Anya had had a long, happy life. She knew she would from the moment Ilya first picked her up in his arms. When the time had come to say goodbye, Anya went to sleep looking into the eyes of all her favorite people in the world. She felt their hands caressing her fur with love, heard hushed voices enveloping her in a cloud of peace, and she thought, "this isn't the last time we'll see each other". She didn't need to make a promise about looking after them for the rest of their time, because Anya had made that vow a long time back.
She didn't waste a second. The day after they parted, Anya watched as Shane and Ilya sat on the couch, her little sister laying on the pillow Anya loved to cuddle.
"I didn't want Anya to go away yet," the little one sniffled.
Ilya looked up trying not to cry.
"I know, honey," Shane said softly, running a hand through curly, jet black hair. "She didn't want to either, but she was really old, and her body was having trouble keeping up with her energy."
That was true, Anya thought. By the end, she couldn't even go on walks anymore, and she hadn't been able to carry her sister on her back for a few years. She just wished they weren't all so sad, Anya was right here! There must be a way to show them!
"She lived a really amazing life with you, solnyshko. Your dad and I thought she was always the happiest dog, but we got to know a completely new side of Anya when you arrived."
"Really?"
"Really."
Anya watched as her little sister sat in silence for a moment, patting her hands onto Anya's pillow.
"I'm going to miss her, daddy," she cried, launching herself onto Shane's lap. "I will never forget her."
Shane and Ilya shared a look between them, their wobbly lips and shiny eyes breaking Anya's heart.
"We won't forget her either, baby," Shane said, and at the sound of his broken voice her sister looked up.
She put both of her hands on Shane's cheeks, pouting.
"Don't be sad, daddy. I cry because I'm little. Tomorrow I will be brave."
Shane and Ilya laughed, softly squishing her between them.
"You are brave, solnyshko. I know Anya is looking down now, so proud of you for wanting to be better. But I'm sure she thinks you are already perfect," Ilya told her.
Yes!
"That is right," Anya thought. "I will make sure to let them know when we meet again", she promised to herself, rolling around the greenest and softest grass she had ever walked on.
