Brilla- Bright Light of Life.

Lately I've been in the unwanted habit of waking up between 2 and 3 in the morning and unable to get to sleep.
This morning I was grateful for that.
I woke up on the couch in the back room. I hadn't even made it to my bed- I got up because I can never go back to sleep immediately. I heard Brilla (Bree-ya) whine just a little bit, I had put her on my bed before I fell asleep- intending to let her sleep with me- but now she was wanted to get down. I let her down and petted her as she walked slowly to the water bowl and took a drink. I sat down at the computer reading MLIA. I heard her go out the doggy door. 20 minutes later she still hadn't come back and I was about to go back to bed. I decided to go out and see if she was alright.
I am so grateful that I did- and I am sure that I was prompted too as well.

Heavenly Father knows us so well- and he knew that I would be utterly heartbroken if I had found her in the morning- cold and alone.

She’s wrapped in a sheet that was Grandma Camacho’s. We felt it was fitting. Grandparents Camacho adored her.

She was the best dog. My first dog.

I remember the first time I saw her. 2nd grade, Mum and Dru drove up to Barnett Elementary to see me- Mom had this furry thing behind her neck- I thought Dru had done hunting or something and nabbed a white fox- but it was Brilla, she loved sitting on people’s necks when she was little. Mum pulled the puppy from behind her neck and presented the creature to me. She was so small and adorable. Mum said she looked like a tribble.

They named her Brilla luz di Vida. Bright Light of Life. She was the runt of her litter- but more than willing to take on her brothers. She had the heart of a lion.

One time in Payson AZ, she ran right up to this husky and licked his nose. :] She played with our Great Dane, Chispa- Brilla would hop from furniture piece to furniture piece, while Chispa followed her on the ground in our living room. Brilla even broke her leg playing the yard with the big dogs- but that never stopped her.

I keep looking at that box wondering how it can hold her. She always seemed so much bigger, and it feels like such a little box.

Oh I just remembered the first squeaky toy we got her! We had never purchased a toy with a squeaker (is that what you call it?) and Mum had bought her this little toy bunny- we didn’t know it had a squeaker. When Brilla accidentally squeaked it- she jumped so high and far away from it. So cute! She was scared of that thing for the next few hours- but quickly learned the fun of it.

She was the best travel companion, and my confidant.
I feel blessed to have her in my life for these past 15 years.
She taught me love, loyalty and how to stand up for myself- and I taught her how to climb stairs. Hardly feels fair, but she was amazing like that.