?A/N: Still working on stories. I want to give my readers SOMETHING, so here's a quick one-shot that I've been randomly thinking about for the past three weeks.

Because Of Winn-Dixie: Nineteen Years Later…

by Zachary Krishef

It's been a long time since the day Winn-Dixie came into my life. A lot of things have changed since then. I've grown older, and, I'd like to think, a little bit smarter. The days of calling Steve and Dunlap "bald-headed babies" are over. We even meet up once in a while and talk about the past.

Winn-Dixie passed on long ago, maybe eight years after I got him. I was heartbroken when it happened, but I had my friends to comfort me. Otis played a little song at the funeral, Gloria Dump buried a small pile of peanut butter, and even Amanda wasn't as pinch-faced. We started getting along better, maybe because we both had a tragedy in our lives.

Looking back on it, the most surprising reaction was from the Winn-Dixie store manager. He was so angry when old Winn was tearing through the store, but, to look at him, you'd think that he was the owner, not me. I later realized that he actually arrived with semi-tarnished intentions. Winn-Dixie's friendly manner was boosting his store's popularity, and he wanted to keep some of it by making an appearance. I guess I can't blame him, though. He was a good dog and everyone should remember him.

Winn-Dixie will always have a special place in my heart. I'll always miss his big grin, the way his tail thumped on the ground, and the way he seemed to bond with everyone around him like they were old friends.

Sweetie Pie was very upset. She'd gotten her own puppy two years earlier and it had puppies with Winn-Dixie. We gave them away to most everyone in the town in honor of him.

I'll always miss you, Winn-Dixie. I love you.