animal_family misstree she was with me through the whole crazy dream it wasn't until the end, when i finally got to sit down and relax for a minute, that i really got to spend time with her. i felt her lean heavily against me as she used to, felt her arm around me, and heard my mom say, "aww, maggie loves you." of course she does. she's been my sister since we were both pups. i reach back and throw one arm around her and scratch her head with the other. i feel her thick, short hair ruffling under my fingers, and maggie leans into the scratches. i dig in more, giving her the best i can. i hug her tight, a girl and her dog, best friend forever. i slowly drift towards consciousness. it's then that i realize that my fondest furry friend is ten years gone. that her comforting warmth and weight, that her protection and love, ephemeral illusions. that my sister is as long gone as she was yesterday. the tears haven't stopped helplessly flowing. i remember maggie coming to me like this many times (i was a teenager, i cried a lot.), nuzzling and cuddling against me until i had no choice but to pet her, distracting me from my worries. it was her, many times, that kept me from being utterly alone. i half expect to look under my nails and see distinctive short black hairs. i know that she was saying i love you and everything is all right but it isn't and i just want to squeeze my sister to my chest one more time, feel her tongue brushing away tears, leaving me giggling but i have to settle for Knowing that she still loves me. for her, i can make it enough. 060501 what's it to you? who go blather from