By Dr. John Bates (at 12 years old)
Today I put my dog to sleep. It is March 8, 1976. I got her when I was 5 years old in 1961. She was so small and cute. The first time, when I brought her home mom was sick and lying in my bed. I set Spot down in my room and she ran over and licked mom in the face.
Spot never was much of a name for her but she never seemed to mind much. I didn’t have much of an imagination when I was 5 years old.
She was a small dog but she had more heart than an elephant and most people I know for that matter. I remember a fight she got into one day in Kansas City, A big German Shepard came up to her all arrogant and stuff and soon a fight broke out. There was nothing I could do about it so I watched and yelled. Spot got the worst end of it, I guess, but it was the German Shepard who backed off at last. She wasn’t hurt bad and I never forgot that gleam in her eyes.
That gleam in her eyes and fire in her heart dimmed a little each time we moved. Although I would refuse to admit it. At last she was having trouble walking and was in obvious pain. The gleam in her eyes had turned dull and the fire was burning very low indeed. She craved attention in her last days and everyone gladly gave all they had to her.
When I finally carried her into the vets office I was crying as much as she was. I think she knew what was going to happen. The first injection she largely leaned against me and I set her head down on the table and said Goodbye to the very best friend I have ever had in my life. She slept at last. I hope she understood why I did it.
This little bit of writing sure as heck isn’t much and may not seem fit but a greater injustice would be done trying to write more. I’ll never forget that little black and white dog with the 3 leaf clover on her butt. The memories are far to vivd and important for time to erase them. After 15 years of sleeping with her I have a feeling it will be a long night without her tonight. Darn it, I loved her!!!
Goodnight baby!!