Egilborgbromee

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

SCP-XXXX

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be contained within an area of 5x5m by a steel-wired 2m high fence. The containment zone must be outside, built on a flat, cemented surface and contain a shelter, a selection of dog toys and 2 steel bowls.

The day-to-day procedures for containing SCP-XXXX are to be carried out by no more than one individual, henceforth referred to as SCP-XXXX-A, supported by no more than one individual, henceforth referred to as SCP-XXXX-B. SCP-XXXX-A and SCP-XXXX-B must attend a three day course in Proper Canine Care¹. SCP-XXXX-A must, at the largest extent possible, perform all containment procedures alone, assisted by SCP-XXXX-B only when necessary. If/when SCP-XXXX-A is deemed permanently unable to continue the containment procedures², SCP-XXXX-B will be promoted to SCP-XXXX-A and a new SCP-XXXX-B will immediately be vetted.

SCP-XXXX must:

• Have access to a steady supply of freshwater, exchanged daily.
• Be provided 340g dry-feed daily at 9:00 and 19:00.
• Stimulated with the recreational devices available when needed.
• Be leashed and taken on walks lasting no less than 40 minutes daily at 7:30, 13:00 and 21:30. Leash for the walks is to be collected from a designated security officer and returned immediately once the walk is over. There will be no access to leash in-between walks.

The item is to be observed for any additional needs that might arise. It is the responsibility of SCP-XXXX-A to ensure their fulfillment, contacting their supervisor for additional resources if required.

SCP-XXXX-A will be submitted to weekly psychiatric examinations wherein routine risk-assessment will be performed. If the psychiatrist deems it necessary, SCP-XXXX-A will be immediately relocated to a secure on-site apartment under continuous surveillance devoid of any hazards.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a 56 cm tall adult male labrador retriever weighing 35kg. The coat is exclusively black. It possesses no external qualities that would differentiate it from a normal specimen of the popular dog-breed. However, any person handling the item will become increasingly attached to it to the point of obsession. Affected subjects will start to neglect their own needs in favor of the item, resulting in diminished hygiene, insomnia, loss of inter-personal relationships and reduced appetite. Subjects affected are unaware of SCP-XXXX's role in their condition and will hold the item in high regard no matter what

Addendum 1: The letter

For whoever it may concern,
I need to write to you about Rufus.

The breeder never elaborated on why we got him so cheap, but who were we to argue? Rufus was a lovely young lab that seemed healthy enough, and a true bargain. Samantha missed having a dog since ol' Suzie's passing, and I really hoped this would bring her back on her feet. With time, the excitement eventually wore off. Her absence at school continued to grow and she became increasingly withdrawn. She never told me what bothered her, and it hurt that I couldn't help her. It must have done her some good taking Rufus on all those walks - but still, I felt her slipping.

In Joel I found no support. I tried talking to him about our daughter but he never seemed to listen. Why couldn't he step up his efforts for his own child, wasting away in front of our eyes? He just sat there in silence as I vented my frustrations. When all that remained of me was tears, he usually just nodded and took Rufus for a walk. I felt invisible to him.

The months passed without improvement. Eventually I managed to get Samantha to a psychiatrist. He gave her some pills - I hoped to God they would work - and a new appointment the next week. I allowed myself to hope for better times. That weekend I did my best to get through all the chores I've let slide. Getting Joel out of my sight was a relief - he had taken Rufus hunting. I thought it could bring him back on his feet. It was nice to see him determined to get out for once. Ever since he lost his job he had become nothing but a burden at home.

That Sunday, a man rang at the door. He had found Rufus running by the road, and located us by checking his microchip at the vet. I called Joels hunting friends to hear what was going on. They hadn't heard from him in months. We got the news the very next day. I barely remember the following weeks. The shock didn't pass until long after the funeral. Picking my life back up was impossible - I was stuck in my grief. Samantha never improved from the pills she got. I didn't even think about her follow-up until the invoice arrived. I just put it in the pile. The doctor said it was good that I found her when I did, but I never could forgive myself for what happened. The guilt pounded my head, numbing me. They said she had to be moved to institutional care.

Every night I prayed to the Lord for strength. Dark, sinful thoughts swirled on my walks with Rufus. That final call from the institution broke me. The urge to give up was hard to resist - but this test of faith must have been for a reason. I imagine meeting them once again, standing at the pearly gates. And thanks to the mercy of Christ, that moment may be coming sooner than I'd dare to hope for. With this sickness, I can finally have my rest. I'm writing this to show what we’ve been through, and that he was there by our side, no matter what. No matter the hardships, he never let our pain bring him down. The Lord works in mysterious ways. And I thank Him for bringing this precious creature to us in our time of greatest need.

He was too pure for us. May he find a new home, full of love. God knows he deserves it.

All my blessings,
Esther

Footnotes

1. Personnel performance been found to not statistically differ between psychological profiles, thus proving the previously mandatory psychological screening requirement redundant as of revision 2.3.

2. Reasons including (but not limited to) stupor, death, severe brain damage, psychosis or any other loss of (for containment procedures) necessary motor and/or intellectual functions