Man's Best Friend

Three months ago, a stranger came and took shelter at my home. He was shivering, hungry and tired. Lost and alone with no where to go because the place he called home was destroyed by yellow giants that breathed dark smoke through their noses.
Now, he is no stranger anymore, but a friend. But it is today that it was his last day being with us, for today he was taken away.

I will tell you a tale of a creature that changed our perception on how we look at things. A gentleman, loyal friend and a survivor of odds. His (or rather "its") name is Buddy.

Late last year, Buddy came and sought refuge at my house porch from the December rain. At the back of the hill that I'm staying near, there were lots of new development going on and I think that must have caused it to move out to seek refuge among us humans. We we're curious why this dog never left after the rain. We decided to leave it alone and perhaps it will leave later.
The next morning, we saw this lean golden brown dog still sleeping under the hood of the car, perhaps he finds it warm under the engine. Again we left it alone and thought it would leave.

Days go by and still this dog refused to take its leave and continued to sleep at the same spot. Whenever we walked out of the door, it would be alerted and will make way for us to walk past him so as to not obstruct our coming and going. (Such gentleman -- or rather gentledog)

Christmas came and Ivy came back from Singapore and learnt of this dog that was staying outside our porch. It never bothered us so we didnt think of forcing it to leave.. but mom actualy didnt like pets. Ivy started to call it "Buddy", after that we all also started to address him as "Buddy". So that was how "Doggy" got its name "Buddy"

As days went by, it became much closer to family. I wasnt around much as I was in UM during the weekdays, but it seems that he recognises me. Dad began feeding it, mom didnt wasnt really bothered about the dog because he always avoided us so as not to obstruct our activities. When mom goes out to dry the clothes, he will move aside and watch her hang up the wet clothes in the sun. He would also walk beside us when we go down the street just as close company.

There were many nights especialy in February, I would just sit out in the moonlight in the wee hours of the morning when everyone's asleep but he was there. I began to move closer to him and he would let me pet his head. I've been in really close proximity and he would actualy move closer. A true friend even in the late hours.

I would begin to whisper my prayers to God and he would sit by me to listen. I dont know if he understands anything at all (well I doubt it anyway) but his presence being so close makes me feel that there is a friend close by. At times like these I would gaze into its eyes and wonder, if there is a soul in such a creature. Meek and Loyal, a true friend who sits quietly beside you and listens to what you say.

I wonder do "All dogs go to heaven"??

Late February, Buddy got involved in an accident. He was hit by a truck while it was resting in the middle of the street. His fore-right limb was crushed and he could not walk properly after that. Thankfully he was spared of his life, but we got a little worried because his wounds were open and there was no way that we could assist him because we were afraid to go near him. I've tried to draw closer to him after that but he would evade me. Perhaps he thought that it would trouble us more to care for him. So for the rest of the days Buddy grew thinner because it couldnt move much and spent most of the time resting behind our cars.

Today, a day to be remembered. It was the day we last see Buddy. The dog catchers came and took him away. Just when Buddy was getting better, just when he was almost fully recovered from his open wounds (though he may never walk again). Although handicapped, Buddy did put up a great struggle from 5 men who poised to capture him ... dead or alive. It was a struggle between life and death, decides if he would continue to live here or die tonight.

There is so much more I want to talk about Buddy.
He's changed my way of looking at animals
He's changed my mothers affections towards pets/pests
He's drawn out a deep sense of care for animals from my dad
He's became my lil brother's "first pet"

Good friend, I will surely miss you~!

-in rememberance of Buddy-
24th March 2006