Sophie

This blog is for my dog-Sophie. Today, Sophie had to make her way up to Heaven. She was starting to struggle in her old age, and we couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer. I would just like to take a few moments to share with all of you the story of Soph.
I remember the day my family brought her home. One hot day in Chandler, AZ, I came home from my 4th grade class to a surprise of black furr being held on a leash by my little brother in our front yard. There she was. Hands down the cutest puppy I have ever seen. I ran up to her in excitement, leaned down to pick her up, and immediately I fell in love. Her little face was hidden under all her furr, so kissing her was quite the task. I couldn't put her down. I was so happy, I cried. We brought the pretty dog into our home and my parents told me what it was like picking her out. She was the runt of the bunch. All the other dogs had power over her. She could barely get her share of food or water around these big pups. My family just knew she was the dog they'd want to love for the rest of their lives. After I learned about her rescue, we started the debate of a name for her. I begged to call her Princess (give me a break...i was in 4th grade.), but no one seemed to like that name. Everyone decided on Sophie. I ran to my room and bawled into my pillow. Sophie? It sounded too much like SOFA for me. My dog was NOT a couch. In the midst of my tears, this little doggy came sneakily into my room and kissed my hand. Right then, my mind was changed. Sophie was the perfect name.
Sophie became my best friend. When I'd come home from school, she would follow me wherever I went. Her favorite was bathtime. "Sophie, I'm going to take a bath. You coming?" Surely, she would trott along behind me and lay on the bathroom floor absorbing the heat while I took my bath and annoyingly sang her songs. At night, Sophie always ended up in the same room as me. Often times, the room I was in belonged to my parents (once again, I was young.....). This dog quickly became more than just a dog--She was my sister. She completed our family.
Sophie put up with me in middle school and during our move back to Las Vegas. She even somehow managed to deal with me during high school when I thought it was a good idea to go running, but I couldn't go alone...so of course, I made her come along. She always stuck by my side. And when I went away to college, Sophie missed me as much as I missed her. My mom told me she kept the spot outside my bedroom door warm at night, just in case I returned. Whenever I had to leave Sophie, I left a little piece of my heart with her to keep safe till I came home. Leaving to go to Disney World for 8 months was hard. When I came home, I was sad to discover my puppy had gone blind and was slowly losing her hearing. But even still, she knew who I was. She pranced around and gave me many many kisses when I walked into the house.
This beautiful dog has loved me, and my family, with all her heart--And we have loved her right back. Sophie watched 14 of my birthdays pass by, comforted me through the many tears I've shed, listened to me talk and sing far too much, ran in the hot heat with me, dealt with increasing the size of our family by 2 (our dogs Rusty and Tyson), helped me open Christmas presents each year, kept watch for monsters in my room at night, made everyone that came in contact with her fall in love, and most importantly, she was always my truest friend.
I love Sophie. Today was a sad day, but I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of her. She's up there eating bananas, running around in a big field of green grass, and quickly stealing the hearts of every angel in Heaven. I'll miss her with every piece of my soul until I see her again.
Sophie, my dear, sweet, beautiful sister, friend, and puppy....I love you.