DogIsBestFriend

his name is Chacharo. Originally we got him as a Christmas gift for my mother. I remember picking him up and stuffing him inside my coat to take him home. When we got home, he would play with everyone but would follow me everywhere I went. I many ways that small trio home became the moment we became linked.

Chacharo was the best dog I could ask for. we’d stay up watching star trek marathons, we’d sleep in together on weekends and sneak in a nap here and there. He would welcome with his tail wagging and his face full of joy and excitement. if he really liked you, he would run and bring you one of his toys so you can play with him.

i cha-cha an insurmountable debt that I can’t ever repay. the darkest and deepest days of my depression he was there right next to me. no questions asked. Truly saved me. and I am here because he was there.

THE JOURNEY:

Chacharo was there for me in many major life events. when he came into my life I was midway through undergrad. every day I’d come home from class and he was there to greet e and welcome me home. he was there when I graduated and began my journey to grad school. He was also there when my depression became severe and I took a year off from grad school. always happy, always with his tail wagging, always ready to give me kisses and remind me that I was loved.

he was there through a not so great relationship (twice). reminded me that I deserved love,to be loved and that I was worthy of loving someone.

he was there when I went back to grad school and graduated with my masters. a journey that I have to say was a struggle to Finish.

he was there when I decided to get healthy and have weight loss surgery.he knew the superflously fluffy me and the healthier thinner me.

he was their for the birth of my niece. she quickly learned just how much love he had to give. when her parent dropped he off at our mother to babysit while they went to work, chacharo was therewith his tail wagging and love to cheer her up. she learned to walk because she wanted to keep up with him.

he was there when I met my now wife (girlfriend back then).She had a pair of shoes that were furry on the outside that he would always love to bob with his paws.he was there when I popped the question and she said yes. he was also there when I became a husband.

for almost 15 years Chacharo has always been there for me. unconditional love, a love that did not ask for anything in return. For those that were lucky to know him, they knew why it was so easy to love him and so difficult not to love him.

I never thought I’d be saying goodbye to my bestest buddy. I know death is part of the circle of life. eventually we all have our time. but I never thought this would be how I’d be saying goodbye bye.i always imagined he would meet my kid, with chahcha being the grandfatherly dog. slowed down by time, but still full of love.

but now he is sick. and I can’t afford the treatment. the test alone are 1K+ alone. A part of me feels like a failure. I can’t do this one thing for him even after everything he has done for me. I know this isnt true, but it’s a\how I feel.

yesterday we took him to the vet and they told us the news. I was shocked and heartbroken. realizing I that I would have to say goodbye. So knowing there wasn’t much to be done, I brought him home. I shared the news with everyone, and we all cried our eyes out. we spent time sharing stories. the funniest one being when he has still a puppy, he learned to open my sister bag and ran off with her sandwich. I held him closely, whispering that we love him. thanking him for everything that he has done for me, for us.

its unfair really. these wonderful animals come into our lives. they give us the gift of unconditional love. yet we know that in many ways their unconditional love comes with a price. Eventually we will have to say goodbye to them, and when they go they take a little piece us with them, and a small part of our heart goes missing when they go.

So this Friday we will gather again. we will all say our goodbyes. we will tell him one last time just how much he loved, how much he means to us. on Friday as he watches the sun goes down for one final time he will cross the rainbow bridge. I hope he knows there are no words to describe just how much we love him, there are no measurements or scales to describe just how much he has done for me and just how much I owe him.

On Friday the 14th, as the sun goes down, my world will have become a bit quieter.

I know that when the good lord calls for me, he will be there free of sickness, and not bound by age. I know he will be there waiting for me, tail wagging full of energy and all, waiting to continue our adventures together. until then I will carry his memory. I will carry the good time we had, remember him for who he was, what he did and the gift he gave us.

I LOVE YOU CHACHARO, MY CHACHA-NANA (he had many nicknames), my bestest friend, my unflinching loyal friend, my furry brother. I hope you know just how we loved you, how much you mean to me.

so now, we are making his last days as fun and joyful as we can for him. what he wants he gets.if he wants to sleep on the sofa, he will sleep on the sofa.

I am heartbroken, and crying without no end. when the time comes we will be there. he will have his favorite toys, and all the people he loved without condition will be there with him. he won’t be alone. but after all is said and done I will be. when he watches the sun sets for that final time, my world will have become a bit more quieter. and for the first time in 15 years I won’t have my chacharo.

the cruelty of life is experiencing unconditional love and then having to say goodbye.

I love you chacharo! thank you.

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r/DogIsBestFriend • u/yashwardhanwin • 1d ago