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| 3 Sisters and a Puppy: A Tribute to Our First and Forever Pet... "Licorice" (March 13, 1991-January 29, 2004) |
| Licorice came into our lives over 13 years ago, on the eve of my stumbling entrance into the fifth grade, Jennifer's grand debute into the 3rd grade, and Amanda's precocious days as a little bundle of baby fat. An ignorant fool may casually remark that she was just a pet. Never. She was much more than a pet... Licorice was our strong team of horses, when Barbie needed a ride to the Grand Ballroom. She was our (even stronger) team of horses when Amanda decided to take a ride to the kitchen. When we agonized over a decision between two pairs of Easter shoes, Licorice solved the problem unwaveringly by dragging the uglier pair under the bed (though never to be seen whole again) She sat on our beds and listened to us cry for hours on end after the boy in English class broke our hearts. She was our pillow when we finally fell asleep in a puddle of snot and tears. When we lacked a character in our living-room theatrical production, she became our Hamlet, our Romeo, our Prince Charming draped in velvety capes. She was unceasingly by our side under the dinner table, lending a helping (secret) tongue when it was meatloaf night. If we ever needed to train for schoolwide fitness competitions, she coached us in the art of tug-of-war...(also advising us on which brands of tshirts were more prone to instant ripping.) When we lacked a swimming partner, she sat patiently, (or frozen with fear), on the floating mat that constantly drifted to and from the deep end of the pool. She was the diplomat who traveled through hallways from locked door to locked door, bringing peaceful resolutions to three sisters, once torn by mutual distrust and jealousy. After our frustrating summer day of fishing off the back yard dock, and nothing to show for it, she generously presented herself outside, only to swallow whole the hotdog-carrying fishing hook and line, and then patiently sat through surgery as the doctor removed the entire unit from her content little belly. As we eagerly practiced our skills as a future mother, Licorice was our pink dress-clad, bonnet-wearing baby girl, who sat in the stroller during long walks (and long, confused gazes from onlookers) through the neighborhood. She was our stunt-man, elected to test the safety of all the crazy youthful contraptions we devised on long weekends. She was our brave barking hero, keeping us calm and safe from harm when we nervously stayed home all alone at night. Joining us in our pre-teen fascination with makeup and accessories, she offered her paws to test out each of the colors of our newly purchased glittery nail polish. She shamelessly broke the ice between a pathetically shy high school girl and her nervous homecoming date, offering herself as a delightful and hilarious conversation piece. She was the first excited bundle of joy that greeted us at the door without fail, welcoming us back home after months away at college or summer camp. She was our comic relief when we were angry, our shoulder to cry on when we were depressed, our family member in holiday pictures and christmas greeting cards, our movie-partner when we longed for a date, our faithful, steadfast friend when we feared the judgment of others, our wonderful bank of wonderful memories that we will always remember... |
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| "Personalized Gift Wrap" |
| "Would you like a Doggie Bag with that?" |