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The part of my life that was “Missing”
By Susan Taylor
I can still remember as if it were yesterday, the night I fell in love…I was 13 years old and after begging my mother for at least three years for a dog of my own, I had finally worn her down. I had wished for a little white Maltase, my mother had just completed her last year of Nursing school, and had promised me a dog would be the first purchase when she got a job.
The Year was 1986, a beautiful July summer evening, as I was returning from a friend’s house. I heard a commotion coming from next door, three children, and the sound of a skipping rope that was hitting off something, that I knew was not the pavement. As I approached, I could see they were surrounding a small scruffy beagle! I remember pushing the kids away in attempts to retrieve the beagle who saw my efforts as her chance to run. Run she did, across the street merely ducking oncoming cars seeking refuge in a home that was under construction at the time. I ran across the street and into the home in attempts to find the beagle but to no avail. I decided to return to my front step to think of what to do next.

While deep in thought, and to my surprise the little dog appeared in my driveway, slowing creeping towards me, tail between her legs. I stood up to approach her only to realize I was scaring her more in my desperation to help. I decided it was best to let her come to me. It took almost an hour, but it was well worth the wait, the little beagle, came to my side and proceeded to sit in my lap! I started to smooth her head down, telling her I was a friend, she closed her eyes tightly as if waiting for a blow. I didn’t know what to do so I decided to let her take the lead. I knew she was a female because she looked as if she had just had puppies. She looked so sad, and scruffy and hungry. I offered her dog food but it was as if she didn’t know what to do. I gave her chicken and bread, and some cookies and she ate so fast I was afraid she was going to choke.

We sat together for several hours that night, she snuggled tightly, she looked up at me with the most beautiful brown eyes and the saddest stare. It was like if she could talk the stories she could tell. Our eyes met and I felt she was trying to thank me, and telling me if you take care of me I will love you for ever, and she sure did.

I named her Missy because she was missing, in later years I felt the name to be very poignant as she filled many voids in my life and what I had always felt to be “Missing”. It was my years with Missy that I learned the cruel reality of what many Beagles endure. Missy developed many medical problems as she grew older, but it was her diagnosis of a disc problem I discovered she had a ruptured spleen from being kicked, and a bullet in her back! Our vet advised us that it was best to leave the bullet as it as it had become encapsulated and removal could cause complications. The pieces of the puzzle started to fit, she was so timid at times, her fear of brooms, and hockey sticks, her fear of a man’s voice that was raised. I felt such a mixture of sickness and anger, that I still feel today, I was enraged and bewildered that someone could do something heinous to an animal, to my sweet Missy.

I was the proud mommy of Missy for 15 years. She passed away two years ago at the age of 17, full of love and her belly always full. Perhaps too full as she had an appetite for life, and ice cream and Burger King Chicken Tenders (her favourite!).If I could have given Missy the moon, I would have, but it still wouldn’t have come close to the unconditional love, loyalty and companionship she gave me over the years. I still miss her so much. I would highly recommend a beagle, a truer friend you will never find.

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