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Table of Contents

Narrative...................................................................Page 3

Nonfiction 1...............................................................Page 12

Nonfiction 2...............................................................Page 13

Poetry.........................................................................Page 14

About the Author.......................................................Page 18

Maci lying in her bed, hugging her pillow. 

Tears rolling down both cheeks. Slowly. Steadily.  

    She thought her heart was broken after that stupid EX-boyfriend 

broke up with her but that was nothing compared to this. This gut-

wrenching, lump in your throat, actually painful sadness. 

    She knew this day would come but she dreaded it. 

Dreaded it with every ounce of her being. Dreaded it more than 

homework on the weekends, more than any project presentation, and 

even more than seeing her ex at his locker. 

The one Right. Next. To. Hers. Every single morning before the first bell. 

They had talked about this day before, all agreeing to put the family dog 

down when the time was right. That time was today but it still didn’t feel 

right. Maci knew it could never feel right. Now after watching her dad 

bury her furry best friend she didn’t think anything would make her feel 

better. 

Being 16 it’s hard to listen to any “advice” from adults but before Maci 

locked herself in her room her mom told her to try and remember all the 

good times they had together. Maci shifted some pillows, got 

comfortable under the blankets, and decided to start from the 

beginning…

     Maci thought back ten years ago to the day she turned six.

    “Ready to go?” Maci’s mom asked smiling down at Maci as she tied 

her shoes. 

“Almost!” she said as she looped the bunny ears and pulled tight. 

Checking both shoes and quickly jumping up off the ground, Maci 

remembered how her brown curly hair bounced. She still couldn’t 

believe they we’re leaving to go pick out a puppy on her birthday! That 

was so long ago…

Watching her dad drive the same way he always does, one hand on the 

steering wheel and one hand rubbing his scruffy facial hair as he talked 

to her mom in the front seats. Maci remembered how long that ride felt 

that day.

Maci read the sign on the cage, ‘Blue Nose Pitbull’. At that time, she 

had no idea how much those few words would change her life. 

     As all the pups were playing together, there was one that came 

right over to where Maci was sitting. Maci stuck her fingers into the 

cage and watched as the puppy licked her fingers. Never taking her eyes 

off the solid gray puppy, “This is the one I want!” Maci squealed. 

     Even more tears now as Maci remembered how sweet and 

small that puppy was. 

“This little puppy is a girl” said the store owner as he picked the puppy 

up out of the cage and handed her to Maci.  

     One of dad’s favorite stories to tell is of Maci that day. After 

meeting her brand new puppy, she asked “Daddy, why is her nose 

black?” He just thought it was another one of her constant why 

questions, and answered “I’m not sure baby, that’s just how God made 

her.” Which of course was followed by “Then why did God name them 

BLUE Nose Pitbulls?” 

     I’m still not sure if he ever answered that question.  

Maci put the puppy back down on the ground, this time outside of the cage. “She 

has kind of big feet, its funny watching her walk” Maci said through giggles. 

“Can we pick out some toys for her?” She asked as she was already reaching to 

pull a pink and white twisted rope off the shelf. Maci’s dad explained that having a 

puppy is a lot of responsibility and that they are going to need to get a few items 

before they left the store. 

     Maci and the new puppy picked out a few chew toys, pink and silver dog 

bowls, and a pink collar with a bow on it; that way everyone would know she’s a 

girl dog.

She grew out of that little collar so fast…  

     Daddy said her name should be Blue, and mom said she should be called 

Lady. 

     Then Maci decided “her name should be Belle.” Mom and Daddy finally 

agreed as they were pulling into the driveway. 

Dad called her Blue her whole life and jokingly called her Blue Belle more often 

than not. Even though I hated it, I never thought I could miss something so 

much, Maci thought.   

“Welcome home!” Mom said to Belle as she picked her up off Maci’s lap. They all 

stayed out front playing in the grass, taking turns trying to teach Belle her name.

     Then Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley walked over from their house next door. Of 

course Mrs. Berkeley had on her pearls, mom says she never takes them off. 

     “Is this your puppy?” Asked Mrs. Berkeley looking down her nose. 

Maci told Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley all about the day she had. Everything was fine 

until Maci said ‘pitbull’. That’s when Mrs. Berkeley quit listening to Maci and 

started with all the questions and comments that nobody cared to hear. “That’s 

an aggressive dog to have as a family pet… Aren’t you worried she is going to bite 

Maci? What happens when she gets too big to control, then what? Don’t you 

know they all turn on their owners? Give it a few years, you’ll regret this.” 

Thank goodness they moved away recently, they’d probably be so happy that 

Belle is no longer the dog next door. And we’ve never once regretted owning that 

dog.

             She wasn’t the only one though, seems like everyone had something to say 

about Belle just because she was pit. They couldn’t even take her on walks around 

the neighborhood without a neighbor staring and whispering. Maci loved laughing 

at her neighbors that made their kids and pets go inside just because Belle was 

outside. 

     Years later, the whole neighborhood was worried about them bringing 

home Maddox. Maci’s mom was pregnant with a little brother, people thought 

having a pit and a new baby was a terrible idea. Maci and her parents knew there 

was nothing to worry about when it was time for the baby to come. Maci was 10 

years old when her brother Maddox was born. Belle was 4 years old, she was so 

good with the new baby and never stopped being good with him. Belle never left 

that baby’s side, if Maddox was in his swing in the living room, Belle could be 

found lying on the floor a few feet away. She even let him pull on her ears and tail 

and started crawling and walking. 

     A faint smile formed as Maci thought about Maddox and Belle playing in 

the backyard every day, the same way she did with Belle when she was six.

Oh. My. Gosh. We should get Maddox a new puppy for his 7th birthday! 

Nothing can ever replace Belle, but it’s not fair that Maddox has to grow 

up without a dog now.  

     Maci suddenly didn’t feel as sad anymore and grabbed her phone to 

text her mom, who was home, but all the way downstairs. Her mom 

texted back agreeing that it would be a great thing to do for Maddox and 

the rest of them, and that they’d talk about it later. Maci’s mom told her 

to try and get some sleep.

     Maci put her phone on the nightstand, fixed her pillow, and laid 

back down.

Listening to Mom twice in one night, that’s a record, and Maddox has no 

idea how great his birthday is going to be! 

     Just the thought has Maci feeling better. Actually smiling, Maci 

closed her eyes and slowly drifted to sleep. 

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