Goodbye Shiloh

I came home from school in a bad mood. I saw your leash outside and as I entered I yelled, "Why is there a leash outside?" Little did I know my life was about to get so much happier. I walked into the living room and saw a dog there. I said what's her name? My mom replied Shiloh (like the movie). Over the next little while, I taught her how to pee outside, how to sit, give paw, lay, and speak for a treat. I couldn't wait to get home from school anymore to see my little puppy. She was an excellent dog.

My brother treated her a lot. My mom would buy her chew toys and treats as often as she could. I was over at a friend's house one time and I knew my mom's boyfriend kept her outside. So when it was snowing I went to check on her—lo and behold she was outside. I didn't have a key so I went to my mom's boyfriend's father's house and made up a lie to get the key. It was soon after that I taught her to scratch on the door when she wanted inside. I would take her paw, scratch the door with it, then give her a treat. I did this a few times to make sure she knew it would be okay if she wanted inside, and how she would let us know. Although I think she would trick me into going outside for her whole life, to get a treat.

Over the next 17 years, I would walk her so much. We would go out into the fields behind the house and I would let her off her leash so she could run free and go exploring like any living creature should be able to do. I trained for basketball with her, and words can't describe how much I miss her now that she has passed away. I was in the hospital and hadn't seen her in 4 weeks when I got the news over the phone.

When I played with her, she would slowly arch her back and get all wild all of a sudden. Growling and smiling. I would throw the toy and Shiloh would run as fast as she could after it like the world would end if she didn't get to it before I did. We would do this for like an hour and usually I was the one ending up getting too tired. Towards the end of her life, I would have to carry her up the steps and help her down them. I walked her a few times a day so she could get outside to do her business. I had bought her treats to clean her teeth and a bark box, where they would send a monthly gift to your door.

It always made me cringe when I saw the stories of mistreated animals. How could you harm something so innocent, something that can bring you joy and happiness if you treat it well? This is unexplainable and just the other day I made a donation to the humane society for helping dogs in the dog meat trade over in Asia. I plan on making more in the future but for now, this is what I can do. For Shiloh and for the other families that can feel the joy of having a dog, and the love they bring to us.

Towards the later years in her life, I would sing her to sleep as she lies beside me in the makeshift bed I did out of blankets. In the morning I would walk her and we would share some food.

But Shiloh, I love you. My memories with you will last my lifetime, and I will do what is in my power to make sure dogs have good homes and will do my fair share to show those dogs in suffering there is a better life.