Doggie endeared herself to the writer's family with her thoughtful, loving ways. Photo: Teresa W. S. Ong
Many years ago, a stray dog who often slept behind a row of shophouses near my home befriended my family dog, Koko. She began joining Koko for evening walks and, before long, started guarding our house voluntarily. It was as though she had adopted us.
One Lunar New Year’s Eve, the stray came to our gate, seeking shelter to deliver her puppies. We gave her a safe space, and she stayed in our garden to raise her litter. She had nine adorable puppies, but unfortunately, no one was willing to adopt them. In the end, my parents had to send them to the SPCA. From that moment on, the stray made our home hers, and we welcomed her. We named her Doggie, though she was affectionately called "Gi".
