Light

Dear Light,

I’m glad you’re coming back. I missed you more than I can ever express. I know you weren’t gone for long, but it felt like an extraordinarily long time for some reason. Every season you go on vacation, or at least I think you do and while most of those vacations aren’t too hard on me, not so with this one. During those dark and dreary days, I really missed you. In fact, I went searching for you and took my friends along on the journey.

Some days we found hints of you around and then other days, nothing. It was dark. It was cold. It was lonely without you.

Everyone tells me that I just need to be patient, but it’s hard for me. I thought it would be easier as I got older, but for some reason, this seasonal darkness worsens every year.

Perhaps there’s something we could do to keep you around longer or maybe, though I know I’m pushing it, keep you from leaving altogether.

Is that even possible?

Gretchen tells me that I need to let you do what you need to do, but I could tell that your absence even effected her. There were days when she struggled to get her rain gear on or thought of a million other things to do than go outside into the darkness. Still, we both soldiered on hoping that you’d return.

What do you do when you’re away, Light? Do you realize your impact when you leave? Does the place you go to appreciate you was much as we do? Do you have friends there? Do they treat you better than we do? I mean, I know we have some crummy weather around here at times, but if you stayed around, I bet it wouldn’t be as crummy.

My friend Monty says that you aren’t trying to intentionally hurt are feelings. In fact, he was the one who encouraged me to write to you. “Light doesn’t know how you feel,” Monty said. “I think you should send an email or maybe write a letter. A letter’s more personal.”

Of course I don’t have either your email or home address, so I decided I’d just write you a public letter and see if the speed of technology and social media might get this message to you. And if it does, I hope your feelings aren’t hurt. It’s just that I miss you and I wanted you to know.

Others miss you too. My dog walking pals have all asked about you? “Where do you think Light has run off to?” asked Tyson the other day.

Rosie, Tyson’s sister, hasn’t missed you all that much. She’s kind of light-sensitive, but when Tyson asked after you, she perked up and said, “Yes, Light hasn’t been around in a long, long time!”

I think Sonny has missed you more than me. He hasn’t wanted to really go on long walks simply because you’re not around. Surprisingly, I’ve been the one who has had to convince him that you’d return soon and that going out in the dark and cold isn’t has horrible as we imagine it to be. Of course, there were times when I felt like I was lying to him, but I tried to look on the bright side (yes, a pun; unintentional, I assure you.) I think Sonny knew I was lying, but he humored me and together we would brave the light-less skies together.

Joey said he hasn’t missed you, but I don’t think he was being all that truthful either. He’s young and so I suppose his opinions are still forming though Gretchen says he’s just that kind of guy — happy-go-lucky.

Speaking of youth, my cousin, Lindsey, got a new puppy who we saw over the holidays. Oh my. I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this new addition to the family. His name is Kili and everyone seems to be really enamored with him. I don’t think he really knows you yet. He met Fog and Clouds, but I don’t think he’s met you yet.

Henri and Bella are very opinionated and they have definitely expressed exasperation at your seasonal departure. Henri just wants to stay inside, but Bella, she wants to go outside and bark at the dark, hoping it will go away and that you’ll come home. Did you hear her?

Theo must have gone with you because she hasn’t been around much either. I miss Theo almost as much as I miss you!

The other day, though, I was out with Carter and Kali and I think, I could be wrong, that we spotted you down by the lake. Was that you?

Maizy and Zizou have been staying with us and I keep telling them that you’ll be home soon. They told me that their family went on vacation with you, but I’m not sure they know what they are talking about. They’re kind of wild children, so I just let them run around the house telling lies because it makes them happy.

Dora, on the other hand, is probably more upset at your leaving than I am. She tiptoes outside now and I know it’s because you’re not around. I try to be brave for her, but I’m having a hard time not making faces when we’re out in the cold and wind and rain.

Chief has been sick, unfortunately, and so I need you to come home Light because I know it would make him feel much better.

So Light, I know I’m just one dog in a world of dogs and even though my friends feel pretty much the same, I think we’d both really appreciate your return. If you have it in you to return earlier than you originally planned I promise not to take you for granted anymore. In fact, if you come home early we’ll throw a welcome home parade for you. I’ll invite all of my friends and they can invite all of their friends, and we can have one whale of a party. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading my letter and considering my offer. I realize you have other friends all over the world who need you as much as we do, but I just didn’t want you to forget about us up here in the frigid and dark Pacific Northwest!

Your pal and #1 fan,

Rubin