Hope was not my pet. But she was like one to me. Hope was born when I was in Kindergarten. I first saw her when I caught the bus for the first time in July 1996. School girls were crowding around the gate. "Wow, look Nadia, there's a new little puppy!" "Aww, she's soooo adorable!" they said as they stroked the puppy's soft little ears.



Every day as I walked to the bus stop along with hundreds of other Loreto Kirribilli students I saw Hope behind that gate. Whenever it was Hope's birthday the students would give her treats and stick cards on the little gate. Hope knew when the bus line was coming at 3pm. I saw that dog grow bigger and bigger, and after several years I saw her get older and older. Every single day she sat waiting for me behind that fence. She loved me the most. She wagged her tail and licked my hands when I reached through the gate. 



In 2007, when I was in Year 11, Hope started to grow ill and started to lie down inside the house instead of waiting at the gate. "Where's Hope? Where's Hope?" wailed the students on Hope's 13th birthday in 2008. And it was her last birthday too. The last time I saw Hope behind that fence was in August 2008, when she was looking very sick. The owner walked to the gate and explained to all the students that Hope had cancer. Then, I walked away, and never saw Hope again.



Hope died on the morning of my graduation at 9:30am. Her owner stuck a notice on the gate explaining that Hope died and that she loved all of us who gave her so much attention over the years. 



Thankyou Hope for waiting behind the gate all the time and having to put up with dozens of girls squealing and stroking you. But you loved it. Thankyou for the many "kisses" you gave me and your mini 'talent shows' you peformed in front of us.



Rest in Peace.



From Gina Maree, your No.1 fan (and squealing school student)



xoxo