About a dog

Once a upon a time, my mom had a big dog called Bruce. Brucey was a mixed-breed dog. His mother was a Dalmatian and his father was an Aspin (Asong Pinoy).

Her relationship with this dog had an ominous start. The first time she met him, he was hiding under the table. My mom greeted him and held out her hand. He growled at her. She later found out that he was brought there inside a bag so it was easy to understand why he was stressed and wary of strangers.

When he was a puppy, Brucey chewed everything - slippers, books, table legs, chairs, and even the washing machine hose! He had boundless energy and zipped through the house, breaking anything that came in contact with his wagging tail or his huge paws. My grandma was so exasperated that she decided that they should just give him up. But, my mom pleaded and, in the end, they decided to give him another chance.

Brucey had so many behavioral problems; he was very hyper, had separation anxiety and even aggressive at times. Mom really struggled in socializing him and in teaching him proper manners. He was also a leash puller which was a big problem since he weighed almost the same as my mom. One time he pulled so hard, my mom tripped and was left with scrapes of varying sizes and colors on her knees.

Despite his flaws, Brucey was loved and accepted as part of the family. He turned out to be one intelligent and loving dog. He just needed an outlet to release pent-up energy. My mom enjoyed running with him and taking long walks at night. My mom took him to different places to run and play. He was a good companion, playmate and friend. That is why she was so worried when Brucey became very sick. Despite trying very hard to save him, his condition worsened. He passed away on January 30, 2007. He was only 6 years old.

My mom was devastated. She knew no other dog could be like Bruce. She was cautious to get a new one immediately after his death because she did not want to get a dog just to replace him. She said it would not be fair to Bruce or to the new dog. Months later, she was still not very excited when her family suggested a new dog – a two-month-old japanese spitz.

After she met me, all her apprehensions disappeared. Yes, she still missed Brucey but she figured that one can never really forget the loss of a beloved pet. Getting a new dog does not mean she would have to divide the love she have for Brucey. She learned early on that I have a different personality and was never a replacement dog. I guess the timing was just perfect. She was ready to move on and take care of another dog. I was looking for someone who would spoil and love me.