okay so,

you guys should know that I'm the one with the true story about Zippy,  He was my friend, ally, quiet companion and I was very saddened by the accident.  I hung with him the week after and we bonded.  I loved caring for him and trying to give him a feeling of safety.  He knew I was safe.  It was a week later that he got beat up by our neighbor's dog, and, well, Zippy had arthritus and I think he was in a lot of pain.  He talked to me on the way to the vet hospital, and I talked sweet to him... I sang to him and he sang back to me.  He let me know we were cool and he was down with the next great adventure.  It was a painful goodbye for me because he understood me and I didn't need a translater.   

Oh Zippy, the stories you could tell... well, I thought I should submit one of my stories for the sake of honor.  Or at least your ashes in that funky little tin.  You've been a great spor