October 1978 ----- July 1996
Mixed Breed
I found Gypsie when I was 15 years old.
My mother made me give her to a dog shelter to find her a home.
She was adopted but she ran away from her owners
and was picked up by the same dog shelter.
I was visiting and found her again.
I realized that this little brindle colored mongrel of 3 months
was meant to be my dog!
I brought her home again
and insisted that my mother let me keep her.
After many arguments and insistings
she finally let me.
My childhood was one of many ups and downs -
I had lived in shelters and on the streets
but after getting Gypsie I became more grounded.
She never left my side.
She slept with me and followed me wherever I went.
I taught her lots of tricks
like sit roll over shake,dance speak cuddle
and most importantly to walk at my heel.
I decided to go to college to study animal science.
Gypsie went with me.
I got an apartment off campus and Gypsie stayed by my side.
She knew the campus and the people and everyone knew Gypsie.
We traveled together too.
We went on buses to New York City.
I would put her in a large bag and tell her to be quiet.
She would! Once on the bus
she would stay in the bag
with only her head sticking out.
In NYC she would walk the streets at my heel.
She went everywhere with me.
Eventually I changed my major to education.
I am a teacher now!
I also got married and had three children while I had Gypsie.
She stayed by my side through thick and thin.
She taught me love devotion patience and kindness.
All of these things are with me today
as I teach my students and raise my children.
I now take in foster children in much the same way
I took in Gypsie.
Gypsie lived for 18 years.
She was blind and partially deaf
but still stayed by my side.
We finally had to put her to sleep.
She held on after she was given the shot.
Her heart kept beating.
She went to sleep but only after I told her it was O.K. to go.
We were so connected so intertwined
that she would have continued to hang on!
No matter how difficult her life was if I needed her.
Thank you for this opportunity to share -
I will go now and wipe away the fresh tears
I am shedding for my companion who is gone
but not forgotten.
Melanie
| Gypsie |
| Melanie |