Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my lifelong friend, Lassie.
I remember the day I brought her home like it was yesterday. I was with my cousins (Tricia & Trinia) at their aunt's house. Her dog had a litter of puppies that were just old enough to be taken home. Now, I was born an animal lover, but when a seven year old is asked if he or she wants a puppy, it is a given that the answer will be yes. I remember Lassie was one of the smaller of the bunch, and I thought she was the cutest one so I chose her. Now all I had to do was convince my dad that I needed a puppy. I remember the phone conversation vaguely, but I know it was a long one filled with "we don't need a dog", "you won't take care of it", and lots of sighing and frustration. We all know who won in the end though. I am so glad that I did.
Now I'm sure when you all look at Lassie, you wonder to yourselves why she has such a name. The breeds in her genes were always a mystery, but Collie definitely was not on the list of maybes. Right around this time was when the movie "Lassie" came out, and I was all about that movie, being the animal lover that I am. My parents tried to convince me otherwise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, Lassie does not mean "Loyal Collie", it's another word for "girl". So that was her name, and somehow it fit her.
Six months later, Lassie gave birth to six puppies. Five males, and one female. I wanted to keep all of the puppies, but my parents put their foot down on that one. They were taken to an animal shelter, and I'm sure they found loving homes. They were so cute.
Growing up, Lassie was my best friend. I was always running around with her in the backyard, making obsticle courses and trying to train her to do agility. I taught her several tricks, but she was always a hard headed soul (much like her owner) and only did them when she felt like it. I remember I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, holding on to her leash and she would follow along side of me. Some of her favorite things were having her tummy rubbed, and chasing critters in the backyard.
The past few years, Lassie's age had really started to show. It has been a debate on whether to let her go or not. I had such a hard time making the decision because she would have really good days, and really bad days. Even until the very end she still had a little pep in her.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my parents telling me they could not find her, so I rushed to the house. We were looking all over for her when our neighbor, Susan, came outside with the phone to her ear. She told us the neighbor behind us found her dead in some brush in the back corner of the yard. I started crying right there. I started to walk back there to her, but I just couldn't make it. I didn't want to see her that way. My parents were nice enough to do the "dirty" work, and helped bury her.
I am sad to see her go, but in a way I am relieved. I am relieved for her, and a little for myself. Making that decision was not something I could handle. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of knowing this dog, and she will be missed very much.
Melissa Cotten
I remember the day I brought her home like it was yesterday. I was with my cousins (Tricia & Trinia) at their aunt's house. Her dog had a litter of puppies that were just old enough to be taken home. Now, I was born an animal lover, but when a seven year old is asked if he or she wants a puppy, it is a given that the answer will be yes. I remember Lassie was one of the smaller of the bunch, and I thought she was the cutest one so I chose her. Now all I had to do was convince my dad that I needed a puppy. I remember the phone conversation vaguely, but I know it was a long one filled with "we don't need a dog", "you won't take care of it", and lots of sighing and frustration. We all know who won in the end though. I am so glad that I did.
Now I'm sure when you all look at Lassie, you wonder to yourselves why she has such a name. The breeds in her genes were always a mystery, but Collie definitely was not on the list of maybes. Right around this time was when the movie "Lassie" came out, and I was all about that movie, being the animal lover that I am. My parents tried to convince me otherwise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, Lassie does not mean "Loyal Collie", it's another word for "girl". So that was her name, and somehow it fit her.
Six months later, Lassie gave birth to six puppies. Five males, and one female. I wanted to keep all of the puppies, but my parents put their foot down on that one. They were taken to an animal shelter, and I'm sure they found loving homes. They were so cute.
Growing up, Lassie was my best friend. I was always running around with her in the backyard, making obsticle courses and trying to train her to do agility. I taught her several tricks, but she was always a hard headed soul (much like her owner) and only did them when she felt like it. I remember I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, holding on to her leash and she would follow along side of me. Some of her favorite things were having her tummy rubbed, and chasing critters in the backyard.
The past few years, Lassie's age had really started to show. It has been a debate on whether to let her go or not. I had such a hard time making the decision because she would have really good days, and really bad days. Even until the very end she still had a little pep in her.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my parents telling me they could not find her, so I rushed to the house. We were looking all over for her when our neighbor, Susan, came outside with the phone to her ear. She told us the neighbor behind us found her dead in some brush in the back corner of the yard. I started crying right there. I started to walk back there to her, but I just couldn't make it. I didn't want to see her that way. My parents were nice enough to do the "dirty" work, and helped bury her.
I am sad to see her go, but in a way I am relieved. I am relieved for her, and a little for myself. Making that decision was not something I could handle. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of knowing this dog, and she will be missed very much.
Melissa Cotten
Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my lifelong friend, Lassie.
I remember the day I brought her home like it was yesterday. I was with my cousins (Tricia & Trinia) at their aunt's house. Her dog had a litter of puppies that were just old enough to be taken home. Now, I was born an animal lover, but when a seven year old is asked if he or she wants a puppy, it is a given that the answer will be yes. I remember Lassie was one of the smaller of the bunch, and I thought she was the cutest one so I chose her. Now all I had to do was convince my dad that I needed a puppy. I remember the phone conversation vaguely, but I know it was a long one filled with "we don't need a dog", "you won't take care of it", and lots of sighing and frustration. We all know who won in the end though. I am so glad that I did.
Now I'm sure when you all look at Lassie, you wonder to yourselves why she has such a name. The breeds in her genes were always a mystery, but Collie definitely was not on the list of maybes. Right around this time was when the movie "Lassie" came out, and I was all about that movie, being the animal lover that I am. My parents tried to convince me otherwise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, Lassie does not mean "Loyal Collie", it's another word for "girl". So that was her name, and somehow it fit her.
Six months later, Lassie gave birth to six puppies. Five males, and one female. I wanted to keep all of the puppies, but my parents put their foot down on that one. They were taken to an animal shelter, and I'm sure they found loving homes. They were so cute.
Growing up, Lassie was my best friend. I was always running around with her in the backyard, making obsticle courses and trying to train her to do agility. I taught her several tricks, but she was always a hard headed soul (much like her owner) and only did them when she felt like it. I remember I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, holding on to her leash and she would follow along side of me. Some of her favorite things were having her tummy rubbed, and chasing critters in the backyard.
The past few years, Lassie's age had really started to show. It has been a debate on whether to let her go or not. I had such a hard time making the decision because she would have really good days, and really bad days. Even until the very end she still had a little pep in her.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my parents telling me they could not find her, so I rushed to the house. We were looking all over for her when our neighbor, Susan, came outside with the phone to her ear. She told us the neighbor behind us found her dead in some brush in the back corner of the yard. I started crying right there. I started to walk back there to her, but I just couldn't make it. I didn't want to see her that way. My parents were nice enough to do the "dirty" work, and helped bury her.
I am sad to see her go, but in a way I am relieved. I am relieved for her, and a little for myself. Making that decision was not something I could handle. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of knowing this dog, and she will be missed very much.
Melissa Cotten
I remember the day I brought her home like it was yesterday. I was with my cousins (Tricia & Trinia) at their aunt's house. Her dog had a litter of puppies that were just old enough to be taken home. Now, I was born an animal lover, but when a seven year old is asked if he or she wants a puppy, it is a given that the answer will be yes. I remember Lassie was one of the smaller of the bunch, and I thought she was the cutest one so I chose her. Now all I had to do was convince my dad that I needed a puppy. I remember the phone conversation vaguely, but I know it was a long one filled with "we don't need a dog", "you won't take care of it", and lots of sighing and frustration. We all know who won in the end though. I am so glad that I did.
Now I'm sure when you all look at Lassie, you wonder to yourselves why she has such a name. The breeds in her genes were always a mystery, but Collie definitely was not on the list of maybes. Right around this time was when the movie "Lassie" came out, and I was all about that movie, being the animal lover that I am. My parents tried to convince me otherwise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, Lassie does not mean "Loyal Collie", it's another word for "girl". So that was her name, and somehow it fit her.
Six months later, Lassie gave birth to six puppies. Five males, and one female. I wanted to keep all of the puppies, but my parents put their foot down on that one. They were taken to an animal shelter, and I'm sure they found loving homes. They were so cute.
Growing up, Lassie was my best friend. I was always running around with her in the backyard, making obsticle courses and trying to train her to do agility. I taught her several tricks, but she was always a hard headed soul (much like her owner) and only did them when she felt like it. I remember I used to ride my bike around the neighborhood, holding on to her leash and she would follow along side of me. Some of her favorite things were having her tummy rubbed, and chasing critters in the backyard.
The past few years, Lassie's age had really started to show. It has been a debate on whether to let her go or not. I had such a hard time making the decision because she would have really good days, and really bad days. Even until the very end she still had a little pep in her.
Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from my parents telling me they could not find her, so I rushed to the house. We were looking all over for her when our neighbor, Susan, came outside with the phone to her ear. She told us the neighbor behind us found her dead in some brush in the back corner of the yard. I started crying right there. I started to walk back there to her, but I just couldn't make it. I didn't want to see her that way. My parents were nice enough to do the "dirty" work, and helped bury her.
I am sad to see her go, but in a way I am relieved. I am relieved for her, and a little for myself. Making that decision was not something I could handle. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of knowing this dog, and she will be missed very much.
Melissa Cotten
