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Chico
Born: September 28, 2007
Died: February 13, 2008
Chico, noun, the word is rooted in Spanish.
It means simply boy.
But to us Chico meant a whole lot more.
To
us Chico was a free-spirited and energetic
addition to our family who was always
happy
to see us, loved to sit on the couch
with
us and horn in between us whenever
we would
cuddle or kiss seemingly to be saying
"I'm
the Dog, Gotta love me!"
And loved he was from the sad eyes
he inherited
from his Shih Tsu mother Molly and
his Jack
Russell father simply known as Jack.
He was
born by cessarian section at Boone
County
Vet Clinic in Harrison Arkansas.
The largest of his litter he possessed
a
really big heart and an overflowing
supply
of energy and playfulness. His first
toy,
a little teddy bear was bought the
day he
arrived in our lives along with some
puppy
food and a long since chewed up collar.
As with most puppies he was a stubborn one
to house train. He always thought he was
a bigger dog by his proud gait as he would
prowl the house, chew on whatever crossed
his path and his vicious, fear inspiring
(sarcasm) puppy barks when we would stare
at him making eye contact.
His days were spent playing in the
back yard when we
were
working and not able to give him our
full
attention.
His last day was spent outside playing, exploring his curiosity and adventuresome
spirit. It was his furious childlike misunderstanding
of the dangers of the world around him led
to his demise. While we believed him to be
outside in the fenced back yard playing and
slipped through a gap in the gate which he had used time and time again to let himself in and out of the back yard and ventured too far out of the yard.
We were on the couch watching tv when we
heard his screams. I was the first to burst
through the front door in my sock feet to
rush outside to see his quivering body lying
in the street at the end of our driveway.
Chico had been hit by a car. My wife let
out an unsettling cry when she saw him, still
alive, trying to get up onto his feet but
was unable.
I gently picked him up and brought
him back
into our yard gingerly placing him
on the
ground. I sat with him during the last
moments
of his short life talking to him, petting
him and repeating over and over ...
"It's
ok Chico, we're here Chico, It's ok
Chico."
I think in some small way my words
gave Chico
some small degree of comfort.
The driver of the car or whatever it was
he drove came back appologetic for what he
had done, claiming he didn't see Chico all
the while being accused of driving too fast
through the neighborhood by a female neighbor
who lives across the street. I didn't even
look at Chico's killer. I can't even tell
you what he looks like. His appology barely
registered with me as all my attention was
focussed on the final breaths our poor little
dog was taking. I didn't even see the vehicle
that ended his life.
We were all deeply affected by the
loss of
such a young soul a much to early an end of this fragile and tiny life.
Although we only knew Chico for a short
time
he quickly wormed his way into our
hearts
and we know there will never be another
dog
like him. It is for this reason we
have chosen
to honor his memory in this manner
so that
others may remember our story and the
little
dog we will always love and remember
for
the quality of life he gave us.
We love you Chico, We will always remember
you.
Sierra, A New Beginning
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