Kathryn Lindoha

If you’ve lived with dogs, you know the pain that I’m going through. Around 6:15 this morning, my reckless driver knocked my loyal, trusted friend called Michelle in our compound. I’ve lived with Michelle since 2012, after Sheila and I bought her from a dog show in Lugogo. Actually it was Sheila’s dog. There were times when everybody abandoned me, and Michelle was there for me. I remember there was a period where I stayed with Michelle for four months, the two of us in this house. Michelle was a very unique friend. She was extremely intelligent and would even knock on my door whenever she wanted to enter my bedroom upstairs. I even told people on my radio show that I have a dog that knocks, and they thought I was lying. That was Michelle. She would also knock whenever she wanted to come to the dining area. The day I lost my father on 1st September 2019, that’s the day I realized that dogs are like human beings. Michelle came and sat near me in the living room. Because I could not stand the pain of losing my father, I went to my bedroom. Michelle followed me to my bedroom and deliberately refused to leave my side. That’s the kind of friend I have lost. During the COVID period in 2021, Michelle battled uterine cancer. She underwent surgery at Mutungo Veterinary Clinic, where she spent six days. The doctors discovered she had uterine cancer and removed her uterus. I visited her every single day, and she recovered successfully. Ever since, we lived a good life together. That’s how strong Michelle was. Today, we have put Michelle to rest. I have lost a loyal and trusted friend. Those of you who have dogs know the pain I’m going through. In the world we live in today, you can hardly have a loyal friend. A dog will never betray its master. Losing a loyal dog like that is heartbreaking. They’re family, not just pets. And to lose them to someone’s recklessness makes it hurt even more because it feels so unfair.