"Love for a dog during childhood is one of the deepest and purest emotions we are ever likely to have, and it remains with us for the rest of our lives. For some people, their first experience of love is with a dog. The fact that the dog returns the love so fiercely, so openly, so unambivalently, is for many children a unique and lasting experience." - Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of "Dogs Never Lie About Love".
We saunter down the cobblestone-lined road, facing the harsh cold. James, my best friend, stands beside me, as I sniff the frozen earth.
"Growlie?" he catechizes. I draw my attention to him. Gazing into his innocent green eyes, I feel comforted. Those two spheres represent compassion, our friendship, and our memories. He kneels down to my level, and strokes my head. "Little one, I'm so afraid... I don't want to go back home, but I don't want to be here..." I nuzzle my body against his chest, indicating that everything will be okay.
"Growlie ... I don't want to die." He whispers. Crystal tears cascade down his face. I lick them off, and curl up to him, trying to keep him warm. Closing my eyes, I feel him run his hands through my fur. If we die together, it'll be good. I want to die with him. I don't want us to be seperated.
I, his loyal Growlithe. I love him, and he loves me.
He unwraps something hidden in a foil package; revealing it to be a sugar cookie. He passes it to me.
"Please, eat this. I want you to live."
I paw it away. I want him to eat it.
"No, please! I don't want to be the cause of your death, little one."
I still refuse.
"Please!" I see tears flooding his eyes. I nip half of it away, allowing him to have his share. Relunctingly, he consumes it.
Hours pass. Snow begins to fall.
...I can't say anymore. This memory tortures me... but, I will recite one final quote...
"The angels have come for me. Farewell, I leave this cruel world for a better place. Remember me, Growl...ithe."
And I howled somberly into the night sky, allowing the snow to melt into my fur. I was torn inside; I had no reason to be alive. Why ... why did he have to leave me?! Why couldn't I come with him? God, why did you take him away from me? What did I ever do to deserve this?
I remember lowering to the ground, whimpering helplessly. When I awoke the next morning, I was back at the mansion, but he wasn't there.
Seven years later, I met him again. He was accompanied by a magenta-hair woman and a Meowth. But, that time I knew it was our final goodbye.
He didn't bring me with him. I wanted to go with him! He told me to stay with his parents. Was this for the better of me, or was this an excuse? He has abandoned me two times!
I must be discarded material to him. But, I am more than that. I am a Pokémon; a living creature granted with a soul.
No, James wouldn't abandon me. He must have done those two events for the better of my sake, not his. But, I miss him.
... Will I ever see him again?