Sunday, July 27, 2008

The Story of Chris

Chris was my all time favorite DOG. He was an American Cocker Spaniel. Golden. Mom got him as a Christmas Gift when I was in the 2nd Grade. He was the dog I grew up with. Everywhere I went on my bike or on Foot Chris was sure to go. He was not only my best friend with whom I shared all my secrets, he provided me with food (rabbit) when we were in the woods. He was an awesome hunter. I could point and he would catch it. Of course we also ate birds that I would get with the slingshot or BB gun.

Now Chris was supposed to belong to all 3 of us girls. But from day 1 he was mine. I fed him, watered him, walked him. Protected him from little kids that wanted to pull on his ears. I trained him and I let him sleep in my room.

Never mind that mom would come in when she got home from work and called him out. When I went to bed he was under my bed every night. He made the nightmares go away. After all how can the monsters get me when Chris was their?

On those days I did not want to go to school I would leave the gate unlocked. He would follow about 1/2 hour later and of course come straight to school and look me up.. The teacher of course would let me go to take him home.

He could run 20 miles or more in a single day while we were out. Me riding my bike - I carried water with us. You could just never tell. We would rest and if he got too tired he would ride on my bike with me.

Chris had a crew cut for most of his life. People always thought he was a puppy. Finally my 2nd year as a HS freshman our new dad decided we would be moving to Florida. Chris had to go to the pound.

My new older brother had a dog in Modesto that died of old age. I think he resented me and Chris. He drove us too the pound and when I found out he was too old to be adopted Gordon refused to drive us home.

I still cry every time I think of this betrayal of my best friend. I have never been able to forgive my brother - stepfather - or mother. The day before yesterday I woke up from a sound sleep crying. For crying out loud it's been over 30 years. I need to get over this.

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