Through the Eyes of Henry

October 25, 2000. I opened my eyes for the first time, only to see my brother. I could feel his presence beside me. His fur, soft and dark brown, blew in the fall breeze. I enjoyed his company, because he is all I have left. Our mother left one day, and never returned. I miss her brown eyes, bright and welcoming. We lived in a basket behind a restaurant. Food, water and walks were occasionally given to us by a worker. Our life was great, just us together. Little did we know, that was all going to change.
November 1, 2000.The morning sun rose, and all was well. I felt the vibration of footsteps moving closer. A palm of a hand reached for my brother and ignored me. The last I saw of him was his face, sad and worried. I whimpered to him, saying that I will come back for him. The shadowy figure walked away, and with every step he would become smaller until I could no longer see. Tears swelled my eyes. “He is gone.” I angrily told myself. I was left in a city alone, and nobody was coming for me.
October 25, 2003.  Three years have passed. Cars racing, people talking, the afternoon shrill filled the deafening city. I took my usual walk down the winding streets. Skyscrapers hovered over the large noisy vehicles. Windows on the buildings soaked up the spring sun. Birds flew up in the air, soaring over the cluttered town. Everyone here looks like they know where they’re going, but for me, not so much. I wish I could see the vibrant colors, glittering and shining through the sunlight. I have lived here for three years. After my brother disappeared, I told myself I wasn't ever going to leave. I was determined to find him, and I was never going to give up, until I did. My mind roamed the crowded streets, dodging every person in sight. Just thinking of the day my brother left gives me chills. A unfamiliar man’s pants brushed against my dirty fur. In an instant, the smell of dirty leaves and a fall breeze whiffed past my nose. My heart started to beat. Faster and faster, my mind processed the familiar smell. I knew that scent. That is my brothers smell. As the man proceeded to eagerly walk, I followed him. Wagging my tail and processing the moment, my eyes watched his steadily paced feet.
         After around ten minutes of walking, he jogged up old steps leading up to a tall and large tan building. I have seen this building before, I just haven’t paid attention to it. His hand reached out for the condo door handle. It looked like the same hand that grabbed my brother, three years ago. The man slipped through the wooden door. I was unsure if I should follow or not. The pressure hit me. This could be my one chance to finally find him. I made a bold move, and I quickly ran through the cracked open door. I hid behind a large trash can, hoping to not be seen. The mysterious man traveled up the winding staircase, to the second level. A silent barking noise called from a room down the hall. It sounded very familiar to mine. Unable to control my gut, I barked back, again and again. I needed him to hear me, I needed him to know me, and I needed him to be with me. The apartment door opened and out ran a brown and white lab with a I'm-glad-you’re-home face. He must of noticed me, trying to hide my body behind the stair wall. He looked the same as me, brown fur and green eyes. We made eye contact and by the look in his eyes, I knew the memories came back. We didn't know what to do, so we stood there silently without a sound. I said to him,”It’s ok, I am here now.”
October 25, 2009. I opened my eyes, to see my brother. He laid beside me next to a window that overlooked the city. His brown and gray fur blew in the fall breeze. Finding him was a key to my life's treasures. I never gave up on myself or hope. Hope is like a treasure map, you just need to know how to look the right way.