Gallup Sun • Friday February 17, 2017

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Juan de Oñate career fair. Page 15

VOL 3 | ISSUE 98 | FEBRUARY 17, 2017

EXCLUSIVE

JUSTICE FOR MOMO By Babette Herrmann Sun Editor

A

man is wanted for the alleged killing of a family pet whose loss has scorched the heart of a local woman. Little Momo, a chihuahua and mini-pincher mix was the pride and joy of Michelle B e g ay. He w a s a l i v i n g

memory, a connection to her sister who died in an head on collision about four years earlier. At the funera l ser v ice, Momo, barely a year then, jumped into her lap and the two instantly bonded. M ichel le sa id t hat she wasn’t ready for a pet, still grieving after recently losing her beloved German Shepard

of 12 years. But she felt a connection – Momo selected her as her new mom, and in turn she wanted to give Momo the best life possible. “She was my coping mechanism,” Michelle said. Momo a lso helped her deal with compounded grief. Michelle had lost her young daughter in an accident when the vehicle they were riding in

Beloved family pet slain; suspect wanted

was struck by an intoxicated driver. In a way, Momo was her daughter. “She was my dog and I lost her. She looked after me and protected me.” N a t u r a l l y, M i c h e l l e entrusted those around her to accept Momo as part of the family. T h i s i nc lude d Nel s o n Begay, Jr., 35, a family friend

of 20 years, an indirect relation, and promising student. He came to live with her family last summer in exchange for helping out around the hou s e . T he f a m i ly e ve n bought him a new mattress so he could sleep comfortably. Michelle said her mom

MOMO | SEE PAGE 10


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