Enter Togi. While Shep was the family dog, one of Pop's friends asked if we would adopt his collie, Togi. Reluctantly, Pop agreed and now we had the rivalry between Shep and Togi. They soon settled their differences and became "friends."

Togi bonded to Sis, just like Shep bonded to me. But Togi had a problem we didn't know about: she chased cars. Now why would a dog chase cars? They can't catch them. Suppose they did. What would they do with it? Bite the tires? The big car chase became her downfall.

I was in college when I got a letter from Mom. It was really sad.

One day, Togi was chasing a car. Pop was outside drunk as a skunk. Mom was in the house and heard a loud noise. She said it sounded like a gun going off. She went to the window and Pop, staggering, had shot Togi with his pistol. Mom screamed at him when she saw Togi yelping and crawling towards him. She said it was like the dog was begging for mercy. He shot again and missed. A third shot and he hit her again. Mom was helpless to do anything for fear he would, in his enraged and drunken stupor, aim the pistol at her. One more shot and Togi lay motionless. Mom never told Sis what really happened; she just said Togi was killed by a car.

I am quoting from the Alcoholics Anonymous web site: "AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. AA does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."

I have one other thought: all kids need a father, just like they need a mother. I had a father but I had no respect for him. But before he came under the domination of the bottle he was a good dad. As you have learned, he became a monster and I hated him. But at least I did have a father. There lots of kids who never had a dad. I feel badly for them.