Ok, I know this is going to make me cry, but I think it needs to be written.

I just had the worst day ever.

Simple as that.

~*~ Htgr8 ~*

A while back, the team had gotten a dog. They thought that it would help everyone bond a little more. It was a little black and white terrier-like dog. In a vote, they named the dog, Duke, although the other choices were SPRX II and Rainbow Barf.

Chiro had grown quite close to the energetic dog. When Chiro would sit on the couch Duke would curl up with him. Chiro taught Duke how to sit and roll over, and to jump for treats. That dog could jump! Chiro was five foot seven and Duke could jump up to his waist.

There was only one fault with Duke. He didn't enjoy other people, and liked to snap. Although Chiro tried to teach him to stop, the dog never quite stopped.

Chiro would take Duke on walks, both enjoying each other's company. After school, Chiro would walk into the Command Center to be happily greeted by the hyperactive terrier. Chiro clearly remembered was how his tail curled, and how it always was wagging. He remembered how when he walked on the floor the dog's nails would click against the tile. Chiro remembered every sound that Duke would make, his whines, his barks, and even the sound of his snapping when he was chasing flies. Chiro felt like Duke was a person, more of a family member, like the team.

A particular day when Chiro came home from school he didn't see Duke, that wasn't unusual, Duke was ocasionally put in his cage when he did something wrong or the team had to do a few things. When Chiro didn't see Duke in his cage, he assummed that he was in the kitchen, begging for food like he did when they were making a meal or such.

As Chiro walked into the Command Center he saw the team talking.

"Where's Duke? I didn't see him in his cage." Chiro asked as soon as he saw the monkeys.

Nova went over to the boy "Duke's gone." he said

"Gone? Did he run off? I'm sure he'll be back" Chiro asked, referring the time when he got off his leash, he always came back.

"Gone as in... dead" She replied "He got hit by a car"

Chiro stared off into space. It took a few seconds before an actual emotion started to surface. His eyes teared up and he turned from the team.

Duke was dead.

It was a horrible thought of never seeing the dog he had gotten attached so much to. That dog was like a family member. How could he be dead?

He wiped a fresh tear from his cheek as he walked. He didn't want to be seen crying in front of everyone.

Duke was never going to come back. The thought depressed Chiro and he had to keep himself from completely breaking down. He had never dealt with a death like this before, or at least when he was old enough to understand it.

And even though Duke wasn't a person, the thought of him dead hurt more than anything.

First of all, this, if it even had any way of existing, would be before the show.

And I didn't write this for you all to be sorry for me. Writing is my way of dealing with this kind of thing. It's better than other ways I could think of.

And yes, my dog, Duke, died. He got hit by a car earlier today, and I learned about it after school. He was a wire-haired, black and white Jack Russell Terrier.

And I loved him so much.

So in memory, rest in peace my little doggie. I'll miss you.

~*~ Htgr8 ~*