King Frederick of Prussia once said, a dog is "a man’s best friend”. Since time immemorial, the only, absolute and best friend that a man has, in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog. To me, my dogs are the only family I have.
Being single, I decided to adopt dogs as my companions. As an independent animal rescuer, I adopted abandoned dogs.
Joey was my second dog, after Fiffy, since I moved out to stay on my own.
She had been abandoned at the food court in Menglembu, Ipoh. Her litter of pups were taken, leaving her all alone, her teats filled with milk. She was skinny and had little fur on her body. In spite of that, when she saw me, her face lit up – it was love at first sight.
I named her Joey for the joyful look she had. She was always smiling!
Joey warmed up to to Fiffy immediately and they became good pals even though at times there was some "sibling rivalry".
Once, my house was almost broken into while I was sleeping. The robbers succeeded in breaking the front gate padlock. But as they approached the main door, Joey – with her ferocious barking – sent the robbers fleeing. This woman has bodyguards safeguarding her.
While playing with me one day, Joey sniffed at me and placed her paw on my right breast, looking fearful, as if trying to convey a message. If only she could talk.
I did not understand her body language then and pushed her away. Later I got the diagnosis. But three months before the doctors could even diagnose me, Joey had already detected my cancer.
Remembering Joey brings wonderful memories. She loved the smell of food. She would always cuddle beside me while I watched TV. She had a childlike nature. She was my protector during our walks. She would never allow other dogs to come near me.
Being on cancer leave for two years brought Joey and me even closer. We were together almost 24/7. She was my companion after Fiffy’s demise and before I brought home Kiko, another stray. Kiko had lost her left eye, a victim of human brutality.
I took her to the vet Dr Kishen who diagnosed her with kidney failure. She also had tick parasites in her blood. She was admitted and treatment started immediately.
Perhaps I am to blame for being the "carrier" as I go around rescuing and feeding strays. I could have brought home the ticks. Despite keeping my dogs and my house super clean, and my constant checking, she was infested with ticks.
As her body lay in the furnace, I couldn’t believe my eyes – she looked exactly as she did the first time during her rescue: thin and frail. I bid her farewell as tiny drops of rain fell from the sky, and tears from my eyes.
I collected her ashes the next day and scattered them into the river. I regret that I was not with her during her last moments. Perhaps she did not want my presence which would have made it difficult for her to leave.
There’s emptiness in my home and in my life. The joy that Joey brought into my life will be cherished.
Sometimes I wake up at night, thinking Joey is at my bedside, snoring away. Then I tearfully realise that she has gone. The pain of losing one’s beloved pet is so devastating.
Goodbye for now, my little angel, till we meet at the Rainbow Bridge. It may not be heaven, but to me: “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." – Will Rogers
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