This is Chico.
We've had Chico for almost 11 years; my brother and I got him for our birthdays (He was turning 9 on November 29 and I was turning 7 on December 2 so we got Chico on December 5, I think it was). I almost can't remember a time when we didn't have Chico.
Chico died yesterday. He was almost 12 years old. I miss him so much...
Dear Chico,
It's hard to imagine that you're gone. You have always been such a solid part of my childhood -- a fixed and stable family member that always was there to listen even when you didn't understand. But your death is just another event to remind me that even friends don't last forever.
I will always remember every little part of your lovable personality: the way you chased Scruffy (our Maltese) up and down the dining room, the way you hung your head as if you were always afraid of being guilty, the way you wrestled with Seamus (our terrier), the way you hated to wear red ribbons at Christmastime but never complained, the way you rarely complained about anything, even in your last terrible days when you were so sick, the way you sat on Scruffy's tail and made him scream, the way my brother and I had to get our two friends to help us hang on to you when we were little and you wanted to chase after a dog, the way your tail waved like a flag when you were wandering in the backyard, the way your soulful brown eyes sparkled, the way you begged and shook hands and played dead on command, the way you loved carrots, the way you howled when someone prompted you by howling, the way you hated anyone to touch your stomach because you were so fat, the way you made beds out of random pieces of cloth lying on the floor...
Life will never be the same without you. I will always miss you because you were my puppy.
I love you, buddy.
-Clare
