Dog

I once had a dog and the first day I got her I was so excited. Turns out from the first day I saw her I knew that it was the perfect dog for me. A little bit on the older side she was, but I didn't care. My dad had gotten her from a family friend because the dog was living in an apartment in a cage in the kitchen. So to help her out we decided to take in the dog so she could take some time to find a better home for her.

Her name is Chaco.

She's a black labrador and she was 9-10 years old already. In dog years of course. She was very old and somewhat frail, but looking in her eyes you could see the energy and vitality that she had. You should have seen her light up when her mommy came over to visit. Like when a father comes home from work to his wife and his 2 kids. They come running to him hugging his leg in that cinematic fashion. That's what I saw in that dog. I knew that this dog was something that I'd come to love and cherish.

That dog was so funny and loving. She'd patiently sit all day on the porch and wait for someone to get home. And when that someone got home, her eyes would open slowly and her ears would perk up a bit. She'd get up and slink over to the fence or the garage door to greet whomever that special person was. It never mattered who that person was. She was just glad to see someone come home and she wanted to say hello. And I loved coming home to see my dog. I can never forget the look on her little doggy face.

I rarely took pictures of my dog. Only a few here and there. The one you saw in the picture frame but there's another. I remember that day well. It was just me and my mom. A time when things were a lot simpler. Back when Chaco could actually go on long walks, we often took her on the weekends walking near the beach. And as she lay down in the grass, I had a digital camera for some reason. So while I was snapping a few shots, I took a few of my dog as well. Turns out, it was one of the best pictures I had ever taken. My dog staring off into the distance. Lying in the cool sand. Not a care in the world..

And I felt the same.
That was a time when I felt that nothing could go wrong. Just staring at the ocean and my dog and my mom next to me. Back when things were simpler and less complicated. This went on for a good while and at some point I just started giving Chaco less and less attention. Maybe it was because she was getting older or maybe because school was starting to get harder. But I should have just made some time to scratch her behind the ears. The spot near her tail that she loved to get scratched. Give her a good pat on the head. Just to reassure her that all is well.

Eventually, it came to the point where something had to be done. She looked miserable. Whenever she tried to get up, her legs would shake in pain. She couldn't hold her own waste in. We always cleaned up after her, but fact of the matter was she was getting old and she was a wreck. And it came to the point where we had to put her down. A quick and painless procedure. I wonder how that feels. Maybe it's like falling asleep. Just never waking up and never dreaming.

When she was finally put down, I remember that day like it was yesterday. I just had gotten home from school and I looked toward the same exact spot where Chaco would sit. And patiently wait for someone to come home. I remember I was in a rush, I had a project to do or a lot of homework or college apps or something but I didn't take much notice. I quickly went inside the house and thought nothing of it. That yesterday was the last day I'd see my dog ever again. It only dawned on me later. I think I remember telling you this. The time that I actually wanted to look at my dog and pat her on the head she wasn't there. It hit me like a freight train. The dog that I had for the past two years was no longer with me. I looked at her bed, her bowls, and anything that we had ever used with her. All those good times were encapsulated into those items.

But eventually, they disappeared one by one.
Except for one thing. The pictures. When I look on those few pictures, I remember everything about that dog. It takes me back a few years, to a simpler time. A picture is worth a thousand words. To me, those pictures sum up the entire time that I had my dog. And I wish she was a few years younger. I'd go right outside and pat her on the head, but that's not the case. And now when I look back on the time that I spent with my dog. I wish that I spent just a little more time with her towards the end.

Why am I thinking about my dog now? I really don't know, but I often I think about things that parallel my certain situation. And I can see how this relates to what happened over the past couple of weeks. But right now, I miss my dog. And I know for a fact that I miss you. I was pulling away because again I needed some time to myself to think things out and hopefully you'd realize that you'd miss me when I'm gone.

But then again I think my methods are a little too extreme. I know you miss my friendship. I know that you miss me. I know that you cried because of me too. I don't want to become another one of him. And I don't want to haunt you in your dreams anymore. Then again though, I don't deserve another chance at accomplishing those things to right the wrongs. You gave me one and I threw it back in your face to be honest. That's how I see it anyway.

Man I just realized that I sound like a broken record. I said this the last time around last week and you believed me. And I just let you down and hurt you. So I'm not going to make that mistake again. Cause honestly.. I don't know anymore. I'm just tired of hurting someone that I still love.

"In my head there's only you now."
Remember those picture you told me to delete?
I never did delete them cause I know.
You still nag at the strings of my heart.
Like a cat playing with a ball of yarn.
Like my dog playing with a yellow Penn tennis ball.
What'd I give to do it all.. again.
If time could roll back just a bit.
But then everyone would do it.
Lets make the best of what we have now.
I'm sorry I did this to you.
And kung hee fat choy.
Happy Chinese New Year.
Cause you know how much I hate Valentine's Day.
But yet again, I think how I spent another year without one.

I miss my dog. I miss the simpler times. I miss you.
See you Wednesday.