A Story By Vanessa
After Sheba died daddy was very sad. Mummy decided that the best cure for his grief was a puppy! Of course we agreed! Daddy was not consulted, I’m not sure if he would have agreed, and it was to be a surprise for his birthday.
The puppy arrived and she was so cute! All butt wiggles and kisses! I loved her. We named her Sophie, because mummy said dogs liked S names the best and also we knew and liked someone named Sophie.
Sophie was very naughty. But she seemed so happy with her naughtiness that it was hard to be mad at her. I adored her and snuck her into my room where we broke every rule: she would jump on furniture, sleep with me, make a mess, and chew my toys. I forgave her every time.
I don’t remember what his initial reaction was, but it became clear to my father that Sophie was nothing like Sheba, and never would be. It was hard to remember to pick your shoes up after taking them off, and super annoying to be told by the adults constantly to take your shoes upstairs. One night daddy himself forgot, with dire consequences.
I awoke to cussing. Daddy was chasing that dog around the property cursing a blue streak and brandishing a cutlass. I was afraid he was actually going to chop her up and kill her. Sophie did not look afraid or sorry. She thought it was a game and was grinning wildly, her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. She would run away and then sit and wait for my dad to catch up and then take off again. This only made him madder! I was so upset I sat on the steps and cried. I loved that dog!
After daddy left the house the dog had to be taken to Friendship to stay with my grandparents. It was a good while before he cooled down and the dog was allowed back home. I was relieved that he didn’t kill her. And apparently all of this was over a shoe!