I don't know why I have decided to write this story. I guess maybe because I've realized that family and friends are going off to college, or moving to different states. Although this story is sad, it is such a beautiful story about an animal we call "Mans Best Friend."I don't remember the exact day, but I will never forget the details. Dad, peanut, and myself where all at grandma and grandpa's when grandpa got the call. It was from a neighbor man. I remember grandpa's face as he pulled the phone from his ear and said "Sylvia that was the neighbors they saw a dog heading this way and he looks as if he's shot." Grandpa paused, "they think it might be Quasi."
I stopped what I was doing, letting what grandpa was saying soak in for a second then I raced to the door threw on a pair of barn boots and rushed from the house, and into the cold. I ran but I had to slow down when I reached the patch of ice are family calls "the McGhan lake." Although just a puddle it never seems to disappear completely. About half way across I could see Quasi's small brown form limp toward me. I sucked in a breath, not because I was cold, but because I feared what I might see when he neared. My heart seemed to prepare me for the worst. Quasi stopped at the edge of the bank when he saw me and just stood, his left paw in the air. I could tell something wasn't right. I stepped up onto the drift thankful that it was compacted enough so I didn't fall through. I knelt down in front of him, not caring that I was in a skirt and didn't have a coat. I seemed oblivious to the cold. Tears burned there way down my cheeks. "Oh Quasi!" I said. "Who would do such a thing." Images of a vibrant little puppy so full of energy and puppy love played through my mind. I faintly remember grandma hollering outside but I can't remember if I answered her back or not. Quasi sat back on his haunches then dropped his head to my lap, crusted blood covered his nose and I couldn't believe my eyes that he was even alive. How had he made it back? There was nothing left of his whole left shoulder, and the smell left a person to believe he'd at least been like this for a day. I scrunched my eyes and shook my head in awe. But the dog laying in my lap didn't seem to feel any pain. He was home, and in the arms of someone he knew loved him dearly.
And I cried, I cried for a dog that I loved, even though not mine he was, aside from Elmo, at the time probably the best dog in the whole world! I cried for my my cousin, someone who was so much more than that to me...a best friend...a sister. I cried because this was her baby, her best friend. And I knew that it would hurt her so bad to see him like this. I didn't want her to see him, I never want her to remember him the way I remember him, although I will never regret being there, able to comfort Quasi, because he was home, he was with someone he loved, and I know in my heart that the only reason he was still alive was because he was bound and determined to make it back to all of us.
You may be wondering what this has to do with friends and family leaving but it has this to do with it. No matter how far any of you may go whether its to collage or a "nanny job" in Wyoming. We will always be back home waiting for you to return to us. Quasi didn't stop till he was home, and even though it wasn't his house that he returned to, it was home because it was the people that loved him. Have your adventures, and may God bless you wherever he leads you. But don't ever forget the people that love you back home. Quasi was a special friend, who I will always love,
even though he chewed up my favorite pair of really expensive crock flip-flops. It just makes him all the more special in are hearts. I love you always family and friends, but a special shout out to my cousin, best friend, and sister Krista McGhan. I love you Kris, wherever God takes you... Blessings to all!!
