Dear Diary,

She’s back. And only after fifteen hours. Not a world record, but getting there. She wouldn’t tell me where she had been, but I really don’t care.

A more important thing is Lucy. My beagle-lab mix. She’s the sweetest little thing, but she’s already twelve years old. She’s supposed to live longer, but she’s wearing down. What am I supposed to do when she leaves me? She’s the only one who really knows me, Diary. Not even my own mother knows me.

Lucy is my life line. My only friend, my trusted adviser. Yeah, sure, she’s a dog. But, she’s not just a dog. She’s family.

I found Lucy on the side of the street in a cardboard box. She had a bunch of puppies suckling on her, and I brought them all home.

Mom hated the idea of dogs, but Dad didn’t mind. He convinced her. I was only five then. One more year before the fight.

Yeah, I got to keep her. I still wish we hadn’t sold her puppies, though.

I know what it’s like to lose someone you love.

And trust me, Diary. It hurts.