New Years was around the corner. It would be our first one without Einstein since he passed away from his illness no more than a week ago. None of us had dared to leave his body until the next morning. Fagin decided to have Einstein cremated so we'd still have a part of him with us always.
I had spent all morning just silently crying because of how much I missed that big ol' hunk of love who'd always have a tennis racket in his mouth. Even though it was broken, he still loved that thing. Even asking about putting in a tennis court in the small houseboat still amuses all of us.
During the week, we had told everyone that Einstein had died soon after they left. Needless to say, they were all depressed by his passing. They loved him as much as we did. Nothing could replace that big Great Dane. Absolutely nothing.
After a while, we all went to Central park while it was still snowing. It had genuinely gotten heavier with the passing days. We all had made a plan to go to the big christmas tree later tonight to celebrate the day of 1994.
"Are you okay, old girl?" Dodger said, coming to sit beside me. "Yeah, just thinking' is all." I tell him, shaking my black and brown fur from the snow that fell on me. "About Einy?" he asked. "Yeah… I can't believe he's gone Dodger. A whole week and I still believe he's sleeping the day away in the houseboat." I say, looking at my aging mate. He nuzzled me affectionately.
"It's alright, Rose. I'm the same way. And I miss him so much as well. And we always will. But… we shouldn't be moping around wishing he'd come back. You know that right?" Dodger said, his voice still shaky. "Yeah, I know. Einy would want us to live on. Heck, my dad would want me and Kaiden to move on." I say, looking up at the falling snow.
"So… don't look so down, old girl. We still have some time before we're going to the Christmas Tree." he said, standing up and getting to a play bow. I stand up as well and playbow as well. He always knew how to cheer me up.
The two of us started to play in the snow. I barked happily at him and gave him a few playful nips. He nipped me back and growled. The playing soon turned into dancing. My heart skipped a few beats when we both stood on our hind legs and held each other up by our forelegs. Our muzzles touched.
"I love you, Rose." Dodger said in a whisper. I giggled at that and gave my mate a deep, joyful kiss. "I love you more Dodgie…" I chuckle. We played together in that snow for a few more minutes. Then, the others came to join us in the playtime. We all started to play together as a family in Einstein's honor. Man, it felt good.
Later that night, it was time to go to the Christmas Tree. Every light was shining bright on the snowy streets, which always made me feel so festive and happy. The Christmas Tree was located in Rockefeller Center. And it was the most beautiful thing ever that I've seen. Everyone was already here, ready to celebrate. The puppies were jumping for joy and were yapping with happiness.
Before we knew it, the big ball had dropped and it was finally the New Year. "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" we all shouted with happiness. Dodger and I made our way to the top of a rock that was slanted upwards towards the tree. "Happy New Year you guys! We will celebrate this New Year in honor of our friend Einstein. Who tragically passed away on Christmas this year. But he wouldn't want us to mourn for him. He'd want us to be happy to celebrate not only his life but ours along with it." Dodger announced to the gang.
"Exactly. So let's all do our old friend a favor and give a howl in his memory. To show we're not giving up on him or on ourselves. Einstein was a great friend, family member, and gang member who was one of the funnest dogs to ever walk these streets. When I was a mere puppy, I loved him from the beginning. He was fun, lovable, and a caring friend who would never let you down. May his memory forever be remembered by all the street dogs of this city!" I preach, looking from the gangs and the sky.
Just then, all of us howled up to the sky. Our echoed canine voices echoed through the city, bouncing off the walls that lined up with the streets. We were caught up in this wonderful feeling- the best we'd all felt longer than any of us would care to think. Our pasts couldn't be held onto- at least not the parts that didn't matter. We all had shown this city who's boss; shown our friend that we did love him with all of our hearts and we always will.
All of us were a team, a family. We never gave up on each other. Even with Einstein gone, we will still be New York City's coolest quadruped. Nothing can change us. And nothing ever… ever will.