Love, Your Furry Little Brother

Dear Big Sister,

The greatest joy of my life was being part of the Alexander clan.

From the moment the four of you walked into the compound, I knew that you were the ones who would take me home. I knew because you were just the family I had been picturing in my doggie daydreams ever since I’d arrived at the Humane Society.

I remember you stopped in front of the cage before mine to admire my neighbor - a beautiful but aloof labrador retriever.

I needed to make sure you didn’t make the wrong choice, so I ran to the front of my cage, jumped up to loop my front paws through the holes of the cage door, and barked.

Our Dad noticed me first. He said, “What about him?”

I wagged my tail eagerly to show my enthusiasm for this suggestion, licking his hands as he reached through the cage to pet my head. It wasn’t long before I had everyone’s attention and the five of us were walking out together.

It was the happiest day of my life.

I sat between you and our big brother in the back seat during the car ride home while you all deliberated about what to call me. Names were thrown about but nothing seemed to resonate with anyone until Dad said, “What about Toby?”

And just like that, I was Toby.

Becoming an Alexander was a dream come true. I got to roam the house as I pleased, and you and our big brother loved to play almost as much as I did. Hide and seek was one of my favorites, although I never did figure out the "hide" part and much preferred to be the one doing the seeking. (What can I say, it was the hound in me!)

I also enjoyed playing tug o’ war with my squeaky steak. I was really good at that one!

Oh, and the walks! As you may remember, I loved going for walks. I loved them so much that I didn’t even care when you and Big Brother teased me the times I started shaking in anticipation when you’d ask me, “Walkies?”

I know I pulled a lot on the leash, and I’m sorry about that. It was just so hard to contain my excitement when I was outside!

Even when I was inside, I would long for the outdoors, sitting at the window for hours with my wet nose leaving dewy marks on the screen as I furiously sniffed the world outside.

I loved sitting on Mom’s lap while we watched TV, even though looking back I realize I was a bit too big for that.

I also adored being the center of attention and couldn’t resist posing for the camera whenever one was pointed at me!

The only thing I didn’t like? Those horrible things you call “hot air balloons”!

I swear every time I saw one of those damned things floating silently and ominously across the horizon, I couldn’t contain my suspicion. Fortunately, my warning grumbles of “buff, buff!” seem to scare them off every time.

But what I loved most about being an Alexander is that you all loved me and stood by me, even when I made mistakes.

Like the first year I came to live with you, and I went for a run and got lost. I swear I wasn’t trying to run away. I just love to run and I got caught up in the moment. By the time I thought to slow down, I had no idea where I was.

Thankfully, that chip the vet had put in me came in handy. When the Humane Society found me roaming around halfway across town, they were able to use that chip to call you.

You also stood by me the time I ran into that strange black cat with the white stripes down its back that you said wasn't actually a cat. I just wanted to say hello but next thing I know, it’s sticking its butt in my face and I’m covered in the most horrible smelling stuff.

And you know me, I love all kinds of stinky stuff so when I say something smells bad, you know it’s ghastly.

It didn’t help that it was 11 pm at night and pouring rain. But our brother stood out there in the rain with me, holding an umbrella over me as our dad ran to the emergency vet hospital to get something called, “Skunk Off”. Even after you bathed me and used that special shampoo, I still reeked for weeks.

But you guys loved me anyway. You were the best family a dog could ask for.

As you guys got older, you had less and less time to play. You started going to part-time jobs, and band practice, and friends’ houses. But that was okay because I also didn’t have as much energy to play as I used to.

The day you were accepted to college, Big Sister, and I was glad. Not because I wanted to see you go, but because I knew you were about to start the next big chapter of your life and you’d be okay without me.

And I hadn’t been feeling well for a while. I didn’t tell you guys because I didn’t want you to worry.

But you noticed when I started having trouble with my balance and my breathing became labored. You guys rushed me to the vet’s and they told you I had an enlarged heart and liver. They gave me some medication that helped, but after a couple of months, I could barely stand.

When I overheard that you would have to take me in to the vet’s one last time, I was relieved. I was so tired and dizzy all the time. We had to wait until morning when the vet’s opened and you stayed up with me that night to keep me company since I was too uncomfortable to sleep.

So, I just wanted to say thank you for that, and for giving me a home I truly felt I belonged to. Even though it’s been 18 years since I last saw you, time doesn’t matter much to me anymore. Life is wonderful on this side of the Rainbow Bridge and I take comfort knowing that one day we will all be together again.

Love, your furry little brother,

Toby

Author's Note

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