a little paw print on the side.

And they don't cost too much.

I guess I'll do that.

Uh, and Dr. Brown will be back in a second.

Hey, there little guy.

How'd you get all the way out here?

Where's your collar?

Hello?

Anybody out here?

What are you doing out here, huh?

Sweet pup, where's your family?

I'm gonna miss you, little boy.

How are you doing, Mr. Edwards?

Okay.

Were you able to get a hold of your brother?

No.

We can reschedule if you'd like.

It's okay.

I want Travis to be here, but I...

I don't want him to suffer any longer.

If I woke up in the morning and he was dead,

I don't know what I'd do with myself.

I want him to go peacefully.

Okay.

No need to get up, we can do this here,

unless you don't wanna hold him when he passes.

No, I do.

Let's get this blanket underneath him.

There we go.

When loved ones pass,

they often release bodily fluids.

That's what the blanket's for.

And the first one

is gonna put him to sleep.

You'll see him put his head down.

He'll be completely out.

The second one will slow everything down

until his heart stops.

At this point, I'll check his heart rate.

He's gone.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

Take as much time as you need.

Oh, here, I can take him now.

Mr. Edwards, are you okay?

Wait, what are you doing?

Dr. Brown!

Mr. Edwards!

Mr. Edwards!

Jeff!

Jeff!

We can't let you take him home.

Please.

Shouldn't we call animal control?

Let him go.

Come here, buddy.

What are you doing out here all alone?

Hey, wait!

Ohh.

Ohh, oh, you like that, huh?

Oh.

Wait!

Where ya going?

Hey.

Hey there.

I have an unresponsive hiker down on Juniper Trail.

I need immediate assistance.

Come inside.

Why didn't you pick up the phone?

Just tell me what happened.

I had to put him down.

And if you gave a shit, you would've known

something was wrong.

That's not fair.

I needed you today.

- I'm sorry. - You're sorry.

He was old.

It was his time.

I wasn't ready.

Say something.

How'd it go?

How do you think it went?

I'm sure it was hard.

- But... - You could've been there.

Look, I said I'm sorry.

I don't know what else you want me to do.

I want you to care!

You're gonna make it up to me.

Fine.

I'll do whatever it takes to make things right.

You're coming with me to Juniper Falls.

- What? - We're leaving tonight.

- Jeff. - No, you said you're gonna

make it up to me, and that's what you're gonna do!

I can't just leave.

Take a couple days off.

That'll make it a four-day weekend.

- We'll be back by Monday. - It's not that simple.

I'm supposed to have the kids this weekend.

Are you coming or not?

No.

- No fucking way. - If you don't do this,

it's over.

You owe me.

Jeff.

Give me a few minutes, I'm gonna go get my gear.

Good mornin'.

Here.

I figure

we can make it to Lover's Leap by noon,

and we can do that, we should be good

to make it to Hidden Meadows by nightfall.

And day two?

Day two, day two,

we climb up the mountain,

up Wolf's Ridge, get there maybe around noon,

and head down to Spirit Creek,

follow it all the way to Juniper Falls,

where I found him.

And day three we head back?

Yeah.

Why don't we come back in the summer?

It's cold,

the ground is frozen.

What am I gonna do with my dog?

Stick him in a freezer?

No, it has to be now, okay?

Why now?

I can't explain it,

I just have a feeling in my bones

he belongs here.

All right, please.

Hey, Trav.

What's up?

Thanks for coming.

- You're my brother. - No, really,

- it means a lot to me. - Oh.

Don't worry about it.

Let's just get to Juniper Falls, eh?

That's what I'm talking about, huh?

Okay.

What, that's it?

- What? - Not gonna give me a real hug?

- I'm here, aren't I? - Why do you always do this?

You make me feel like I'm trying too hard.

- Can we just get back on the...? - Don't change the subject!

- What do you want from me? - Why does it take an ultimatum?

Why can't you just be there for me when I need you?

- Man, we got ground to cover. - We're not

burying my dog

without you being fully committed.

I'm committed.

What's wrong?

I need a minute.

Oh, my back's a little sore.

What's wrong with your pack?

He's heavy.

What's he weigh, 15 pounds?

18.

You have anything we can get rid of?

I didn't bring anything extra.

Hey.

How you guys doing?

Been better, you?

Doing great.

Something wrong with your pack?

No, we just brought too much stuff.

Is your back sore?

Yeah.

Maybe we can tweak the straps.

- Put more weight on your hips. - No.

I think we're gonna head back.

We're only a couple miles from the trailhead.

Don't give up now.

Do you mind?

Whoa.

What the hell do you got in here?