My sister’s nickname is La Eriza. “Isa, the Hedgehog” because ever since I can remember and from day one of her existence, I’ve always managed to drive her crazy, and her tantrums are worse than the devil’s. It’s funny because it comes from the cute, exaggerated metaphor of a small, spiky animal that overreacts to perceived threats, making the person seem less intimidating and more endearing despite their temper. She dishes it out but can never take it. But I guess that’s normal for younger siblings.

My relationship with her has always been an inconsistent balance—one day all the weight leans to one side, and the next day it swings to the opposite. In the morning, we’re enemies, and by the afternoon, we’re best friends.

Despite our fights and arguments, she’s my life companion, and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. Well, one day I almost did—for Miko. Jejeje, sorry, not sorry.

One Sunday afternoon, my mom, my sister, and I went to the movies at Harbor in Mérida. When we left, I saw a giant sign that read “Sanando Patitas,” an
animal rescue organization that finds families for rescued pets. Beneath it was the cutest brown and black puppy, chubby, with a dragon tail. I petted him for a moment, as I do with all dogs that cross my path, but this time it was different. I picked him up, looked into his eyes, and he licked my face. I knew I had found him a home: mine.

“Mom, Isa, I’m going to adopt him. I’m not asking for permission. With my job, I can take care of him,” I said assertively without hesitation.

“Ale, no. It’s too much responsibility, and when are you
planning to do this? You’re always working and going to school,” Danycot replied.

“Yeah, Ale. I’m not taking any responsibility for him. I
want to enjoy my student life without having to worry about anything,” said the Hedgehog.

“Isa, seriously, you wouldn’t have to do anything. I’ll take him for walks, feed him, take him to the vet. You won’t even have to touch him,” I said, holding Miko up to her face. “I mean, just look at him, how can you say no?”

The lady from Sanando Patitas laughed and told us his name was Dito. He had been rescued from a house where he was dying from heat in the yard, without food, and covered in fleas. Well, technically, he hadn’t been rescued but stolen, hence his name, “Dito.”

“Alessandra, you don’t live alone. Your sister doesn’t want a dog, and this is a decision that has to be made together. Let’s go,” my mom scolded.

“But look at his little face,” I started tearing up.

“Ale, are you seriously going to cry? Come on,” said the Hedgehog.

At that moment, I couldn’t let go of him nor hold back my tears. I didn’t want to leave him. I leaned into his ear and whispered, “I will be your mother. I will take care of you. I will come back for you. I promise.” Dramatic music played in the background as we left for home.

“Ale, I really don’t want you to adopt that dog. I’m telling
you now, besides, he’s ugly.”

“Mom, don’t say those things about your grandchild. That’s mean.”

“Yeah, but seriously, I don’t want dogs right now, Ale. Maybe in January, I’ll change my mind,” Isa reiterated.

On Monday morning, I messaged the organization to ask for information and started the adoption process. The stars had aligned for a surprise for my sister since she was going to CDMX that weekend for an audition. I coordinated with Sanando Patitas, and on Saturday, they brought Dito to my house. He was wearing a rainbow collar with a bow and was bursting with energy. He recognized me immediately and got so excited he peed. I picked him up and said:

“See? A promise is a promise. Welcome to your new home. Wait
until you meet your other mom. She’s going to be so surprised.”

They gave me the adoption papers and warned me that there were no returns, just a 15-day adjustment period. I took him to the vet to buy flea meds and for a general check-up. He was perfect. The day before, I had gone shopping. I bought him a giant, cushy bed, the best dog food, a toy set, treats, a collar, and a leash. I decided to name him Miko, clearly because of my current obsession. I had just dressed up as Young Miko for Halloween, and I couldn’t get her song “Wiggy” out of my head.

The weekend ended, and on Monday, I skipped school so I wouldn’t leave Miko alone since Hedgehog would be arriving early in the morning. We woke up cuddled together, and I took him to the yard to pee and play in the grass. We went back to my room so I could explain to him that he was going to meet my sister. A few minutes passed, and I heard her arrive. She knocked on the door, and I hid Miko under the blankets.

“Ale, why did you miss school?”

“It’s just that I…”

“Woof!!!”

Miko jumped off the bed. Isa laughed. Everything was fine.

“I can’t believe it.”

“I know, he’s gorgeous.”

“No, I told you I really didn’t want a dog.”

“Isa, he stole my heart. I couldn’t abandon him. I promise
you won’t have to do anything. He behaves incredibly well, and he already knows not to pee inside the house.”

Isa picked him up, and at that exact moment, he peed all over her shirt. It was the drop—literally—that spilled her anger.

“ALE, NO. YOU’RE CRAZY. I DON’T WANT A DOG. TAKE HIM BACK.
NOW.”

“Isa, don’t shout, you’ll scare him.”

“YOU DIDN’T RESPECT MY BOUNDARIES. I DON’T WANT HIM IN THE
HOUSE. SERIOUSLY.”

“I’m not taking him back. I’m serious. He’s my son.”

It was like we were a divorced couple arguing intensely. She stormed out of the room and locked herself in her own. My mom called me.

“ALESSANDRA, I want you to call right now to return him. I
can’t believe you defied me like this.”

“Mom, I can’t return him. I signed a contract.”

“Then find yourself another house. Your sister didn’t want a
dog, so either she goes or the dog does.”

“Then the dog stays. I’m not returning him.”

“You’re being so rude. I can’t believe you’d choose that
ugly dog you just met over your sister for life.”

“You don’t understand, we have a different connection.”

“Stop saying nonsense. Wait until I tell your dad. Return
the dog, or I’m coming back right now to give him back. I’m serious.”

She wasn’t serious, obviously. She hung up without saying goodbye. But I was afraid of my dad’s reaction. I knew what awaited me, and I was ready to face the consequences. My phone rang again—it was Danycot.

“Alessandra, call them now to return him.”

“I really can’t, it’s in the contract.”

“STOP LYING. CALL NOW TO RETURN HIM.”

“I’m not lying. There’s only a 15-day adjustment period.”

“WELL, THEN HE’LL BE GONE IN TWO WEEKS.”

She hung up again, and I broke down crying. Miko got scared and started jumping on me.

“My love, don’t worry. You’re not going anywhere,” I told
him through sobs while kissing his little head.

I started putting together a presentation on the benefits of having a dog for ADHD and emotional well-being, the budget it would require, and his backstory. I had to be prepared for the call from Terror—I mean Terro, my dad.

That afternoon, I got his call. He was quite calm, he only said he was
disappointed and that he wouldn’t support me. That was worse. My sister and I didn’t speak to each other for an entire week.

However, over the weekend, when I came back from the store and entered her room, she was cuddled up with Miko in bed.

“You’re right. He’s beautiful.”

“Told you. We’re his mommies, his new family.”

“But you did go too far, Ale.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” I apologized sincerely. “But look at what I’ve already taught him.”

I said, “High Five,” and Miko gave me his paw, then lay down and sat up on command. My sister was no longer hedgehog-like but overjoyed to have a fur baby. I knew that would happen, and in 15 days, no one was going anywhere.

I think that was our most serious argument, and I hope it’s the last. I don’t have enough words to thank her for all the support she gave me this year. I can’t imagine how difficult and complex it must have been to support someone with severe depression. Alone, being the youngest. Starting from scratch, trying to enjoy her life at the same time.

She would come in every morning after my dad’s 5:30 a.m.
call to turn on the light for me. Sometimes she would make me breakfast, and when I missed my classes, she would bring food to my room and wouldn’t leave until I finished it. She encouraged me to get ready and invited me to all her plans. She explained to my teachers and friends that I had frequent migraines, the reason for so many absences, and my unusual behavior. She accompanied me to my psychiatrist appointments to give me emotional support and made sure I took my medication. She endured my rude replies and existential questions. She constantly updated my parents and my boyfriend, who would send her messages
worried because I wouldn’t answer his calls or texts all day. It wasn’t the first time for her, either, taking care of me when that monster took over.

I admire her patience and the kind love she has always given
me and everyone around her. She has an incredible tenderness and love, always wanting to hug everyone, something I’ve learned from her. “La Eriza” has been a wonderful life teacher. She has taught me that she has a superpower: her voice.
She sings so beautifully that she has moved her listeners to tears. She is
beautiful inside and out, very wise despite being so young. She is incredibly empathetic and understanding, with a very sensitive soul. I admire her strength to get up after falling, breaking her arm, almost dying on barbed wire after being catapulted off a four-wheeler, and being attacked by a stingray. Yes, all of that happened to her, luckily not on the same day.

Her-ma-na, thank you for accompanying me on this journey.
Thank you for your love and patience. Thank you for all our stories and memories. Thank you for being Miko’s other mommy. Thank you for always taking care of me and supporting me, even though many times, I didn’t deserve it.
Thank you for being my sister. And even though it’s often hard for me to say, I love you.