First, a hug to you. To learn that this was inspired by an incident in your childhood is heartbreaking. No kind thoughts here for the person responsible for such cruelty.
Another hug for taking your painful memory and using it create a moving story.
You had my heart going out to the children, burdened with the responsibility of seeing to the remains of their pet without the aid of a parent, guardian or some adult while still grieving over her. Kids are strong, resilient and capable of more than adults credit them for but there are some things they shouldn't have to handle on their own. Especially considering the strength of the sinkhole.
Poor Donald, who has suffered the worst hell that I can imagine. You wove his feelings and memories well through the conversation and seeing to of Hortense's remains. It made his realization that he wanted to return home and be quit of his loneliness feel natural. Inner me hopes that when he returned home that the two comfort each other and try to heal.
Finally, a third hug to you. Because I felt like giving you another.
Hey, wonderful Brisby, I love your hugs. You're right, we weren't shielded as children. It was challenging. My mother tried to keep us safe and happy, but Lord knows she had a full plate. So much more than any one person should have to handle. We all turned out to be strong, stubborn people. That's the good part. But we do have stories :) A big hug back to you.