~ The Paw Print In My Heart ~

My story begins on a calm winter morning, where the sun shone and shimmery snowflakes blanketed the trees. Excitement filled the air in my home, and everyone in my family was smiling – especially me. Anticipation and enthusiasm made me toss and turn all night, but the sun had finally risen and it was morning. It was the day I had been waiting so long for; the day where my life would become complete!

I was bouncing around all morning, smiling uncontrollably. This was the day where my family of six would gain a seventh member; a puppy! My only way to visit her and love her would no longer be by looking at pictures and videos of her. I would finally meet my cute little black dog! I would have her in my arms, in my home, a part of my family.

I had been waiting for this day to come since practically forever. I had always known that something was missing in my life; something small, but meaningful. That is exactly what my puppy Rosie was to me — small but meaningful. She weighed less than 3 pounds at the time, and was mostly made of soft black fluff. I remember wondering - "How could I love something so small so much?"

Unable to sit still, I continued waiting. I knew that I had homework, chores and other responsibilities to complete, but it was nearly impossible to focus. The only thing I could do was dance and twirl with happiness and stare out the window waiting for my puppy to arrive.

Finally, after what felt like a year, Rosie arrived. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. She was in her small crate, whimpering a little, but I knew that she would soon learn that she was in a safe place. I opened the door of her crate and my eyes lit up with joy and my smile grew bigger. I loved her so very much from the moment I saw her. Just looking at her cute little face and stroking her soft black hair was enough to make anybody’s day.

Rosie was only eight weeks old, but she was definitely the most playful and kind puppy I had ever met, and the cutest, most beautiful puppy I had ever laid my eyes on. Her big dark brown eyes shone in the sunlight and her wavy hair was as soft as a blanket.

After only three days, we had to return Rosie to her mother since my brother was very allergic to her. Almost sooner than Rosie came, she went. But no matter where Rosie is living, she will always have a special place in my heart.

Even though I had only had her for three days, it hurt so much to give her up. I loved her almost like a sister. I loved her before I met her. I loved her before she was born. I loved her even before I was born. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it is true.

Happy memories of Rosie will forever lay in my heart. Rosie’s soft pink tongue licking up my tears of sadness… the late-night visits with her when everyone else was in bed… holding her tiny warm paws in my hands… and running through the house with Rosie following me. I will even miss Rosie’s soft little whimpers that kept me up in the night.

Maybe someday I will get another dog, and maybe that dog will have the same soul as Rosie. If I ever do encounter the spirit of Rosie in another dog, I’d know for sure. Whenever Rosie saw me wiggling like I had a tail, she would start jumping up on her hind legs and wagging her tail with excitement. If another dog had the spirit of Rosie, that dog would do the same thing too.

Rosie made a paw print in my heart, and I will never forget her. She might have left my home, but that doesn’t mean that she left my life. She’ll forever be in my heart, day and night. Even when I grow old and pass away someday, I’ll still have the tiny paw print in my heart that was made by the tiny black and white dog that I called Rosie.

- Avery Durand