This is a really beautiful fic. :') I cant describe how beautiful it is with words, it's that great. I keep on holding my breath so that I wont squeal out loud to the fluffiness djdlslslck ;;;Thank you for sharing this fic with us readers 3

Hello! First of all, allow me to apologize for catching up with WIB fics only now. I know this review is really late and really overdue. (cough)

This was really, really heartfelt. I could definitely see the transition, especially on Rinoa's part, since the first part of the story was from her point of view. I can definitely imagine her selling lemonade to get what she wants. That, along with Squall's introduction in the middle was all represented well. It's so heartwarming to see how the pets could change Squall and Rinoa a lot, and how it has inspired them to pass this down to their children. (That, and the names you chose for them are simply adorable.) Also, the "I just love you, too" part makes for a good end.

I say, it doesn't matter how many mistakes one commits - at least you tried. (And your story a lot longer than mine, for a oneshot!) Good job on this one! :)

I apologize for taking so long to getting around to reading this story. I'm still trying to catch up with the WiB submissions while fighting a dying computer to get my next challenge story typed up.

This is a beautiful story. You had me in tears a little at the end. I have had dogs since the day I was born. I couldn't imagine my life without a dog in it.

I thought this story had such a wonderful message. This line stood out the most to me, "She wants him to know, though, that even if he was still that cold and hard boy she would just love him anyway. Without demands or expectations. Just love." I feel like my generation has so many demands or expectations that we put on people, that it becomes difficult to just appreciate and love one another for who we are.

This was just a very lovely story and I'm so glad you took the time to write it. Also, I know a number of people who participated in the WiB challenge have some artistic ability. I do believe someone needs to do Squall running a lemonade stand on the Quad, immediately! lol

Am I glad that you decided to write this in English; it would've been too bad if I couldn't read something so beautiful. I've never had a dog, but I can imagine that it can change you, for the better. I think you showed that in a very original way. Thank you for writing this!

This is a beautiful story and very fitting for the challenge. Love the idea of 10-year-old Rinoa selling homemade lemonade and cookies!

I lost my last doggie seven months ago (my other two years ago) and could really, really relate to this story, especially the end where Squall then wants a puppy for his unborn daughter. I have two little boys and wanted the same, but instead decided to travel for a few years, blah, blah, blah, but anyway, Squall's right. Dogs certainly change you!

I loved this story. Truly loved it. I loved seeing Rinoa as a little (and quite industrious) girl working towards her goal. I loved how she waited for the perfect dog...even six years. And I loved how Squall then became a fixture, or added attachment to her and Angelo. Beautiful.

I have to say I'm really impressed also by your ability to write this in English. You did an amazing job for it not being your first language. Actually, I'd consider it an amazing job even if it HAD been your first language. Truly, this was a lovely piece to read.

Thanks!

I lost my dog recently and it’s stories like this that make it possible to start the grieving process. You have captured the good times and sacrifice we’re all willing to make for our ‘four legged babies’. It’s the way you put into words the importance of losing a family member (not pet, but *family*) that not everyone will ever comprehend. In your own way, you’ve helped bridge that gap in understanding.

What you’ve managed is to demonstrate the power of an animal - not only do they bring comfort, but you showed something that no amount of money could ever buy - unconditional love. It seems you’ve gone through a lot, I feel as if you put a lot of yourself into this story.

Just know your story was beautiful; you have a way of showing complex emotions in simple ways – words, touches, and actions. From showing Rinoa’s determination for wanting a dog: to her saving all her money and going against her father – to waiting for the ‘perfect’ dog. She would know it when she saw it; picking the first dog she saw wasn’t a rash decision just to defy her father - it was truly a thought out process which lasted years.

What also stood out was that she was fighting for Angelo no matter what. Her passion and love for her ‘furry family member’ never waned; instead, it spread to others around her – most likely from Zone and Watts, to Squall, and finally their children. The relationship between Squall and Rinoa felt natural, it was growing along; the way she opened up to him and his determination in making her and the children happy. It was beautiful.

I mean all of this in a great way Alessia, I’m glad you decided to expand in to English. Each of us appreciates what you’ve done for the community and I’m so glad I can finally read your work and know it’s just as wonderful as you are. I hope to see more translations in the future; you know you have a huge supporting network.

Thank you for everything.

Kris [Ashbear/Eternal Tiet]

Very nice story. so sweet, and i love how you showed Rinoa's determination to get a dog, then later how Angelo's unconditional love to her family helped Squall to understand the nature of unconditional love, something pets, dogs especially, excel at. Also very sweet how Angelo essentially becomes the canine nanny to Squall and Rinoa's children. I enjoyed this.

I really enjoyed this. Every part of it from beginning to end felt genuine and natural. I could definitely see these things happening in the FF8 universe. The way you showed the evolution of the characters over time was great too. Thanks!

I thoroughly enjoyed this from the start all the way to the end. Squall and Rinoa are wonderful in this and I love how everything fitted together.

I LOVE this. I think the writing is absolutely brilliant-if I didn't know, I never would have guessed English was not your first language. There is just so much feeling here. I love the way you write Rinoa as a child-I can absolutely see her doing that; so defiant and with an independent streak a mile-wide. I really love the emotion in this story, though. The bond with pets, and I think that you write post-game Squall so well. The way they speak to each other and they way Squall interacts with their son and future-daughter is beautiful and so genuine. This is a wonderful story, and a wonderful submission to this challenge. Thank you!

Alessia, this was wonderfully beautiful. :)

I've never had a dog in my life, but the sheer importance of Angelo in Rinoa's life makes me feel as if I'm missing out on something. I absolutely love how you staged each part of Rinoa's life leading up to her second pregnancy and how much Angelo's presence (and absence) has had an impact on her.

I have to say, I'm sad to hear this is your first English story. Because if you do not write any more in English, you are denying us of such gems. ;)

Great work!

This was just utterly adorable.

I love how you provided the insight and back-story to Angelo and how she grew up with Rinoa, and how close you made them seem. Angelo wasn't given much history to work with in the game, so I'm glad that you wrote about it. I also love how you tied lemonade into the story, an image of Rinoa selling the goods is really cute. xD

Great job on this! :)

Wow, great writing. Having a dog or pet really helped them at all considering being part of their lives and how she changed them. and Squall being a daddy is so cute and how lovable he is to Rinoa sharing their painful experience when it comes to animals

slkdhgdfh, I can relate to this story so much. I lost my childhood dog when I was in high school, and I had been badgering my parents for years to get another, but nothing ever worked out because my mom takes the death of pets so hard and my dad doesn't want to deal with animals. I love dogs so much, and working in a pet store where people come in with their dogs didn't help me miss our old dog any less. Then, really after just being in the right place at the right time (fate!), I met a family who was looking after an abandoned neighborhood stray, and I felt that connection that you described when I first met her. We decided to adopt her though my dad was pretty adamant against it. She was pretty worse for the wear, and we basically had to rehabilitate her, starting from scratch. You're exactly right when you said they can teach you so much by loving you. She's the best dog I could ask for and is so attentive, loving, and just always wants to be around her people. I can't believe how much she loves us. All she needed to become who she is today was just some love and TLC. I feel like she's the Angelo to my Rinoa, haha.
I'm so sorry you lost your dog, I know how devastating it is. This is a beautiful tribute to what dogs give us, and I thank you 3