"He was just a dog," someone told me. "You are acting ridiculous," the caller added as I sobbed uncontrollably on the other end of the phone.
Yes, Chatito was physically a dog, but he signified so much more than the sum of his legs and arms (AKA paws). When he died, a piece of me also died. It's hard to explain, but a whole chapter of my life ended when Chatito left me.
Unfortunately, his death didn't just touch me, it also affected my home. My hubby was just as broken as I was, but as a man, he couldn't show it like I did. "Maybe we should get you another dog to help you get over Chatito," my hubby told me a couple of days after Chatito died.
"I don't want another dog, I want Chatito," I pleaded like a teenage girl.
"I can't get you Chatito back," my hubby told me as he rubbed my head and tried to console me, "but we can get Chatito a sister."
A sister.
We "won't be replacing Chatito," my hubby tried to explain. "Gettting a puppy will help you share your love with a puppy that also needs love...Chatito would want you to get another puppy..."
"Why prolong the pain?" the same friend that was with me when Chatito took his last breath asked me.
"The only way to help you heal will be to get another puppy," my MIL told me.
"You have to get her another dog," my brother told my hubby.
"You have too much love to give not to have a dog," a friend told me.
Maya Candice, named after Maya Angelou and Chatito, the brother she never met
As we began the healing process and went through the motions after loosing our little man (as we were prone to call Chatito), a three-month old Boston Terrier came into our lives.A bit soon I think...and yes I am feelings the pangs of guilt...
But then I look at her big hazel eyes after she wipes the tears from my face when I tell her about Chatito, the brother she never met...
Yes, I have too much love to give...we have too much love to give.
And so it was...and so it is...
A new chapter in my life...and a little girl to share our love with...
Welcome to our home Maya Candice! May our love give you many years of happiness in our family.
