Taro

um, no sooner than I finished typing the previous entry, the garage door opened, and shouts of "we found Taro" rang out through the house. You were hanging out on, out of all of the front porches in the neighborhood, a vet's. Their neighbor found the sign we put up only an hour before, notified the vet, who called us, and now your home safe and sound. Please don't ever do that again, ok?

Dogs

Once, after a long day of third grade, I was delighted to find that my mom had bought a puppy while I was at school. He was a beautiful min-pin, whom we named Frisky Nebachadnezzar Dolan.

Last summer, we added a beautiful Shiba Inu named Taro to the mix, and life with our two dogs was swell.

This past Thursday, I was awakened in the night, to what I thought was going to be a life ending seizure to poor Frisk. He seems ok now, but I am not dumb. When a 15 year old dog has a seizure it's not a good sign.

This evening, while out for a walk, Taro was scared by a big dog, got loose from his collar, and bolted. By the time dad could reach the direction he ran, he was gone.

fifteen years of care free life with pets, and suddenly this. Frisky, I hope you live a while longer, at least til I move away, and don't have to be here when it happens. I want to remember the good times we shared, not your passing. And Taro, even though you bothered my Frisky, I still love you, and I desperately hope we can find you safe and sound.

Jay

I made the mistake of telling a bunch of girls about my undying love for you at a sleepover the summer before the ninth grade. They threatened to make up a story about you, me, and Filiberto's burritos if I didn't agree to meet you on Sunday. Reluctantly, I caved to their stupidity, and it was hands down one of the most awkard moments of my fourteen years. I am pretty sure they still spread around the Filibertos story anyways...

Nichole

You were on all of my tee ball and softball teams in elementary school. Your dad was our coach. You were the first person I ever met who disliked pizza. This shocked me; who doesn't like pizza?

Tyler

The clock could be set by your arrival. Promptly at 5:30 am you would arrive and we would chat as I crafted your quad venti non fat no foam latte. You called me kid, went to my high school, graduating only two years before me, and still owe me that drink for my 21st birthday. I saw you at the gym tonight, pumping iron, I think we'd make good friends.

Michelle

In fourth grade, during the bible story, I watched you chewing on your nails. I decided it looked like something I wanted to try. So I did. I have been biting my nails ever since.

Ashley G.

We went to Kindergarten together, and I remember you cried everyday. I didn't see you again until second grade, while playing in a Tempe park while my mom coached Debbie's basketball team nearby. You had a plastic leg, complete with fake toes and toenails. I was freaked out. I didn't see you again until college, when we had education classes together. You still had a fake leg, obviously, but it didn't freak me out like it did my seven year old self.