For those of you unfamiliar with the Bible, the most famous Lazarus was a man who died and whom Jesus brought back to life. However, there is also another Lazarus in the Bible. This story takes its title from both of them, although somewhat indirectly.
This is a story for Al Forbes’ Sunday Photo Fiction.
copyright Al Forbes
Thief! Mutt! Cur!
These were the only names the dog had ever been called. Born to a mongrel mother in a nest of refuse, he was filthy an hour out of the womb and stayed that way his whole life.
But he was a survivor. He quickly learned where to find the best garbage and how to get into small, warm places to survive the Russian winters. One night, he wormed his way under the chain link fence of a large lab and through a door left ajar, where light and delicious smells were waiting for him.
“Ah! A stray!” Something shiny and round whistled through the air, the last thing the dog ever saw.
* * *
“Are you crazy? That mechanism costs more than your house!”
“It’s fine. See? No damage.” The scientist wiped the dog’s blood off the metal circle, then fitted it into the deep-space probe.
Years later, after billions of miles in the icy void of space, the probe was picked up, scanned, and the residual DNA aboard coaxed into life, tail wagging, bright eyes gleaming. The new species Dog lives there in peace and luxury, the countless millions of copies pampered like the original never was.
The Green-Walled Tower 
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Congrats on 400 posts 🙂
Such a sweet story. The poor dog at the beginning and then starts a new world where they never know hardship and pain. Fantastic story David
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Thanks. It made my wife very sad that the poor dog never had any comfort. Then she blamed me, like I was mean to him myself. 🙂
February 2nd, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Haha Tell her that sometimes one thing has to go through torment so that the descendants can have a peaceful life. It was a worthy sacrifice 😉
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:24 pm
In the end, despite suffering, victory. Good story.
February 2nd, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Great story! I also like the photo of the dog 🙂
http://www.awordofsubstance.wordpress.com
February 2nd, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Yeah, I was sad when the dog seemed to die. But to know that he was recreated and all the other copies know no hardship, that’s a wonderful thing. I feel so bad for so many animals that you see left to fend for themselves after we made them dependent on us.
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:06 am
this was amazing David, truly loved it! Most probably because I am a dog lover to the extreme 🙂
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:07 am
I like dogs too. I don’t think I’d want one as a pet, but if I was going to have any animal, it would be a dog.
February 3rd, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I dont have any chances of having a pet, before having a pet I will have to buy a house with garden 🙂
if i do that in future, i really doubt whether i will have the temperament of having a pet, they do need some care! I still am not happy with myself for leaving my cats behind, they were not my pet, ok, but they were a part of my life. 😦
February 3rd, 2014 at 1:01 am
My best friend Buddy McSpaniel gives this a paws – up ( or a high-five if you prefer )
March 25th, 2019 at 4:49 am
Love the idea of Paws Up. As if Siskel and Ebert came back to life as a Lab and Basset Hound. 😊
February 3rd, 2014 at 4:54 am
Great story, David. I am both a dog lover and a dog owner. The happy ending was satisfying indeed.
February 3rd, 2014 at 5:01 am
That was a very sweet tale, especially for you 😉
February 4th, 2014 at 3:46 am
Great ending.
March 25th, 2019 at 4:47 am
I really loved this. Save it for the collection you’ll publish. Love how it began biblically ending ala George Lucas. Even the picture is perfect. Congratulations on 400 essays. It’s admirable how you keep faithful to your art. Youes a writa’ alright. ✍🏻
March 26th, 2019 at 11:27 am
I’m glad you liked it. I should do a collection of my favorite stories sometime.
March 26th, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Yes you should since you have so many good ones.