Saturday, October 06, 2007
Sugar was there for us
Her name was Sugar, and she was my sister.
Sure, she was a cocker spaniel with a penchant for shedding on the furniture. But her presence in our home was as necessary as any human member of the family.
Sugar had her flaws. She didn't like meeting new people, was only 95 percent housebroken and loved chasing cars up and down the block.
But she was there for us, in every way that mattered. She was always ready to curl up on the couch after a long day. She was unfailingly protective, rising up like a wanna-be Doberman anytime a stranger came to the door. And when I left for college, I knew she would never let my mother feel like she had an empty nest.
When Sugar passed away at the age of 12, we grieved hard. Even now, I half expect to see her lying like a blonde throw rug on the living room floor when I go home. The house feels empty without her, and despite my mother's insistence that she wants another dog, two years have passed and she's made no effort to look.
I understand why. She probably can't imagine another dog trotting up the driveway or begging for scraps beside the kitchen table.
I know I can't imagine anyone taking my sister's place.
— Tamara Gaskin
