An End an A Beginning

Very sweet

I'm a sucker for doggie stories. This was well done and well written. But the first fuck was too fast... needed a lot more buildup. Seemed cheap, rushed and too convenient. Kind of ruined an otherwise good story

Have to agree. The story was going well and suddenly it was coming across as a nearly anonymous fuck in an interstate rest area. Had plenty of potential for a bullseye but instead missed the entire target. Sorry just being honest.

Tearjerk Romance

I found the initial sex scene entirely believable and set up well. The author established that the two men were attracted to each other but had reasons they’d never pursued the attraction. Then they are thrown into a situation where their defenses are down and they both are in at least mild trauma. I find it completely human and real that they’d stumble into each other’s arms in just the way SR wrote it. Such a situation shouldn’t have build up, I don’t think. Then they pulled back a bit and came back to each other more slowly. Expertly done I think. Maybe you have to have experienced similar trauma to understood how two could unexpectedly and explosively come together like this. SR is quite adept of capturing real emotions and scenes such as this. Gay male romances seem rare with him, but he does them really well. Applause.

very sweet...

But I'm worried for Troy. He's going to get his heart broken. Julien is too self absorbed. It's not his fault, really. It's the grief. It consumes you and leaves you feeling helpless. BUT, Troy doesn't deserve to be dicked around, even if it's unintentionally.

Sweet but incomplete

I think some of the observations have merit. This was the first story I've read by you that didn't seem polished. You've spoiled us with quality and just a quickie seems lacking the depth we've come to expect from you. Otherwise, very much a legitimate evolution with mature men searching for companionship. It's surprising how these things overtake us. One minute it's business as usual and the next we're madly in love. Thank god.

Wonderful story

Sometimes we need a kick in the guts to jerk us out of our rut and make us see what's there for us. I think this is a great take on that reality. Well done

Loved it !!

I for one, found it caring and totally believable - a reaction to the death of a beloved pet I can completely relate to. I've been there.
As to the connection to his former boyfriend, it's also very likely to happen - they both had a shared love for Prince, so, because both his lover and now their pet are gone, he felt empty and miserable and lonely.
The fact that Troy already loved Julien from afar, taking the chance of making love was one of those opportunities life gave both of them, and being lonely and needy, of course Julien took it. It wasn't sappy at all, they both needed each other. I loved how Troy tried to heel Julien's heart with the new puppy. "You may cure the dog's bite with its fur", right ? With a new lover and a new pet ... I loved this story :)