February 14, 2022

Roman pushed his face hard against my hand and licked my knee. "Sweet Boy, thank you for being my comfort. It is a hard day for me." He hopped out of the room and returned with the entire White Dog Army to wrap me in love without questions. 

But I owed them that. An explanation. I would never want any of them to feel it was something they had done so I sniffed back the tears.

"In seventeen years we never celebrated Valentine's Day. It was Siku's Gotcha Day. The day all those years ago when puppy Siku flew to us, alone, and then was locked in a luggage storage room. Dad had to hunt down an official to free her and bring her to pick me up from class. I came out of the building and Dad placed a tiny white ball of fluff in my arms. Every year we laughed at the story of Dad creating an eight-page list of potential names with an explanation of each. The second I smelled her puppiness, I knew her name was Siku. It was such a joyful event and so full of sleeping miracles that we everafter celebrated Siku's arrival instead of the hearts and flowers day.

"As the Army grew, White Dog made sure we celebrated each Gotcha Day like it was the most important day of the year. And we will continue to do that, but this Gotcha Day seems sad and empty."

Diva scrunched up next to me on the bed to give Zsofia and Opal room to hop up. Roman was on one side of my legs and Bailey rested her head on my feet. It felt safe and loving.

After a time, Zsofia hung her head over my shoulder from behind like she does when she has something important to sing. "None of us would have Gotcha Days if it was not for Siku," Zso wooed. "She is a driving force in who we all are."

Opal took over the thought, "Do we really need to change the word our family uses to celebrate love?" Every pup was wagging and thinking together. "A Siku Gotcha Day Party to honor ALL the Gotchas!" Roman wagged his enthusiasm. "Our way of thanking her," Bailey said. "With tacos and pistachio ice cream," Diva suggested. 

"What is everyone smiling about," Steve asked as he joined us. "Put on your blue shoes, Dad, it is Siku's Gotcha Day. Let's dance and make merry." Zso chided.