Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008

Madonna with Christ and St. John the Baptist
Artist: Raphael

Narrative number three

My Best Friend


When I was younger, I had this best friend. It was a boy, and he had long, soft brown and beige fur. His name was Benny and he was my dog. He was rowdy, playful, sweet, and protective. He went with me everywhere. When I woke up in the morning, he was right there waiting for me at the bottom of the bed. When I would go to get up, he would jump on me and lick my face, letting me know that he was ready for another fun filled day.
I got him when I turned four. He came out with a red bow on his collar. Right then, we became best friends.
Our favorite times we had together were during the summer. I lived right down the street from a beach, so we went their basically everyday. We would pack a lunch which was two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and two apple juice boxes, which I had to help Benny out with that part.
We always went to the same spot. It was towards the middle of the beach, right next to the shore. The first thing we always did when we got there was we played Frisbee. After a little while of that, we would go for a swim and have water fights. Then finally we would go and relax in the sand and have our lunch. We would also build sand castles. Benny always knocked them over, but I didn’t mind because he was trying to help.
After our long day of playing, we would watch the sunset and the waves. The wet sand would stick to our skin and we would feel the cool, smooth rush of the waves coming to shore. The wind would blow the slaty sea tatse around in the air, making my mouth water. As the water would come to shore more and more, seashells would start to appear. They were all different sizes and textures. I loved collecting the smooth, rounded-edge pearl-colored shells. When I found them I would place them inot my red pail that I would bring with me. Benny would sit and watch me, every once in a while taking a drink of the salty sea water.
Even when I got older, I would still take him down to the beach to play some frisbee. We didn't go as often, but whenever I had time out of my busy schedule with friends, school, and later on work, we would go down.
Later on, Benny also became best friends with my children. He would run around the huge backyard we had with the kids. They adored him just as much as I did. Even though Benny was getting old, he tried to be the same hyper, active, and loving pup.
But slowly, Benny got less and less active and hyper. He would then just sit around all day, and would just like to sit with you and be petted.
Then one day, Benny left. He just got too old and tired. I wasn't surprised because I knew it was going to happen soon, but I still cried my eyes out. I was a grown man, and yes, I still cried. I just thought about all of the good times we had when I was younger, and all of the adventures my kids got to have with him too.
I still remember the first day I met Benny. He was my first best friend. And I loved him.