07/06/2026
Yesterday I lost my beloved neighbour.
I considered it my job to keep an eye on her house from my house. Every visitor, every delivery, every unusual noise was carefully monitored. Someone had to do it.
I also considered her cookies to be my cookies. She never seemed to disagree.
When I first arrived in my new home as a tiny 9-week-old puppy, she gave me a fox stole she had owned as a young woman. It even had the head and little feet still attached. She said it would keep me warm and cosy.
Now, if you’re imagining a sensible puppy gratefully curling up with such a treasured gift, you’d be very mistaken. Let’s just say I gave it the full puppy treatment. Chewed, dragged, shaken and thoroughly loved.
She laughed.
That was the thing about my neighbour. She was kind, generous, and always had always welcomed me in.
The street feels a little quieter today. I’ll still keep watch from my house, but it won’t be quite the same.
Thank you for the cookies, the friendship, and for making a little puppy feel welcome from the very beginning.
Love,
Jasper 🐾 and of course my smooth brother Riley
