Bridgette was the first dog I've ever had. She was a black and tan miniature dachshund. I got her as a Christmas gift from my mom and grandmother when I was a kid. It was the best Christmas gift I have ever gotten. I remember how happy I was when they brought a travel carrier into the living room and out scampered a dachshund puppy with a collar on. She had a unique birthmark which was an inverted breastbone that pointed outwards.

She was intended to be shared between my sister and I but she became more of my dog after a while. Bridgette and I would always go outside and play together. She'd follow me when I would walk down to the pond behind my house and we'd have all sorts of adventures together (even one time almost accidentally stepping on a water moccasin snake haha).

She'd always dig holes in the yard, chew stuff up like my stuffed animals and bed sheets, and she'd play fetch with her tennis ball. She was a good dog for the most part, but she'd get aggressive with strangers and would sometimes bite.

Bridgette and I grew up together. Even celebrated birthdays together (she and I were both born in October). She is the main reason why I like/obsess over dachshunds so much. Because she was my first dog and I collect merch in the memory of her. We were like Ash and Pikachu we were so close. I always wanted to bring her with me wherever I went and if I couldn't bring her, I'd pitch a fit about it.

She died in 2007. I was a junior in high school. I came home one day to find my mom sitting outside crying. I was alarmed and asked what was wrong. She told me that Bridgette is dead. That she had gotten out and somehow managed to make her way to the other side of town where she was struck and killed instantly by a car. Head trauma is what she died from.

I was devastated and in shock. I was so shocked I couldn't cry immediately. She was buried not too far from where my bedroom is. She was wrapped in a blanket from her dog bed and buried with her beloved tennis balls and some toys. I even made a makeshift grave marker for her. I even kept (and still to this day still have) the last thing she was playing with, which was a huge rawhide bone I had spoiled her with. I have it double wrapped in some plastic Wal-Mart bags and it hides in my closet. Call me insane but I will never throw that away. A memento of a friend long gone.

I still miss her so much. I miss my dog. I miss my friend. I miss the thing that gave me a reason to smile while I was being tormented in high school. I miss her so much that I couldn't bring myself to adopt another black and tan or another female dachshund (my two doxies currently are boys).

I hope I can see you again someday. I hope wherever you are, whatever you're doing, that you are happy and peaceful. I love you so much and I miss you so much too.

Bridgette wasn't just a dog to me. She was my best friend.

.:: PHOTOS OF BRIDGETTE ::.
(If you'd like to see her)
http://i.imgur.com/eNlbcRK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CVbmoog.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OHW0kzS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fEMD9Ob.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ttkReGf.jpg