Casino是凱西阿姨家的黃金獵犬，對於愛狗的凱西來說，自從有了他，就像是生命中多了一位多毛、貪吃的小弟一樣。記得兩個人剛在一起的時候，凱西曾說，如果假日要選陪我或陪Casino，她一定會陪Casino多一點，為此我大為不解：竟拿毛小孩跟人類比，真是......
然而3年多的相處，我才發現，原來毛小孩真的是會讓人想要多陪他們一點。
2013年1月，我跟凱西陪Casino到信義計畫區逛街，當天的行程、情景現在想起來還歷歷在目：Casino帶著我們穿縮在香堤大道，不斷引來路人的目光與稱讚；我們到春水堂吃飯，Casino則靜靜地、很乖地將他龐大身軀藏在桌底下，等著我們用餐完畢；我們買了一大包的繼光香香雞，緩緩散步到了信義路旁的公園，開始玩著狗追人、人追狗的遊戲，然後讓Casino享用他的香香雞大餐。
這是我們最後一次陪Casino出門。
四天後，Casino在水邊玩，水蛭進入鼻孔，因為獸醫麻醉處理劑量失常的意外走了。我在獸醫院的急診室中，看著泣不成聲的凱西跟Casino的家人，心底有著某一塊地方被淘空的感覺。即使我見到Casino的機會不多，但卻能確切感受到他對我的熱情與信賴，還有總是在身邊繞來繞去的溫暖。
原來毛小孩走了，竟會那麼痛。
兩年過去了，Casino的骨灰先進駐了靈骨塔，後來又移往了淡水，種在山上，化為一顆小小的桂花樹，凱西的阿姨跟姨丈不時會來探望他，我則是睽違已久才又見到他。許久不見，樹高離他的身高還有一段距離，但桂花樹仍在成長茁壯。捏掉了幾枚蟲蛀的樹葉，姨丈說：過了冬天，今年就把你帶回家種。
多虧了Casino，讓我再也不怕狗，忘掉了小時曾被野狗追逐、逃到樓頂無路可退的恐懼，甚至開始會去試著跟狗說話、跟狗一起玩。
謝謝你Casino。可惜沒能說再見，我好想念你！
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Dogs and cats are called "furkid" not only because their bodies are covered with fur, but also because their hosts regard pets as kids. I never realized that a furkid would enrich my life until I met Casino, a smart, patient and handsome Golden Retriever raised by my wife's family.
I can still recall the day Cathy and I brought Casino to Taipei City Hall, walking him along the department store pavement, and playing with him all day long. Four days later, he suddenly passed away, and the day became our last memory together.
His body was cremated and buried on a mountain in northern Taiwan. A sweet olive tree was planted with his ashes. We visited him several times over the years, and decided to take the sweet olive tree home with us this year.
I miss Casino so much. He changed my attitude toward dogs: Casino taught me through his patience and passions. Ever since I met him, I stopped feeling frighten when facing big dogs, and even started to play with them.
文 / 游祥威
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