Squeaky

Squeaky was my good friend and companion. I first came to St. Augustine's Church on November 1990. I work with a nonprofit organization that took care of single mothers and babies. The director of this organization had invited me up for Thanksgiving Dinner and I stayed right on as her assistant. St. Augustine's Church was just half a block from where I worked. Being a Christian organization I had from time to time had to go to the rectory on business matters. This is where I first met Squeaky. The secretary at that time would keep her hidden behind her desk, as the priest did not want her in the house.

Let me start from the beginning on how Squeaky came to St. Augustine in the first place. In the dead of the winter one of the ladies from the church heard this loud squealing noise coming from outside in back of the rectory. On investigating she found Squeaky with her pups. Being in the dead of winter the pups could not bear the cold and they were all dead. She brought Squeaky to the veterinarian and between both of them nursed her back to health. This is when I first saw her as she used to follow the Secretary back and fourth to and from work.

Squeaky was really afraid of people especially kids and I believe that at one time or another she was abused by them. When I first came into the picture Squeaky was two years old. On my trips to the rectory Squeaky would come out from behind the desk and come up to me. This was my first contact with her. After a while Squeaky would come and see me at my place of work, but she was always faithful to the secretary that cared for her.

In 1994 the Franciscan T.O.R. Brothers asked if I would care to move in with them as a member of their community. I agreed to this and moved in March 1994. Being close to the rectory now I can to see more of Squeaky and she became more relaxed with me.

During this period Squeaky was still left outside in the cold and I was hurt and sad on seeing this. I said to myself that I will not let her go through another winter in the cold. A month after this I started to take Squeaky in the house, of course a few of the people living here did not like the idea, but I was determined not to leave her outside. The people on seeing that I would not give in finally agreed to keeping her in the house.

This was the starting point of giving Squeaky the best 6 years of her life. We became very close companions and friends. When I was away for any length of time she would wait at the door until my return. On entering the house she would jump up and down in circles and cry because of her happiness in seeing me.

The sad moment came at the beginning of this month of May 2000. Squeaky would not eat or drink any water. I had to rush her to the Animal Medical Center as she was getting real bad. The next day I took her to her regular doctor and she kept Squeaky. The following day I received the call that Squeaky had passed away. I could not say any more over the phone and I was deeply saddened on losing my best friend.

I know now that Squeaky is better off and is in that star in the sky, looking down on me and waiting for me to join her in a life of eternal happiness.

I really miss my companion and think of her often.