I loved playing with my siblings, but nothing thrilled me more than finding a new four- legged friend outside.  Several of the neighbors knew I loved animals and gave me pets from time to time.  Someone actually gave me a baby alligator once.  I took it home and put it under the bed where I thought it would be safe.  I was so excited to have a pet with a puzzle on its back.  It was only a few inches long, had a cute little mouth fixed in a smile, and the scales on its back formed a colorful pattern.  It never occurred to me that my alligator might grow big enough to eat someone some day.  It looked more like a lizard to me.  I caught little flies and insects and gave it to the baby.  I had a pan of water there for it and I talked to it like it was a real baby.  It would turn its little head to listen to me.  It needed attention. 

       I made sure to check on my little pet before leaving the house.  It seemed content resting under my bed.  When Big Momma went in there to clean, she drew the bed covers back.  She saw the pan underneath the bed and then something wiggled.  She looked under the bed to see what had moved and nearly lost her mind.  It still makes me laugh when I think about her letting out a loud scream, but I just couldn’t get over what she did.  She got rid of my pet.  When I found out I tried hard not to forgive her.  I refused to smile if she was in the room.  And I wouldn’t give her a hug.  I literally cried for weeks.  I took these things very personally even as a young child.  But eventually I forgave her as I searched for my next pet. 

        One day a neighbor sent for me to come over right away.  Her big mouse had had babies.  I was thrilled.  When she gave me one I screamed and hugged her tight.  I couldn’t thank her enough.  My baby mouse was pink.  It was the tiniest most precious little thing.  It didn’t have any hair yet.  I felt sorry for it.  But...