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".
Gi quickly integrated into the family, enjoying daily walks with Koko. Despite Koko being the bossy older dog, often nudging Gi or even barking at her for winning a race, Gi didn’t mind. She adored Koko and always deferred to her. Their weekends were filled with trips to the beach or hiking trails, where Gi especially loved rolling in the soft sand after a swim. She also took great pleasure in "chatting" with the turtles at a nearby pond.
At home, Gi’s favourite spot was the kitchen, where she would sit and watch my mother cook dinner. On Saturdays, she’d position herself in front of the fridge, eagerly observing as my mum organised groceries. Gi was also my dad’s little helper, always nearby whenever he did house maintenance work. Her protective nature shone through, especially when she barked at the rubbish collectors, as if to warn them not to take anything from our house! Though she was friendly with other dogs in the neighbourhood, she made it clear they were not to come too close to me.
When Koko passed away from old age, another dog came into our lives – Hiro, a chubby, sweet dog who had been abandoned near our home. After much consideration, my parents allowed me to adopt him.
Hiro became Gi’s new younger brother, and she welcomed him with open paws. She shared everything with him – her toys, food, space, and most importantly, her love. The two formed a close bond, making countless memories together, including going on weekly car rides,.
Sadly, Hiro's time with us was short. Due to chronic spine issues and later liver failure, his health deteriorated rapidly. During those difficult months, our family focused on caring for Hiro, and Gi, ever the gentle soul, was independent yet loving, offering him her companionship.
When Hiro passed away in 2022, Gi was heartbroken. She kissed him goodbye as we placed him in the coffin, and tears rolled down her face – a heartbreaking testament to their deep bond.
Gi continued to receive our love and care. As she aged, she developed pancreatic issues, requiring daily pancreatic enzymes, which were expensive, but I saved up to ensure she got the treatment she needed. Her diet consisted of freshly prepared meals – mashed potatoes, carrots, boiled eggs, and chicken breast. Over time, her strength diminished, and she needed to be carried and handfed.
Although I lived abroad for work, I made it a point to video call Gi every week. At first, she wasn’t a fan of the phone, but over time, she got used to it and would sit attentively while I chatted with her, telling her about my life overseas. I even taught her to blink in response whenever I called her name or asked if she understood me. She also learned to watch television and enjoyed listening to Buddhist chants.
On the morning of April 29, Gi was weak and unable to eat much. My parents cleaned her up before leaving for work. When my father returned home at noon to check on her, Gi had passed away peacefully. I received the call during my lunch break, and though my heart was shattered, I found myself too numb to cry. My manager kindly allowed me to leave early so that I could attend Gi’s cremation via video call. We buried her ashes in our garden, under the papaya tree where Hiro rests.
Gi was not just a dog; she was a cherished member of our family. For 15 years, she gave us her unconditional love, from her energetic youth to her quiet days as a senior dog. Gi, I miss you deeply, and I will forever hold you in my heart.
Editor: Today is World Animal Day, and this year’s theme is 'The world is their home too'.
