For the first few weeks I honored my commitment.  I checked her food and water and cleaned up the inevitable accident. My folks were happy; and my puppy wagged her tail and licked my face. I thought all was well.

 Eventually Buffy grew out of her cute fluffy stage, and developed an appetite for clothes left on the floor, as well as the kitchen garbage.  Unfortunately, by this time, our routine had taken a backseat to new adventures in my life, so my folks had to get involved. The dog was banished to the backyard.

 One day I came home from school and the dog was no where to be found. My dad suggested that perhaps she had escaped through the back gate I had forgotten to close. In my heart, I knew he was right.

 Buffy didn’t come back that night, and I never saw her again.   Learning to be responsible came at a high price for me.

 Years later I took out a student loan.  It was the first time in my life I had to be financially responsible.  The process of getting a loan was arduous.  It seemed I was always stuck somewhere between the school and the lender. Each seemed to hold the other accountable for the delays and sometimes I felt like a victim of the process.  

 However, I learned that I could take control of my financial future by being proactive. I refused to sit back and wait for someone else to tell me what to do.  I called to get answers. I took notes and recorded the names of the people with whom I spoke.  I visited the financial aid office to familiarize myself with their procedures and I checked with the lender regarding servicing issues. These measures empowered me.  I had learned to be self reliant. I sometimes think that the best lessons learned in life come at the expense of others. 

 Thanks Buffy.