My first dog was a German Shepherd Dog.

My First Dog: The Story of Jeanie

Until 1976, my family and I lived in Chicago. That is when we moved to Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Ever since I could remember, I had one dream: to own a German Shepherd. My imagination would run wild as I thought of having a dog accompany me on my adventures. While attending middle school at River Trails Junior High School, my father had a different plan for me. As I was advancing to high school, he told me I could have any dog I wanted if I got straight A’s for the first semester at John Hersey High School. It sounded outrageous and impossible, but I was determined to achieve my new goal.

I knew exactly how to achieve this, so I stayed focused. Ultimately, it paid off, and I received straight A’s. Following his promise, my father took me to Noah’s Ark Pet Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. There, I found the perfect eight-week-old German Shepherd puppy waiting for me. A black-and-tan female with two upright ears overflowing with curiosity made me instantly fall in love. I named her Jeanie, and we shared an inseparable bond.

Jeanie and I were as thick as thieves. Her vivaciousness and spirited personality brought joy to my life. Every summer, we would go to the local forest preserve, where Jeanie would find softballs that people left behind from their games on weekends. She would gather enough to fill a garbage bag, and I used to sell them to my classmates for $2 each. Thus, turning our adventures into a side hustle. Jeanie didn’t require a leash at home or when I traveled. She accompanied me everywhere, and her company was always soothing.

Fast forward to my college sophomore year. I was on the high school swim team, and one day, while in the garage, I heard some whimpering. To my astonishment, Jeanie was in the process of giving birth to puppies. Like many dog owners, I had assumed her weight gain was simply due to her enjoying life, but she was pregnant. Her graceful demeanor shone through every aspect of her life, even giving her puppies, and it was awe-inspiring to witness.

When I was getting ready to go to college, I encountered a difficult decision that I had to make. I had to leave my dog, Jeanie, so I had a friend from church take care of her. Saying goodbye to Jeanie felt like losing a piece of myself. During the drive, she broke loose from my friend’s hold and chased after us, barking desperately. That was the last moment I spent with her. She ran away shortly after, and my friend was convinced she would never return. That news destroyed me, and for years, I ached from the loss, worried about where she might be and if she was safe.

Jeanie’s memory lingers like a gentle echo of love’s sweetness. She was my first German Shepherd, and I didn’t get another one until recently, when Skylar entered my life. Among my other dogs, Chase and Bailey, Skylar shines the brightest. She is the echo of Jeanie; she is perpetually near, sleeping next to me, panicking during errands, and methodically checking rooms until she locates me. Lighting up my day with her barks and wagging tail, welcoming me home. I do my best to take her everywhere, just like with Jeanie. Looking at Skylar sometimes makes me feel like Jeanie’s spirit is still with us, reincarnated as a loving and loyal dog.

Jeanie transformed from just a pet into something more: a partner on my escapades, an introduction to responsibility, my first love, and tough lessons in goodbye. Delighting in her gentle affection, Skylar carries that legacy forward and reminds me each day of the bond I’ll cherish forever.

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• This discussion was modified 2 weeks, 3 days ago by  Gustan Cho.