Chapter 1: The Dog Who Remembered Everything
My sister refused to let Dad's Doberman attend his funeral — halfway through the service, he walked in carrying her old pink purse, and what was inside made everyone gasp.
After my mother died, Dad's Doberman, Bruno, became his shadow.
For nine years, he slept beside Dad's recliner, followed him into the garden, and waited by the window whenever Dad went to the doctor.
During Dad's final months, when cancer left him too weak to walk far, Bruno barely left his bedside.
So when my sister, Laura, announced Bruno wasn't allowed at the funeral, I couldn't believe her.
"Dad would've wanted him there."
"He's a Doberman.
People are scared of dogs like that.
This is a funeral, not a dog park."
Bruno had never hurt anyone, but Laura wouldn't budge.
She'd taken charge of almost everything after Dad got sick.
She chose the hospice nurse, handled his bills, and often told me not to visit because "he needs rest."
I'd also noticed her spending hours inside Dad's backyard shed.
"What are you doing in there?" I asked once.
"Clearing it out.
If we sell the house, someone has to deal with all his junk."
But strangely, she never seemed to throw much away.
She'd lock herself inside for an hour, then come out irritated.
Bruno always waited outside the shed.
For the funeral, Laura arranged for Dad's neighbor, Mr.
Harris, to watch him.
I hated it, but I had no strength left to argue.
Halfway through the pastor's eulogy, the church doors swung open.
People turned.
Bruno stood there, muddy paws on the floor and something faded pink hanging from his mouth.
Laura shot to her feet.
"No."
That one word made me look at her instead of the dog.
Her face had gone white.
Bruno started down the aisle.
Then I recognized what he was carrying.
A worn-out pink purse with a cracked strap and a tiny metal butterfly.
Laura's old purse.
She'd carried it everywhere as a teenager.
I hadn't seen it in nearly thirty years.
"Bruno!
Drop it!"
He ignored her.
Mr.
Harris appeared breathless behind him.
"I'm sorry.
He got away from me.
He ran straight to your dad's shed and scratched at the door until I opened it.
Then he came out carrying that."
Bruno stopped beside my pew and dropped the purse at my feet.
Something heavy shifted inside.
Laura rushed toward me.
"Give me that."
"Why?"
"It's mine."
Her voice was shaking.
I picked it up.
"Don't open it."
The church went silent.
I looked at my sister.
Then I pulled the zipper.
People gasped when they saw what was inside.
Laura stared at me and then, without another word, she turned and hurried toward the church doors.
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What was inside that purse — and why did Laura go white the moment Bruno walked in?
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