Kayla

I had the privilege to spend my adolescence with this beautiful girl by myself. Any 7 year old has the dream of owning a dog, but it was the job of my parents to make it become a reality. On Christmas morning, 1996, Santa made a very special visit to my house and left me something under the tree that would change my life forever. "But mom, I wasn't even that good!!" I said, completely in awe that they'd even consider something that involved the slightest bit of responsibility. She was my dog, all mine. She taught me to love, learn, listen, and most importantly, to be responsible. In the blink of an eye, it was my turn to go away to college, the first in the family so I couldn't let anyone down. As much as it hurt me to leave her, I knew she was in good hands. I'd come home frequently to visit her, even my parents would bring her up to see me. But soon enough she lost all spunk, and each time I said goodbye I couldn't help but think "this may be the last time". Spring semester came around, my junior year in college, that time had come. I was away, and unable to be there for her. It broke my heart to lose her, but in the back of my head I know she went because she didn't want me to see her suffering. She will always be remember. rip Kayla