She came to us at merely a month old , a gift from a friend. A dark brindle and white, purebred American Pit Bull Terrier. She spent her first night with us in my room. I placed her on a blanket we had folded on the floor, which was to be her bed. I then snuggled into my own bed, ready to sleep. Moments later i heard small cries that turned into mournful howls within a matter of minutes. I gently picked her up from the floor and onto the bed. She soon relaxed and fell asleep on my chest.
There were several animals in the peaceful southern California neighborhood we lived in. Cachuma spent her first months with Our next door neighbors' Datsun, several small poodles, cats (including my own which she considered her mommy) and even a hamster. She was very nurturing and treated them all as her own. Hearing the words "Look at the baby", her ears would perk and she circled around us, tail wagging, whining and sniffing the baby(animal or human) with concern.
I was born 10 1/2 weeks premature, and also had a lack of oxygen at birth. It has made my leg muscles weak and although i can walk a few steps with support, I use a wheelchair most of the time.
At the tender age of three months old, Cachuma began pulling my wheelchair around the neighborhood. Seeing that she had no intention of stopping, I began to work with her daily. Teaching her basic training combined with commands such as "watch your feet", "come closer", "stop" and most importantly, "slow down". I used the leash to guide her much like a rider would guide a horse. I had many spills out of my chair before this last command was mastered. I never let go of the leash when i spilled, Even when i did she sat at my side, sniffed me with much concern and a guilty expression, waiting untill i righted myself and was ready to go again.
I saw Cachuma as an equal. I talked to her In a normal voice tone as my friend and a partner. In time all i had to do was whisper a command to her or give a hand signal. We looked after and took care of each other, developing a very strong and unique bond.
She accompanied me everywhere i went. Not only for protection in our dangerous neighborhood, also because i loved having her near me. People had mixed reactions when they saw us together. Most loved her. Even the police officers at the football games would smile slightly and say hello. People would step in front of her, sometimes bumping her, she never hurt anyone. Unfortunately there was a dark side on our trips together. People would yell some very rude things to us. On a walk one day, someone said hi to me, then said, "Thats the ugliest dog ive ever seen".Whenever she heard comments like this, Cachuma looked at me. Her tail barely wagging head low, and the saddest eyes ive ever seen. I would pat her head and rub her ears, telling her not to pay attention, That i would take care of her and make sure nobody ever hurt her.
She was always there when i needed a hug or an ear to listen. whenever i was sad, i would talk to her and pet her. She would gently put her front paws in my lap, then on my shoulders so i could give her a hug. Once i calmed down, she would rest her head in my lap.
We were inseperable all through my high school years. A well-known pair around the neighborhood. At about age six, i was unable to take her with me as much as i would have liked due to developing arthritis in her hind legs. As it progressed i decided to leave her home more often. Not wanting to aggervate it futher. Although occasionally id take her on short walks down the block.
It was quite an adjustment for me getting used to going out without my companion. She was always there to greet me whenever i opened the door. I would pat her on the head, give her a hug, telling her id be back soon and to gaurd the house. As i shut the gate behind me, wimpers and howls filled the air. When i returned, she circled around me sniffing me to see where i had been. Making sure i was alright. I lovingly called it "Chumie inspection".
One day as i headed out, i noticed that Cachuma wasn't her usual self. It had been a few days since her last heat cycle had ended, and usually by this time she was recovered and back to her puppy-like self. I stayed awake the entire night, listening to her sleep. The next day i noticed that her abdomen was slightly swollen. I checked on her daily, she seemed very sad and rarely came out of her doghouse. I gently coaxed her out so that i could check her. her abdomen was so swollen,that she looked pregnant. Part of me hoped that this was true. That the baby Cachuma i had always wanted was inside her. However i knew that this wasn't possible. i recognized her symptoms from episodes of Emergency Vets i had seen. I suspected that she had an infected uterus, which if left untreated can burst.
When my mom came home from work later that day, i told her what i thought was wrong. She quietly dismissed my words and continued with the various home remedies she had been trying over the past few days. I continued to fight for my friend, as she lay in her doghouse, urging my mom several times a day to take her in before it was too late.
Three days had passed when my mom finally relented and decided to take Cachuma to the vet. By this time i was force feeding her Pedalite and water. When we arrived at the vet, she was rushed inside for x rays. When we were called into a small room to wait for the doctor, the x rays were already up. I took one look at them and my heart sank. Cachuma's uterus was clearly visible. It had swollen to nearly three times its normal size. The doctor arrived shortly after to explain the x rays, teling us what needed to be done.
As he spoke with us Cachuma was being prepared for emergency surgery. Her uterus was indeed infected, and leaking.We went home anxiously awaiting the call from the vet. He finally called that afternoon. Cachuma had made it through the procedure and was doing well, but had to stay in the hospital for a few days. I made plans to visit her the next weekend. Eventhough she was scheduled to come home soon after.
I slept very little while Cachuma was away. I spent most of my time trying to think positive thoughts and Preparing for when she came home. Two days before Cachuma was supposed to leave he hospital, we got a call from the vets office. I hoped that she was doing well enough to come home early. I called my mom at work and gave her the message. I didnt hear back from her so i took this as a good sign assuming all was well. When she finally came home a few hours later she told me that Cachuma's kidneys had failed suddenly and she didnt make it. She had already passed away when the vet called.
We decided to have her cremated, and bring her home. Remembering how she loved to be near us. and although its not the way i had hoped, im glad shes here with us.
I am still trying to greive and heal from losing the friend i have had since i was 13. There is now a huge empty space in my life. Now 24, with a heavy heart i go on. Thinking of her everyday as i work. Whether it be building websites or practicing photography. Knowing that eventhough i miss having her with me, she will go on as long as i remember her. Cachuma's legacy is seen in the hearts and lives of the people she has touched throughout her ten years. I tell her story to you so that you may carry a piece of her with you, and she will never be forgotten.
