My Life: Good-Bye, Samantha, Hello Kiera

http://thereddressclub.blogspot.com/

Your assignment is to write a short piece - fiction, non-fiction, poetry, whatevs - in which each sentence starts with a the next letter of the alphabet. Starting with "A." So, yes, your finished product will consist of 26 sentences.

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Almost six years ago, I babysat for my first German Short Haired Pointer.  Believing that this would be my dog forever, I took her in with open arms.  Caring for Samantha was so easy, as she was well trained.  Doing things with her was fun because of her energy! Exercising became a part of our normal routine because she had been bred for stamina and endurance.  Forming a bond with her like no other I had ever had, it broke my heart when I had to give her back.  Gathering her things as I cried, was done quickly and with robotic, almost angry, motions.  However, I never said "good-bye" to her.  I had my husband take her down the stairs to the garage. Jerry was waiting patiently near his car. 

Keen memories of us together were etched in my mind and would remain forever.  "Loving another dog like I loved her would be hard", I thought.  Meanwhile, my husband saw how upset I was.  Now it was time for me to contact the kennel where Samantha came from.  Of course, I had to put my name on "the list" which was dependent on how many puppies would be born.  Persuading my husband was the final battle I had to fight.  Quickly, I mailed in the deposit to confirm my name on the waiting list. 

Readying for the big day was one excitement after another for me.  Still, I wondered if that bond would be the same as it was with my Samantha.  Then, the call came from the breeder...on Mother's Day, no less!  "Under no circumstances," I was told "would anyone get their pick of the litter before you."  

Very excited and anxious, I urged my husband to come with me to the breeder's kennel for the selection process.  When we arrived, we had to disinfect our feet before entering the area where the eight puppies were kept.  Xylographic portraits of the offspring along with their lineage hung on the walls of the office where I completed the AKC registration  paperwork.  

Yet, there was one more thing that was necessary before taking my puppy home. 

Zealous, yet teary-eyed, holding my new pup close, I leaned towards the mother...Samantha's mother...ready to lick my face as I whispered that her pup would be well taken care of and loved forever!