Sandy's Lesson Michael William Bell

There is a special bond that forms between a dog and its owner. Sandy and I were no exception. That was why I wasn't really surprised when my mom told me the news. In a way, I already knew.

My family got Sandy when I was six, so she was a part of the family for as long as I can remember. She was like the sister I never had. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I was sad, but I wasn’t really surprised. She had not been the same for the past few months. The veterinarian told us that recovery was unlikely. It seemed that Sandy did not have long to live. I resolved to spend as much time with her as possible over the next few weeks.

The weekend Sandy died was cold and quiet. The house was empty except for my mom and me; my brother and my dad were both out of town. Sandy somehow knew that it was her time. Late Saturday night, she disappeared. I realized that she must have gone outside and began searching the yard. Just when I was about to give up, I saw her hidden under a ledge and shivering from the cold. As I approached her, a faint smile appeared briefly on her face until it was again replaced by pain. I picked her up and brought her inside.

Once Sandy was safe and warm, my mom and I talked about what to do next. Sandy...