I'll Miss You, My Friend

 

This past week has been a very lonely week for me. Oh, I was surrounded by friends and co-workers and people I have grown to love. But, one important "person" was missing. Jack. About two weeks ago, Jack started not being himself. He would visit and take his nap. But, he looked tired. His eyes were not sparkling. His tail wasn't wagging. Every day, when I talked to Jack's "mother," Sydney, she would tell me about something else she noticed about Jack. He wasn't eating like he usually does. He wasn't as active. Then, the day came when he started vomiting. The vet wasn't in town. He had traveled. So, Sydney doctored Jack as best she could. Now, he wasn't eating at all. And was very sick. Finally, on Friday, May 23, the vet had returned to Lawra. But, it was too late for Jack. There was nothing he could really do for Jack.

 

So, Friday evening, May 23, 2014, Jack died in Sydney's arms. I called Razak. He called someone with a pickax and brought him to Sydney's house so Jack could be buried. As I walked to Sydney's house, I could hear the eerie sound of the pickax hitting the hard earth A very nice grave was dug. Blue bunny was placed inside the hole. Sydney, very lovingly placed her best friend on top of his favorite bunny. Then, the eerie sounds of the dirt covering Jack. Sydney and I laughed and cried that evening.

 

Here, where I live, a dog is in the same category as a goat or a sheep. They are not household pets. They are guard dogs...or dinner. People don't understand these silly American women shedding tears over a dog!

 

I am not a dog person. But, I loved Jack.  I miss Jack. I look for him in the morning...he would come to visit. I miss him going to town with me. You get the picture. Maybe, the name of the Disney movie is true...All Dogs Go to Heaven.

 



Jack

Something is terribly wrong with me. I don't know what to do. There is no doctor in Lawra who can help me. I have totally gone out of my mind. (Some of you may think I did that a long time ago.) I have a grand dog. Yes, you read that correctly, I have a grand dog. And, he comes to visit. He has his own pillow, or, um, bunny to sleep on. I actually have bought him his favorite food, banku, to eat. And, I share my biscuits (cookies) with him as well as rice-a roni and other favorite American things to eat. Today, I threw him in the shower. He was NOT happy, but, he was filthy & I didn't want him in my house that dirty. Some days, he will rattle my door so I know he has come to visit. I will let him in, he will get a drink of water, then, go to my bedroom to take a nap. Afterwards, he will just get up and ask to leave. And, he will go to play with his dog friends. When he is here, and I need to go to town, he will run along side of my bicycle and walk next to me at market. Earlier tonight, I shared my water sachet with him, squeezing it so a stream of water came out. He lapped it like a dog drinks from water coming out of a hose! Right now, he is curled up on a towel by my feet, asleep.

Jack does have a "mom." She has traveled. Jack has been staying with his dog friends at Abraham's house. Sometimes, though, he just needs to visit his "Maakum." (Grandmother) So, I will let him in, spoil him small, and let him enjoy his visit.