Ever Lost A Dog

My first dog was a cocker spaniel called Lucky. My parents got her a year before I was born. Lucky was there when I was born and she was there when my younger sister Meggie and then our youngest sister Katie was born. Lucky was a great dog. She was a dog that gave dogs a good name. She effortlessly mastered the command my parents taught her. She came when we called and stayed when we told her to. We could leave her alone at the house for hours, confident she wouldn’t have an accident or disturb a thing. She walked beside us without a leash. She loved nothing more than riding in the backseat beside us on family road trips, content to spend hours gazing out  the window at the passing world. Whenever dad took his car keys or his wallet, Lucky would get up and start wagging her tail as if she understood that we were going outside. She was vey protective of me and my sisters. Relatives or friends would visit for the weekend and return home determined to buy a dog of their own, so impressed with Lucky. One day Lucky woke up all the house. She was barking and running to the door. We let her out into the garden and went out after her. Several minutes later she went back in. We were puzzled because she had let us out for nothing. Next day we found out that there had been an earthquake in San Francisco and Lucky sensed it. She was trying to get us out to protect us. When she died we were all devastated. She was 9 years old and I was 8 years old. Losing Lucky was like losing a pet to my parents but to my sisters and I, it was like losing another sister. She was a perfect dog. At least that’s how I will always remember her. It was Lucky who set the standard by which I would judge all other dogs. Have you ever lost a dog or has any of your friends or relatives lost a dog. Don’t hesitate to share it with me. Sharing painful memories helps. That’s partially what helped me move on.