We all remember our first pet and every other that follows has a high standard to come up to from then on. Great write

Mine was an ole heinze 57 curr I named Ringo because he had a ring around his neck. Good ole dog. My childhood was erased in other ways. I think I'm enjoying being a child at 42 way better than I did 30 odd years ago.

Pets are family members too. I still dream of my childhood cat Fluffer. I was 19 when she died and she was 17. The heart never forgets. A very touching piece:)

Oh, this brings to my mind so many vivid images. Now I remember MY first puppy, whom my own mother ran over, and then sat on the lawn with him and me the two of us sobbed and sobbed. A cowboy came rambling by on his bay mare, and said, "Scuse me m'am. Let me help." And he went right back to our shed, and got a shovel, and I'll never forget the way Lady's lifeless form crumpled into that little grave. I never wanted to move away from that house; my two year old mind could not imagine abandoning my faithful buddy. Like you, I'm not sure it's a good thing to revisit that memory or not. I just know I definitely connect with the horror of the emotions you painted. :-(