Part of my childhood went away when my dog Shiloh died. Shiloh was not just a dog; he was my best friend and part of the family. Anytime my mom took me to Cincinnati to see her family, I would get so excited knowing he was there. All those rides were jammed with stories of happiness and a reunion with Shiloh. He was such a beautiful golden retriever.
I recall him running up towards me the first time I saw him. His tail wagged so hard, I thought he might take off the ground. One of the infectious things about Shiloh would have to be his energy. I could throw a ball for hours and loved playing in our backyard. He would sprint after it as if I was the best thing in this world.
With Shiloh by my side, the world felt so big and full of adventure. I would run ahead, and he would chase after me, stopping only to sniff at interesting things or greet other dogs. I felt so free and alive, yet just a kid with a dog by my side, exploring the world together. Taking those walks made me feel we were partners in crime, ready to take on anything.
However, eventually, I began to notice changes. Shiloh was not as active anymore. He would play like before, only he would tire out so much sooner. Fetch games became slow and the walks shorter. Deep inside, I knew our remaining time together was so short, though I would not admit it to myself. I treasured each moment of his life because I knew it was valuable.
My heart was breaking as it had now reached the point where we had to say our goodbyes. I remember the warmth that had been my comfort all those years when I needed him. As I whispered to him how much I loved and appreciated all those memories, I could feel the tears streaming down my face. It was one of the worst times in my life. This felt like a pain inside my chest that would never leave. The world just felt so different without him. The way I walked around the house, thinking he was going to run up to me or be curled up in his spot, it killed me to think about how much joy he had brought into my life and what a unique early childhood I had because of him. Shiloh still weighs heavy on my mind years later.
I could not help it, but Shiloh was hard to lose, and of course, I treasure all the time we spent together. Every moment spent with him flashes in my head. He was a blessing. Though my childhood dog is no longer with me, Shiloh will always have a special place in my heart.
