Ever since Cici came into the house, she’s been discovering what it means to be safe, warm, and loved. But there was one thing missing—her best buddy, Chooch. They had spent so many happy days together, running in the yard, sharing toys, and curling up for naps. Now, with Chooch away, Cici sometimes wandered the house with a quiet, searching look in her eyes.
Today, I brought home something special: a plushie shaped just like Chooch, soft and round with his same brown-and-white markings and a stitched little smile. As soon as I set it down, Cici froze. Her ears perked, her tail wagged slowly, and she stepped forward like she was approaching an old friend.
She sniffed the plushie from head to toe, then gave it a single, gentle lick. That was all it took—Cici was in love. She grabbed it gently in her mouth, trotting off to her bed as if afraid someone might take it away. Curling up, she placed the plushie right between her paws, resting her chin on top. Her eyes half-closed in that dreamy way dogs have when they feel safe and happy.
Every now and then, she’d nuzzle it, give it a little paw pat, or sigh softly. Watching her, I couldn’t help but smile. This wasn’t just a toy to her—it was comfort, memory, and love all stitched into one.
When bedtime came, I reached to move the plushie, but Cici looked up at me with the softest, pleading eyes. That’s when I decided—she could keep it with her tonight. She curled into a tiny ball around it, her breathing slowing as she drifted into sleep, her paw still resting protectively over her Chooch plush.
I turned off the light, heart full, knowing she was holding on to a piece of her best friend.
