by Beth Brown
It's been 20 years since your death. I was 11 years old when you were so tragically taken from us. You were just a little fur ball when mom brought you home from the pet store where she worked. I remember she introduced you to me by putting you on my bed and you started licking my face and woke me up. She took to our family and loved all of us, even though you were "moms" dog. She went with us everywhere. We took her on our family vacations and kept my brother and me from bothering mom and dad on our trips. I can't forget seeing her beautiful face haning out the wing window of our VW on the back seat. Then came the day my parents seperated. Mom and us kids moved into an apartment. We couldn't afford the security deposit required to keep her. We sold her to moms best friend. She also moved into the same apartment complex but paid the deposit. She wasn't a very good mom to Tsing Ling. She let her run all over outside! She, however, discovered that we lived there too. Every morning when we went to school, Tsing Ling would be laying outside right in front of door. She would be there when we would return from school. We would play with you in the house but when mom returned home you had to go back outside, as much as it hurt her to do so. She would explain to us "She doesn't belong to us anymore." I don't think that mom knew at the time that she may not have belonged to us anymore, but that WE belonged to HER. Then that terrible day arrrived. Tsing Ling started to get curious. She waundered onto a highway near the apartment complex. My brother and I came home from school only to see Tsing Ling's new owner carring her to their apartment. She had been hit by a car. We followed and was not allowed to come in. He could hear her crying and wimpering inside. We waited outside to see if they would come out. When they did the were taking her to the vet. We went home and called mom at work to tell her what had happened. She came home and waited with us to hear how Tsing Ling was going to be. My brother and I had to go to bed before knowing how she was. The next morning, mom, with tears filling her eyes told us that Tsling Ling had to be put to sleep. There was nothing that could be done for her. I only wish that I could have said good-bye. I will never forget her happy personallity and good nature. She was loved by everyone who met her. After all these years, she is still rememberd fondly and dearly missed. She lived a full as full as a life as a 1 1/2 year old dog could. She is safe in rainbows bridge. I can't wait to see her again! We love you Tsling Ling. And we still miss you dearly!!!!!! Love, Sis