In the spring of 2003, a wonderful friendship began. One day during the springtime, my mom picked me up from school and told me that she had a surprise for me. I wondered what it could be. After we drove for awhile, she told me to close my eyes. My heart began to pound with excitement when I heard a tiny, joyous bark. I could not wait to see if the surprise was what I hoped it was. Mom told me I could open my eyes, and in a small fenced in yard was the most beautiful puppy I had ever seen. He was a tiny reddish brown ball of fur, with an adorable black nose and the biggest brown eyes. He had a fluffy tail that curled over onto his back. I leaned over and put my hand through the fence, wiggled my fingers, and he came running over to me. He nearly tripped over his too large puppy feet in his haste to reach me.
The moment my hand brushed that soft fur, I was hooked. It was love at first touch. I had waited and hoped for so long that I might get a puppy. I could hardly believe it was finally happening. I was ready to take him home and begin our new friendship together, but it would be ten days before the happy event would take place. He wasn’t quite ready to leave his mom yet. I understood this, but it was hard
to leave him when we had just met.
The next ten days seemed to drag on forever. I waited and got ready to bring him home. I bought all of the things I thought a new puppy needed. The days dragged by, and I was counting the minutes until it was time. At long last, it was time to go and get my new friend and bring him home. It was a day i will cherish forever. I had decided to call my new friend Bear, because he reminded me of a little cuddly teddy bear. Mom, Dad, and I went to pick him up for the ride home. He ran over to greet me when we got there. I carried him to the car and put him on my lap in the backseat. He sat there for the entire ride home. I felt like I was in a dream and was afraid I would wake up and my new friend wouldn’t be there, but it was real. I had a wonderful new friend at long last.
For over two years he and I went everywhere together. He became the best friend a kid could ever wish for. Bear was part Chow Chow and part Golden Retriever. I knew that someday he would get big, but I didn’t care if he grew to a hundred feet tall. He was my friend and that was all that mattered to me. We would walk around the community every day after school. I loved to walk him and see his reaction when he discovered something new and exciting. Bear loved to swim in the creek, play fetch, and wrestle in the backyard with me. It was the happiest time of my life. He was my best friend and I love him so much.
A little over a year after Bear became part of the family, we moved to South Man. At first I was excited at getting to move, but soon that excitement turned into sadness. Our new landlord said that we could not keep Bear after meeting the two foot tall dog for the first time because he was so big, and he didn’t allow pets in his yard because of the holes they dig. I was so sad. It was my mom that finally talked him into letting us keep Bear for a while to see if I was responsible enough to take care of him and keep him from bothering the landlord. My mom doesn’t like dogs much, but she knew how much he meant to me, and she promised the landlord that I would take good care of Bear and keep him from tearing up the yard. There was only one thing he would not change, and that was I had to keep Bear tied up or on a leash at all times. I didn’t like this, but I had to do it or lose my best friend. It worked for a while.
Bear and I had a great summer exploring the new neighborhood together. Before I knew it, summer was over. Bear had gotten so big. He weighed more than me at seventy five pounds. My parents wouldn’t let me walk him anymore by myself because they were afraid I would get pulled in front of a moving car and get hurt. I was never allowed to take him out by myself after that. I missed our time together very much. Bear still got exercise because my aunt and I would play fetch with him in the yard. It wasn’t the same, but I did the best I could to keep Bear healthy and happy. After a few months, I realized that Bear needed room to play and grow. It wasn’t right to keep him chained up all of the time. Bear needed freedom and as much as it hurt, I knew I had to let him go.
In December, I gave up my very best friend with the hope that he would live a long and happy life free of chains and leashes. My Dad and Mom found Bear a nice new home with a big yard for him to play in. I was glad of that, but my heart was broken. I did not think I would ever stop crying. My best friend was gone, and I did not know if I would be able to get over the hurt. I missed him so much.
I know I made the right decision and Bear is happy. I close my eyes and see him running around chasing butterflies without leashes and chains to hold him back. I think of him often, and hope that maybe he thinks of me too. Wherever he is, I hope he knows that I will never forget him and our wonderful friendship. He will be in my heart forever.
Bear I will always love you.
Love,
| Bear |
| Allie |