Why I’m Thankful this Year
As Thanksgiving comes up, I reflect upon the many reasons I have to be thankful. Unfortunately, the one thing I am thankful for this year is a bittersweet thought. The passing of my beloved pit bull, Whiskey, was one of the hardest things I have ever had to witness. A little over two months have gone by and I still feel like I am in a bad dream.
Whiskey came into my life when I was an awkward pre-teen in middle school. I can remember all of the hardships I went through during that time and always having her as emotional support. She would nudge me with her cold nose when she could sense I was upset. I would feel an instant sense of comfort without her having to say a word. Her sweet soul and physical affection had that impact on me and anyone she met.
I often think about all of the times she spent sleeping in the room I shared with my sister on her favorite bean bag — even though she had a comfier bed in my parent’s room. Her loud snores were enough to keep me awake for half of the night, but I loved knowing she was there with me. I will always cherish the many nights I spent on the ground with her if I was having a rough night. I am extremely grateful to have had the privilege of having my own little guardian snoozing away a few feet away from me.
The best part about her was that she never judged me. It did not matter to her what I struggled with, looked like, sounded like, or did — she would always be by my side. I went from a pre-teen to a young woman right in front of her eyes and all along the way she grew with me. Eventually, she was frailer than she used to be and could not do everything she once did. I used to come to my dad’s house and be greeted by her running up and down the halls in excitement about my arrival. She would nearly knock me over with sloppy face kisses as her behind merrily wiggled. My visits to her from college were much different. She would find the strength to get up from her bed to see me despite her obvious pain. Her tail wagged just as if she was a puppy again. To know that she always got up to see me when she was rarely ever getting up was truly heartwarming.
This Thanksgiving I will be thinking and praying about Whiskey at the dinner table. If it were not for her, I know times would have been much harder. She was my benevolent best friend, and now she is my guardian angel. This pain of missing her comes with the memories I got to share with her and all that she has done for me — and for that, I am eternally thankful.
