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us for ten years - peaceably - patrolling her neighborhood in the confident manner of a senior resident long before you moved into the area with your goats. She had a pleasant daily schedule of routine visits for friends and neighbors and, at the end of the day, would race us up the driveway as we arrived home from work. In these ten years, there was no reason to think that she was in any way a menace to the neighborhood.
On the contrary, Raffles was a gentle, soft, obedient, well-trained, fat, lazy dog. Everyone who knew her loved her. Every visitor to the property w as greeted like a long-lost friend, be they friend or foe. She was my constant companion. To me, she represented the one "safe haven” of stability in a world all too frequently fraught with stressful situations and demanding, conditional relationships. She was unfailingly and unconditionally loyal, devoted and trustworthy. I could be happy, sad, optimistic or pessimistic without fear of judgement, rejection or scorn. I repaid her devotion with an equally powerful love, of w’hich she was aware, and from which I believe she drew strength.
I tell you all this for two reasons. First, I believe that everyone has to accept responsibility for their actions. You should therefore be aware that Raffles’ death is an unspeakable loss for me, personally. I am devastated and bereft. A tenyear relationship such as the one shared by Raffles and me is not easily forgotten, but you have snuffed it out in one unthinking rageful act. Second, it is my sincere hope that, should you ever be faced with a similar situation again (and, God knows, I hope you never have to be) you will remember this letter and think before doing something as unspeakably violent and totally irrevocable as what you did to Raffles and Fescue on that day.
LESLEY ARNOLD Huntly
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