Letter to the Editor

Your View

Thursday, November 29, 2001

Dog is missed

My parents are both in their 70s. They have raised 10 children, one of whom they lost through a tragic accident.

They have suffered many more sorrows and trials in their lives. Between the two of them, they have battled cancer, heart attacks and many more illnesses too numerous to mention.

Now living in the big house once filled with all their children, they find themselves sometimes very lonely.

Especially my mother, who spends many days in the house alone because her health will not always allow her to go out much; and my father, although supposedly a retired farmer, still spends much time out in the fields.

Just a few weeks ago something came into my parents' lives that somehow helped to fill the void of their grown children. A little Maltese puppy called "Fido." He instantly touched the hearts of all who came in contact with him, especially the many grandchildren who visit their grandparents on Sundays. They would play with him for hours and give him his bath when it was time.

That was until the day of Nov. 15, 2001. He seemed to suddenly disappear. My mother had a doctor's appointment, which my father had to drive her to. When they left, Fido was in his usual spot under the carport, wagging his tail as if to tell them good-bye. They didn't realize, however, that it would be for the last time.

When they returned home from the doctor, little Fido did not greet him in his usual manner, running to the car and once again wagging his tail as if to say, "It's so good to see you. I'm glad you're home." Instead, there was nothing.

After searching everywhere they could think of, and even driving down the road, with the horrible thought that they might find little Fido in the middle of the road, my father returned home in his old 1975 Chevy pickup with one of the grandchildren by his side without a trace of their little loved one.

They must now come to the assumption that little Fido was taken from them, by once again touching the heart of someone who could not resist his irresistible charm and personality.

If this is not the case, I can only hope that whoever is responsible for the disappearance of this precious puppy will have the courtesy and courage to return him to his rightful owners.

If not, please take care of him and give him the love he is accustomed to by this elderly couple, and please call him by his given name, "Fido."

Anonymous