by Eva Musick
Dear Scarlet,
I can remember when mom brought you out to the car, sedated. The twins had been mean to you. But youd be safe now. I do remember that upon meeting your previous owner some years later you bit her. You were happy with us, not her.
Dad drove the car with you in the cage on the way home. I rode in the other car with mom. He looked back thinking you were Cocoa. Why did he look so strange? A different size and color? Wait there was Cocoa in the floorboard!
And so dad met you. He didnt like you at first. You didnt like men. So you two fought. Hate grew to love. You were his and he was yours.
Cocoa would be your only mate in life. So many puppies you brought into this world. Two sister-in-laws have one. And so does one niece. How faithfully you looked over them. As well as the kittens, you stole and actually started producing milk for! We let you keep that one. It wouldnt go back to its mother.
I remember the boy who had mowed laws all summer who came to our door to price his beloved Chihuahua that must be inside. But alas was $50 too short. And hed already fallen in love. What is money when love comes to call? So he received the only markdown we ever gave. Besides what would we do with a heartbroken puppy anyway? When he paid in one dollar bills I remember asking mom why. She explained. I didnt mind. I was still young then myself.
Pregnant when Cocoa died you almost died yourself. But when the puppies came you had a mission again. The runt was simply too small and weak, and cute to sell. So born and Sandys birthday we kept Tinker Belle. You outlived her as well, although she had a few years to her name.
We may have lost you then. Wouldnt eat, wouldnt drink. But then Satrena sent us Molly. She has been your beloved companion through and through. And then Molly had her puppies. Shes weaker than you so only 2 survived. Dusty and B.B. Well Dusty was too rambunctious for his own good and simply used up what life he had. B.B. thankfully was slower and waited to grow and gain strength before speeding up. I dont know what Id do without him. But of course you know that.
We werent the closest you and I. You were dads. But we were family, although I refuse to call you sister. I suppose I did not realize how much putting you down would hurt. But when dad said ok after your long suffering we had to. I cried in the vets office as you could see. And now really did you have to bite the vet? You didnt have any teeth.
Im sure you have them all now. As I am sure you are with Cocoa and Tinker. I only hope in her grief Molly does not soon follow you. B.B. hasnt noticed youre gone. Or perhaps he has and is simply putting on a brave face for me.
You were always the strong willed girl. Yet when we went to get takeout we took Molly with us. She wouldve made you proud. She protected us from this horrible man at the window who was getting our order from mom. When the lady came out to the car with the food however she didnt bark. I suppose she was thinking more of the food.
Well my dear one I suppose this is my final goodbye. Mom misses you already, as obviously so do I. Dad well hes dad. Holding up a strong front, perhaps breaking inside. Goodbye darling Ill miss you. In these past 13 years weve been close. And while loosing a pal from before I was 10 is hard, I know we shall be together again.
With love,
Eva Joy