Thirteen years ago, I met a sweet little furry friend named Lucy who began to fill my life with so much love and joy (and even more dog hair). Lucy and I had an instant bond and the story behind it is not your typical 'Girl Meets Dog' story.
It was summertime and my Mom found sweet little Lucy walking around on a neighbors driveway. It was raining outside so my Mom brought the wet little pup into our warm home where she got dry and hung out with our beagle named Hank. We checked her collar and called the number of her owner. No answer. We kept calling and calling but still were not getting an answer. In the meantime, Hank and Lucy got along very well and I remember being overwhelmed with how cute she was, like I could have eaten her, she was so cute.
After hours and hours of having her in the house, we finally got a call from a woman who stated she was Lucy's owner and she was in town from Florida visiting her daughter who was having her first baby. She had been in the hospital all day which is why she never got back to us. Lucy must have gotten out and randomly wandered over to our neighborhood. Eventually, when she was done at the hospital, she came to our house and picked Lucy up. I was sad to see her go but I also felt lucky to meet such an adorable little doggie.
Then, the next morning, my Mom went to leave for work and there was little Lucy--sitting on our front porch wagging her tail, looking at my Mom like, "I'm back!"
I was still in bed. Lucy came running up the stairs, slid into my room and jumped on my bed and I was being woken up with sweet wet kisses. My Mom called her owner, let her know that Lucy got out again and assured her that Lucy would be safe at home with me. I probably just sat and talked to Lucy all day telling her how cute she was and letting her lick my face.
This went on for about four days. Lucy would get out in the morning, come to our porch, hang out with me. Then at night, her owner would come and get her. I was falling in love with little Lucy. I remember being amazed at how cute and precious she was, she would sleep in a little ball next to me weighing all of maybe seven pounds.
One day I came home after playing in the pool all day and my parents sat me down and asked, "If you could have anything in the whole wide world what would it be?" Lucy was on my lap and I was petting her and I said, "for Lucy to be my dog forever." I remember being so surprised when they said "Ok. You can keep her."
Apparently her owner saw how much I was growing to love Lucy and was enjoying our summer days together, not to mention how well she was getting along with our dog Hank. She told my parents that if they wanted to, I could have her. She was sad leaving her behind (I cannot stress enough how stinkin cute Lucy was) but I do think she noticed the bond that Lucy and I were creating.
My brother was away at Boy Scout Camp (he has a girlfriend so it's okay that I say that publicly) and when he got home, we had to tell him that we had gotten a new dog, which wasn't like our family to do. Clearly, Lucy was the exception. Of course, my brother loved her as soon as he met her. (Seriously, you guys, Lucy was so cute.)
Lucy became the perfect addition to our family. Her and Hank were truly little partners. They would go on sniffing adventures together and made quite the team. Lucy came to all of my field hockey and lacrosse games and sat in the grass and watched me play. I remember my Mom putting her paws together like she was clapping whenever I scored a goal. Lucy was always my little cuddle muffin. She would spend weekends with me when I was in college and I would have Skype dates with her when I was studying abroad. If a boy broke my heart, if I was sick or just feeling down, Lucy was always my little cuddle bug. She always gave me kisses and snuggled right up to me. I always called her my little ball of love.
Yesterday, Lucy was hit by a car and floated off to doggy heaven. I'm sad because I don't believe it was her time to go but I'm holding onto faith that there is a reason she went when she did. I think Hank hit the jackpot in heaven and wanted her to get in on the party. I wish the both of them infinite Beggin Strips. I hope that Beggin Strips are the confetti at the party. They loved Beggin Strips.
I can't express how heartbroken I feel but I also feel comforted in knowing that she felt loved. She had a good life and a great home. I hope she knows how much I adored her and appreciated all that she did for me. If Lucy had a laptop, I know that she would be a big fan of my blog and would like every picture I post on Facebook. She was my sidekick.
Dogs are just the best.
R.I.P. my sweet little Lucy girl. I'll miss you forever.
P.S. Taylor Swift, if you're reading this, I think you should write a song about Lucy and I. Our love was a true fairytale.
