My emotional reaction to her is intense, and has not waned through the years. She, for me, is a reminder of two very precious presences in my life . . . She was a gift from my brother. A spontaneous, expensive, and unexpected gift from someone so dear to me - I smile and think of him every time I see her. I am reminded of the moment when, after I'd squealed with delight at finding her in a most unlikely place - a beachfront souvenir shop - my sweet brother spontaneously hoisted her up (she's very heavy) and placed her on the check-out counter. I was amazed and unbelievably moved at this gesture. We are not a family of big gift-giving, believing that love is best expressed in other, less tangible ways. But this gift was one that, after all these years, fills my heart with gratitude and joy at remembering that moment and the special person responsible for that joy.The emotional reaction to this object is multiplied because she is a beautiful likeness of my beloved Buffy - my faithful and loving Cocker Spaniel who shared her 14-year earthly journey with me. She came into my life as a tiny puppy, at the begging of daughter, Meg, and remained my constant companion through divorce, re-marriage, moving multiple times, additional pets who came and went, and much more. She asked nothing of me but to love her, which I did intensely. And I was honored to hold her in my arms as she left this life and moved on to the next. There never was a more cheerful, loyal, faithful companion than sweet Buffy. I see her in this beautiful statue, and I smile at the memory of her as my heart still tugs at missing her.
Is it irrational to love a lump of concrete? Then, so be it.
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