I was just about ready to celebrate when I heard a faint whining…Leila! Her body lay somewhere between the living room and dining room, her chest was moving slowly up and down, she was still breathing, but aside from that she was motionless. “Stupid dog!”, I thought. She was wiling to sacrifice her life for her best friend. She had two gunshot wounds, one on the chest and one on the right hind leg. She was bleeding badly, I knew she wouldn’t make it anymore, the chest wound was too much, and it probably hit a lung. I looked at her sad eyes, tears were there, but still she looked at me straight into my own teary eyes. She tried to bite my hand and did her best to pull it towards her, she wanted another rub. “Easy girl, you did very good tonight. Too good.”, I told her with a cringing voice.

     As I looked at her I remembered all the days we had. All I taught her and more importantly all she taught me. Patience, perseverance, responsibility, self-control, and now most importantly, the meaning of unconditional love and faithfulness.

     She whined as if relieved as I rubbed her behind the ears. She stared at me straight in the eyes one more time and then she was gone. Rain started to pour like crazy, the neighbors started coming to help and ask if I was okay. All I could do was stare at their alarmed expressions, and cry.

     So after seven years of fun, laughter, crazy antics and annoying each other, we parted ways, Leila and I. I was sure lucky to have her as a pet, more importantly, as a best friend. But I was not the only lucky person that night. That burglar was lucky too since the neighbors came at once and took the gun away from my sight.

     My life will never be the same again, thank you Leila. I love you and I miss you.