"Farewell"
I still remember waking up at a morning of a weekend in 2017 (Specifically, October 22nd), when I heard some crying coming from outside. I couldn't find where it came from, until I looked at a box that we had, and I saw you, a very tiny puppy sitting in there. You probably didn't understand what was going on, but I stayed there all day, playing and trying to comfort you, which I assume worked, because you stopped crying after a while and became more attached to me petting you, just like I became attached to you.
I saw you grow up over the years, from a tiny, shy puppy to a medium sized dog, that was always ready for anything. From your first vaccines, to your first park visits, I saw you become an entirely different animal, in a good way.
My family... Didn't really like you, for the most part. But I didn't give a damn about it, you mean a lot to me, and I always tried to give you the best days I could.
In my lowest moments in life, just being with you helped me feel a lot better, you brightened my days in a way I couldn't believe!
I always loved playing with you, may it be with trying to tickle you, or with some tennis balls, or even worn out soccer balls... I still remember you being able to grab the latter somehow, it was very funny whenever it happened.
Whenever Christmas and New Years Eve came by, I stayed with you all the time I possibly could, comforting you, trying to cheer you up, until the fireworks went away and stopped bothering you. You were very stressed by them, and yet, when I was with you in those moments I could see you moving your tail like you would when you were happy. I hope I was doing something right there.
You always tried to seem tough to strangers passing by on the street, but deep down I knew that you were the sweetest dog I ever knew.
This was only half of your life, I couldn't wait to see what the other half would be like.
...
Exactly 1 year ago, you went missing, we couldn't find you nowhere in the house nor the street. As soon as I noticed, I went out trying to find you. And I did, I saw you... some blocks away next to the street, lying down on the floor. I tried to wake you up, but you didn't react, so I ran as fast as I could to my home, trying to get my mom to help me wake you up.
My mom didn't reply, she just stared at me with a sad, fearful face.
That's when it hit me.
I locked myself into my room, I was heartbroken, I was emotionally destroyed from what was a normal morning, I was crying, just like I am again while writing this. I was aware that some day you wouldn't be here anymore, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon, you had another entire half of your life left, but it was stripped away from you.
Lately I'm always feeling like I'm guilty of causing this somehow. Did I not keep an eye on you at all times like I should have? Did I leave the door open for some reason the day before? In what thing did I go so wrong for this to have happened in the first place? I have no idea, but I feel like I could have done so much better.
Andy, wherever you are, I know that we didn't have a proper goodbye, but I hope that you know that I always have and will love you, you mean a lot to me, you changed my life, you always cheered me up when you were there, you were a fantastic dog, with a heart of gold.
It hurts to not have you here anymore, even if my family skips over your life nowadays, I'll keep remembering your existence until the day I die. And hey, in the day that happens, I hope to see you again, maybe we could play "Chase the Ball" or something again, but I just want to see you being you.
Farewell, Andy.
-Clover.