The tight bonds of friendship that are formed at a young age are often the most impressionable. They shape and mold individuals for a life time. The relationship I formed with my puppy helped me blossom into the conscientious and loyal young adult I am today.
             I Still remember the car ride rather vividly. I was six and my family was on our way to my grandma's house to eat Christmas Eve dinner and open gifts. Right after Thanksgiving, when the thought of Christmas lists had entered my mind, I had begged my mom to get me a puppy, to no avail. I decided to give it on last try. "Please Mom," I pleaded. "I won't ask for anything else again, pretty please."
             "Nikki, do you know how much responsibility puppies can be?" Mom asked. "I just do not think you are quite old enough to handle that yet, maybe next year."
             Feeling rather defeated, I sank back into my seat and sulked the rest of the car ride. This was the reaction I had gotten every time I asked Mom about my puppy. Troubled thoughts began to run through my mind. Christmas was going to feel empty this year. My Grandpa had died on Christmas Day last year, and the pain was still clearly etched on my heart and my mind. The close and loving relationship I had with my Grandpa could never be replaced. When he passed away I lost a close companion. In desperate search for a new loyal friend, I hoped that if I got a puppy he would fill the hollowness I experienced.
             Finally the time had come to open presents, and I still had some hope that there might be a puppy in one of those brightly wrapped gifts. I opened each present silently, praying to myself, "Please God, let this one by my puppy." Barbies, dolls, clothes, and toys came but still no puppy. My heart felt like a lump of lead as it sunk to my stomach. But wait, Santa hasn't come yet. There was still hope.
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