Introducing Max

Myra (Charlie's cousin and best friend) gave birth to three puppies last March. The puppies are mixed Japanese Spitz and Lhasa Apso. I wanted to adopt one of the puppies but understood that there are families already waiting for them.

Max, the only male puppy, was returned to my cousin last week because his adoptive parents found him too rambunctious. They realized that they cannot take care of the puppy, especially since they have a little girl who is afraid of it.

Thus, last week, my cousin asked me if I want to take care of Max.

I never expected that he will be my dog. In fact. I was already looking at other options. But, as I told my friends, it felt right. Max is adjusting wonderfully in our family. He is as naughty as any other puppy, easy to train and motivated by food.

When Charlie died last month, I said I will close this blog because I could not think how I would continue doing this anymore. But, I think Max deserves a voice too. And I think at the Rainbow Bridge, Charlie is nodding in approval.

Irene

Gratitude

Thank you for the support you have given me during this difficult time. I was really touched and found comfort as I tearfully read each and every comment posted. I'm especially thankful to our friends, Siku and her mom, Teddy Bear and his mommy, Prints and Angel Hana's mommy, Khyra, The Piappies, Lorenza, The Secretary and all the dogs living with them, especially Charlie's Kuya Jappy.

As I ponder about Charlie's death, the raw and painful reality that I will never see him again washes over me, reducing me to the crying wreck that I have been these past few days.

His sudden illness and death shocked me. Last week, he was playful and happy. Now, he is gone. Please hug your pets tightly tonight, show them your love, give them your attention and never take for granted the time you spend with them.

Its the little things I miss the most, his endearing habits and quirks.

I will never feel the careful but insistent gritting of his teeth on my jeans or my sleeve, his own way of saying "Hey, I missed you." I will never see that eager face, begging for an ice cube, whenever I would open the freezer. I will never see his special way of jumping, excited to go out for a walk, then, patiently staying still until I clip the leash on his collar. I will miss the doggy kisses he generously gives.

We buried Charlie in our family home outside the city, overlooking a lake. As we drove to his final resting place, I remembered all the wonderful times spent together, especially the trip to the beach we had last year.

Charlie taught me life lessons that I would never forget. He taught me the importance of cherishing family and loved ones. From him, I learned to believe in my own capacity to overcome adversities - to keep trudging, even in difficult moments, knowing that I will be able to get through it and everything will be alright. I am really fortunate to have known him.

Though I am still grieving, I find solace in the fact that he has moved on to a better place, happy and whole again. I love him so much and I would not be able to bear the thought of him suffering. I am happy that he is now running free at the Rainbow Bridge.

Farewell my love, my payaba. I will miss you forever.

Irene

Farewell to a friend

Dear everyone,

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful dog, Charlie, passed away at 8 'o clock this morning. The vet informed us that he had renal failure and they were unsuccessful in trying to resuscitate him. The news seems so unreal and I felt like I was floating for a few minutes and tried to suppress tears as I inform my family.

It was so hard seeing his cold, lifeless body on the operating table. I stroked his fur over and over again as I have done a thousand times before. Only now, I knew that this would be the last time I will be doing this. I stayed there, crying over his body for a long time. I keep rationalizing that this is not Charlie anymore, this is just his body, a representation of him. He has moved on to another place. Still, I could not bear the thought of leaving the only physical thing I have left of my baby.

I had so many plans for him. I could not wait to see him rough-house with the puppies, or sleep on the soft furry rug in my bedroom, or play in the new garden while I read, or take him with me to the many vacations I have been planning in my head. Today, all those plans suddenly vanished.

I keep repeating the past week over and over inside my head. I was trying to look at what went wrong and what I could have done to avert this situation. I know I have given him the best care, and I thought I would be able to spend a lot of years with him. I know that all these thoughts would be useless because no matter what I do now, nothing can bring Charlie back to me.

I came home to an empty house and was suddenly flooded with thoughts of him. All of his things were still around- his favorite stuffed bear on floor, his water bowl is in the kitchen, his red leash is behind the door. A thousand other memories I accumulated these past three years lingered in the house.

Many might not understand the deep sadness that I am feeling and would easily dismiss his death because he was "just a dog". But the loss is real. He was more than a pet, he was my fortitude, the inner strength I turn to whenever I am not doing well. I just need to hug him and all my worries and trepidation would disappear. We only spent three short years together but he has given me a lot. The tough times seemed easier knowing that I have a friend waiting at home who would always be there for me.

Thus, it is with a sad note that I close this blog I have dedicated for Charlie. This space would be a reminder of the short but wonderful years I have spent with him. I hope the entries and the photos gave you a glimpse of our life together. I have been very fortunate to have him as my pet and through him I have known wonderful friends, two-legged and four-legged alike. Thank you for visiting his blog, for posting your comments and for sharing your lives with us. I hope that you will not forget that even for a very short time, Charlie lived and in his own little way, he was able to make his family very very happy.

Irene

Thank you note

Hello everyone, thank you very much for all your prayers and healing vibes.

Here are my latest pictures. They were taken right after I came home from surgery. My new cone has polka dots, not very macho, but its already compromise- my mom wanted to get a pink one.

I felt well enough to come home yesterday. My mom took me to the newly-renovated house. I was doing well and slept most of the time, with my mom by my side. Whenever I would wake up, I keep looking at her and then would go back to sleep. My grandma was there also and fed me boiled chicken, exactly as my vet recommended.

However, at around 6 pm, I tried peeing but still wasn't able to do so. At 10 pm, the same thing happened. I was still straining and kept trying to do it but nothing was happening. After that, I felt really really bad and vomited the food I ate plus some brown liquid. I think I threw up at least three times. I was suddenly very sick and very very tired.

My mommy was really worried and wanted to take me to the vet. But, it was near midnight and the vet clinic was already closed. Still, she did not want to wait until the morning. She wanted the doctor to see me immediately. So, she called the vet asked if I could be checked that night.

We went back to the clinic that night. Because I was very weak, the vet stuck my arm with a needle and fed me water with medicines from a tube. They said that I might need a catheter for some days to help me pee and that my vomiting was probably a bad side effect from my anesthesia.

I stayed overnight at the vet. Today, I felt better and started eating again. I did not throw up anymore. My mom visited me but told me that I still have to stay here for at least another day so that my doctor can further monitor my condition. So, please continue sending healing vibes to help me get better really really soon.

Charlie

Healing vibes needed

Dear friends,

Charlie is in need of your healing vibes.

I bought him to the vet today to have him checked because he has been having a hard time peeing. When he took his Wellness Test a month ago, it revealed that all his vital organs were ok but there was an infection in his urinary tract, which we have been fighting off with antibiotics these past two weeks. Everything went ok, he remained my healthy and active boy. However, last Sunday, I noticed he has been straining in peeing and very little urine or none at all was coming out.

I brought him to the Vet yesterday where they inserted a catheter so he can pee. He was okay after that. But, since there has been no improvement after we went home, I brought him back for further tests. The vet suspects kidney stones are the culprit.

Anyone who has a beloved pet will attest to the stress that this news will bring. We have been very anxious about his health and the possibility of an operation. The move in day is this week, but the excitement of moving back to our house is marred by this sad news. So, kindly send us some prayers and healing vibes so that our little boy would be safe and healthy once again.

Thank you,

Charlie's mom

UPDATE:

April 28, 2010

The Vet found that the stones formed inside Charlie's bladder were blocking his urinary tract. He underwent surgery yesterday to remove the stones. He looked so sad when we left him again at the Vet's office before his operation and even sat by the (glass) door, looking at us, when we drove off.

The vet said we can see him today and take him home later. We pray that the operation was successful and that he will recover easily from his surgery.