“I’m sorry, Pinkie, I’m afraid the prognosis isn’t promising.”

Doctor Fauna lowered her clipboard, her eyes locking onto Pinkie Pie. She could tell that Pinkie wasn’t even close to formulating a response, instead electing to stare down at her beloved pet and give room to the veterinarian to continue. Clearing her throat, she did just that. “Um, yes. So the results came back from our oncologist. I’m afraid that Gummy does indeed have several masses.”

Pinkie patted her alligator friend on the head, finally turning her attention to Doctor Fauna. “Are they…?”

Doctor Fauna frowned. This wasn’t the kind of news any doctor liked to give, but the fact that it was in regard to a creature that didn’t even know of its own mortality added a special sort of emotional weight to her words. “Yes. They’re cancerous.”

“Oh…”

Doctor Fauna watched as Pinkie leaned down, wrapping her forelegs around Gummy’s neck in a tight embrace. “Pinkie, I’m sure you know that I absolutely hate having to break this kind of news. But… I do need to let you know what kind of timeframe we’re looking at.”

Pinkie didn’t move a muscle aside from her jaw as she spoke, “Go on, it’s okay.”

“The current outlook is two months. Maybe three if you limit Gummy’s physical activity. Stress can lead to cancer spreading faster, so the best thing for him right now is lots of bedrest and care,” Doctor Fauna explained. When Pinkie didn’t respond after a few moments, she sighed. “Pinkie, I’m so sorry. I know how much you love Gummy.”

“You have nothing at all to be sorry for,” Pinkie assured her. Seeming to perk up for just the briefest of moments, she sent a warm smile towards the vet. “If it weren’t for you, Gummy wouldn’t have lived as long as he has. You’re the best vet in all of Equestria!”

“I really appreciate that,” Doctor Fauna said, her cheeks warming up at the compliment. Turning heel to leave the room, she called back to Pinkie, “I’ll give you two a few minutes.”

The door clicked shut as she exited the exam room, leaving Pinkie Pie alone with Gummy. Many thoughts raced through her mind as she stared down at her pet. His eyes, as big and wide as ever, stared blankly back at her. Other ponies may not have understood the love she had for her alligator, but it was something Pinkie Pie never once questioned.

“I love you, Gummy.”

Gummy blinked in response, and Pinkie Pie smiled down at him. The emotions she felt were overflowing, but she had to be strong for him. After all, he didn’t know what was going on. Pets never did.

“It’s not fair, though,” Pinkie spoke, tears slowly welling up in her eyes. “Why do we ponies get to know how long we have left? How long we have left with you? You don’t get to know when you’re going to… well, you know.”

Reaching her hooves out, she picked up her friend and hugged him tightly to her chest. His cold scales always felt so comforting, and she could feel herself melting into the embrace. Wet trails of fur down her cheeks formed as she began to cry.

“Oh, Gummy, I really do love you. You’ve always been there for me, so now I have to be there for you, too! I know it might be tough, but if anypony is up to the task, it’s Pinkamena Diane Pie.”

Extending her hooves outwards, she held him in the air and stared at him. His tongue suddenly shot free from the confines of his mouth, latching onto her cheek. Ever so slowly, it ran up and then retracted. Pinkie Pie giggled.

“Oh, I love you too, Gummy!” She exclaimed. “I’ve loved you ever since I found you when I was just a little filly. I remember how shocked the Cakes were when I brought you home, and the weird looks everyone gave me as I walked around with you biting down on my tail. But you remind me a lot of, well, me! You’re goofy and know how to make anypony feel better.”

Leaning forward, she planted a smooch on the end of his nose. Still, it didn’t quell the stream of tears that were freely flowing forth from her eyes.

“I think about you all the time when I’m not out with my friends or organizing parties. After all, you’re not just my pet. Y-You’re my b-best friend…” Pinkie said through choked sobs.

The door swung back open, and Doctor Fauna trotted into the room again. She managed a smile this time as she saw Pinkie Pie holding her pet at foreleg’s length. “I see you two have had a chance to talk, I do hope I’m not interrupting,” she said.

“Oh, not at all!” Pinkie said. “I was just telling Gummy how much I love him.”

“One thing I can promise you, Pinkie,” Doctor Fauna said, trotting over and patting Gummy on his head, “is that this little guy already knows. Sometimes the connections we form with others, even pets, transcend the need for words. You’re the most energetic and caring pony I’ve ever met, so trust me when I say he knows.”

“Oh, I know he knows,” Pinkie Pie said with a nod, pulling Gummy back towards her chest and planting a kiss on the top of his head. “But one thing I always try to remember is you can never tell somepony that you love them too many times. Sure, they might already know, but sometimes a pony just needs that reminder to keep them going during a rough time.”

“Well, I know for a fact that, no matter what happens, you’ll make sure Gummy knows just how much you appreciate him.”

“Mhm!” Pinkie Pie agreed. “Now, I think it’s just about time he and I get home. I’ve got a great idea for some cupcakes that’ll help both of us perk right up!”

“Well then let’s head up front so I can get you checked out, Pinkie,” Doctor Fauna said with a smile.

Pinkie nodded, looking back down to Gummy. No matter what happened in the future, all that mattered was that she had spent the past with him, and the impact they’d left on each other would never be forgotten.

Author's Note

Written in honor of my beloved dog, Ruth. I'll love you forever, honey.