For the Love of Cujo

Crystal Fulp

Cooper

CRWR 212Y

2/13/14

For the Love of Cujo

            When I held him for the first time I had no way of knowing that I would fall in love or that it would end way too soon. I still remember the day I first held him. It was an early spring day in March of 2011. The sun was shining brightly in a big, blue sky. There were beautiful birds singing sweet melodies to one another. It was the type of day that bred hope and the birth of all things precious and new. I remember vibrating with excitement, but I also harbored a feeling of apprehension that I couldn’t explain. At the time I discounted it, but now I recognize it for what it was…it was a warning.

            I was sitting on the couch in our living room awaiting my father’s return from a long, hard day of work. I knew that he was bringing home our newest family member and I was excited to meet him. I sat with our Jack Russell Terrier and bounced up from my seat when I heard the rumble of the truck.

            I rushed out to meet him at his truck where he presented me with a small bundle. Inside the bundle I found the most precious thing, I found a small Chihuahua puppy sleeping soundly. He was curled up in a ball of the ultimate cuteness. He was white with brown spots splattered haphazardly over his body and face. I remember thinking that he was the most precious thing that I had ever seen. I was so mesmerized by him that I barely heard my father say, “Be careful not to drop him. He’s very little.” I guess my father’s voice must have woken the little puppy because at that moment he opened his big chocolate brown eyes and looked at me. His eyes were the picture of contentment and trust. A feeling that I had never known began surging from my chest to the rest of my body. My heart beat rapidly and warmth enveloped me. I knew right then and there that I would love and protect him forever. I would never let anything bad happen to him. And neither would my family.

            Later that evening as the rest of my family met him there was nothing, but joy, excitement and peace in our household. Our house was usually loud and raucous, but that evening it wasn’t. It was like a calm had enveloped us all. It was a beautiful experience and an even more beautiful memory. Before that evening was done my father had dubbed the baby “Cujo” and I had fallen irrevocably in love.