This morning I woke up feeling great. Ran to the door and found my
best friend waiting for me. We went for our usual morning walk. My
friend does most of the talking, but I am happy just to be listening. My
best friend’s words are always soothing and comforting. After our walk,
we went back home and had breakfast together. I got kissed on my nose
and my best friend went off to work. Now comes my boring time. I walk
around the house making sure everything is safe and secure, then I just
lay on the couch or the bed or the easy chair waiting for my best friend
to come home.
Today is different. Night has fallen. My friend normally is home by now.
It is getting late. I’m starting to worry. I hope she gets home soon.
I’m starting to get hungry. You know I don’t care if I get to eat or
not. I don’t complain. Please come home. I miss you. I am so tired now.
Why is it getting light out again? This is so strange. I need to get on
the bed. I can smell my friend was here. This is where I feel safe.
Wait! I hear someone at the door-it must be her, No, it is someone I
don’t know. Who are you? Why are you coming in here? Are you going to
hurt me? Rob my friend’s home? What am I supposed to do? I know. I will
act mean. I will growl, bark, defend my friend’s home the best that I
can. They have just put a leash on me. They are trying to talk calmly to
me, but I don’t trust them. I will still act mean. I just heard them say
my friend's name and something about a fatal heart attack. Now I am in a
small cement barred area. This is not the food I normally eat. These are
not the smells I normally smell. I am so scared. I still need to act
mean. I know my friend must be trying to find me. I have been here for
about a week now. I hear people talking about me being aggressive. Wait.
They are opening my door. They are putting that leash on me again. My
friend must be here. Now I am in the exam room. Oh I see the needle
again. My friend always told me the needles will help keep me healthy. I
felt the pinch-this needle is different. Something is happening. I feel
very sleepy…where is my friend?
[Reprinted from Companion, Winter 2004, at 3 by permission of Amy
Shever, Director of 2nd Chance 4 Pets.]