I found my little girl, as I call her, at my school where I teach high school English. I heard there was a friendly stray around school and she actually got in my truck one afternoon, but then hopped back out. I was determined to get her before freezing rain set in the next weekend, so I waited for her in the parking lot and scooped her up after some boys chased her. She sat on my lap the whole way home. She told me her named was Brighid. It was love at first sight. She followed me everywhere---the bathroom, my bedroom, up and down the stairs. She sat with me as I got dressed in the morning and even meditated with me. After taking her to the vet the next weekend, my husband and I found out she was very ill with worms, eye fungus, and a massive infection from an incomplete birth. I had known she wasn't totally healthy, but I didn't know she was dying. She wouldn't survive another week. I sobbed. She was my soul mate even though I'd only known her for such a short time. So, my SAT tutoring money---a little under 1,000 dollars---went to making my Brighid healthy. The surgery was a success and I thank God she has been healthy since then. For two years, she has my best friend. She still follows me to the bathroom, eagerly waits for some of my breakfast, naps with me, and drives me crazy sometimes if I try to sit down after school instead of going upstairs with her to give her my undivided attention. I am so grateful that chose me to help her, because every day she completes my heart and soul with her love and affection.

Linnea DA Houskeeper-Silien
Hankins, NY