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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Family Pet (05/15/08)
His name was Siggy, short for Sigmund. His beautiful coat was auburn and his legs were not even close to half a foot long. But they managed to support his oblong torso that resembled a watermelon. It’s funny to watch him roam the terrain, getting lost in the high uncut grass, where he could become totally invisible. This was his strategy to stay outside longer. He was an indoor pet, but he loved the outdoors.

When Siggy wanted to go outside, he would simply turn his back towards you, and back his fat rear end up to your feet. Then, he would push and prod at your feet (with his rear) in order to get your attention. This was coupled with annoying, pleading groans. I hate to hear someone beg. And then to make matters worse, he would stop, and turn around to face you with these sad, penetrating eyes. If you ignored him, he would simply repeat the process and back that rear up again. It didn’t matter what you were engaged in at the time, be it talking on the phone, cooking, washing dishes, etc.

It’s amazing how long dogs can remain focused when food is present. Siggy would literally look like a statute. My father couldn’t stand it, especially when Siggy would lick his lips. Now picture this - the owner of the house (king of the castle) making his children divert his animal’s attention (with food as bait) while he grabs his plate and rushes down the hallway to his bedroom (just so he can eat in peace). This was every single night. Sometimes Siggy would bark at the door until my father finished. Now there was just something wrong about that.

It’s a wonder Siggy survived our shenanigans. We tried to tie his ears together on top of his head, tie ribbons around his neck for pictures; and, among other things, open the front door as though we’re gonna let him outdoors and shut it right in his face.

That Datsun loved us and we loved him. He was happy just to cuddle with us and act like he was protecting us from the big bad wolf, which was usually a cat, a neighborhood dog, or someone who didn’t live with us. He was our Siggy.

I was away at college when I learned that Siggy passed. It was strange coming home, putting my key in the door, and not hearing him sniffing at the door just before he progressed to barking like a roughneck. There was nothing rough about him, but he sure sent my friend from college climbing up my mother’s brand new sofa and coffee table on her very first visit to my home. I was useless and weak to save her from the roughneck because I was laughing too hard.

He was our Siggy, a part of our family, and we will never forget him.
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This article has been read 710 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Yvonne Blake 
05/23/08
It's very evident that you loved your "Siggy". Good descriptions.
Keep writing.
Laury Hubrich 
05/24/08
This was a very nice story about your dog. Good job.
Laury
Jan Ackerson
05/27/08
Cute story, and loving tribute to Siggy.

Unless Siggy was a car, I think you meant "dachshund" instead of "Datsun", though.

You painted a loving picture with your words, and I enjoyed reading this very much.
Beckie Stewart
05/27/08
It is obvious you loved your dog and miss her very much.