I was 4 years old when my grandfather brought a puppy. He was all red and we called him Red. After that, it was a problem to drive me home, and if allowed, I would spend the night with him in the cabin.
I don't know what breed it was, but after 2 years, the Redhead grew up into a large, but not a wicked dog. I took him out without problems. He did not pay attention to the cats, and the bicycles followed with a sad look.
We walked out of the street into the forest. When they broke up, the Redhead ran from one to the other with a joyful whisper, as if warning no one to get lost.
In the winter we played snow. In the summer, he tried to catch the snow. And when he succeeded, he laughingly shrugged his head and whirled.
In the summer we went to the river. Rosic, swimming, lay on the suburb and laying his head on his legs, watched us. There we, from the bricks and a piece of iron plates brought, made a stove. On which they roasted crushed potatoes and bread. Then the red man sat next to him and waited for his share.
At the age of 12, my parents sent me to a pioneer camp. During the weekend they came to visit me. From the back door of the car jumped a red car. He dropped me to the ground, licking my face and hands.
Then we sat down and ate my grandmother’s cake.
To say goodbye, I waved my hand for a long time until the car was hiding behind the turn, and Ryzhik looked through the rear glass.
When his grandfather died, Rushik went to his booth and did not go out for three days. When he came out, I saw that he was grey.
By my 10th grade, Ryzhik no longer went with us into the woods, did not play in the snow. On the river he no longer swam, but lying on a hill, laying his head on his legs, dreamed.
After school I went to the institute. To say goodbye, I hugged Red and promised to come back. I looked around at the crossroads. The red man was sitting next to the roof and staring at me.
In the winter, after the session, I came home. The red man met me next to the cottage, as if he was not leaving. I hugged him and went home. I sat on the doorstep, and the Redhead sat next to me, laying his head on my knees. I smoothed him and told him about the institute, about communion. After a while the door of the house opened. My father went out, but when he saw me with the Redhead, he entered the house. Soon the red rose up. He licked me in the cheek with a dry and rough tongue and walked to his booth.
The next day we buried him in his favourite cave.
In the spring, the father planted a cedar plant in this place.
Cedar grew big and powerful. And now, when I come here with my grandchildren, he welcomes me with his feet.