Lucky Dog

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

A Dog Philosophy

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Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease......in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her....what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap...

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky, he still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember......live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!

- Courtesy of Godvine

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Promises to My Dog

Shiela & Ogie Tamayo with their pet Lab SAM

I love cats and dogs. I can’t remember how many felines and mutts I used to pet since my childhood. However, one special dog stand out above the rest. He was very special because he was different. He was born with only three legs. For that reason and because my father considered it as a runt, he threw the puppy in the sewerage, alive. My mother couldn’t take the puppy crying. As soon as my father was away, my mother rescued the poor fellow, gave it a bath, fed it and gave it to her friend. Despite the puppy’s condition, the new owner loved the dog, made him felt special and he grew up happy and fulfilled. I believe that when we share our life, time and love to others, we also get the same in return.

Below would be your dog’s expectations from you:

1.    My life lasts only up to 15 years human age. Before you buy me, remember that separation from you will make me miss you and is so painful on my part.

2.   Please don’t be short-tempered, irritable or impatient with me. Give me time to know what you want from me.

3.   Respect is earned and not given as some kind of inalienable right. Place your faith in me and I will always trust you back.

4.    Please don’t be angry with me for too long. Don’t lock me up when you punish me. I am incapable of understanding why you locked me up. The only thing I will know is that I’ve been rejected by you. I only have you, while you have your friends, work and other entertainment.

5.    Take time to talk to me. I may not understand your words, but I can clearly understand your tone. Look at my tail and you will know.

6.      I will never forget however you treat me. That treatment may be unjust or bad, I will not let it spoil our special bond together.

7.      Never hit me for I can never hit back. I can bite and scratch but I will never have the need to do that.

8.   Please be considerate of how I feel before you tell me that I am lazy, uncooperative, or stubborn. Something could be wrong with me or perhaps I am not eating the right food, or been out in the sun for too long, or maybe my heart is already getting old and weak.

9.    Don’t leave me when I grow old. Take care of me. You too will grow old and you will also want to be taken cared of and loved.

10.  Be with me on difficult journeys. Everything is easier for me when you are there. Please don’t forget that whatever you do, I will always love you.

Of all the wonderful treasures in this world, there will be nothing more precious to anyone than giving them a piece of your heart. Every time you share the goodness of your heart, you always end up winning because LIFE IS AN ECHO. It bounces back to you when you have given.

My Grateful Tab RANGO

It was a downpour August 1995. I was on my way to Cubao to take a bus going to Baguio City. I was doing my postgraduate studies every Saturday then in Saint Louis University. I was nearing Victory Liner station when I heard kitten cries under an overpass. I went to check it and I saw 2 abandoned kittens. They've got colds, their eyes were covered with their morning glories and they were soaked under the rain. I was always prepared in times like this. I always carried with me extra cloth (face / hand towels), water and food. I picked up the 2 kittens and luckily there was a shoe store nearby. I bought a box, fixed the cloth there and placed the 2 abandoned kittens inside. On my way to Baguio, I dried and cleaned the 2 fellows, gave them food and made warm bed for them. They stopped crying. They slept inside the shoe box, on my lap.

After my Saturday classes, I meet with my younger sister, Shirley and youngest brother, John Karlo who were both doing their engineering studies in Saint Louis University. Then comes Mommy on Sundays to visit us. I handed the box over to her and she knew exactly what were inside. My brother gave names to the kittens. The female kitten was named Ming (she was tri-colored), while the male kitten was named Gorang (he was biscuit brown). He was named that way because he wasn't as cute and adorable as Ming. Gurang means old and ugly.

I've rescued no less than 20 cats in 3 years. All of these I gave to Mommy for her care. Mommy is a feline lover herself. Daddy and Mommy's place in Manaoag is the best place to raise pets. They lived in a farm.

A couple of years later, and several new cats as additions, Ming grew up so beautifully. Gorang, on the other hand has morphed into a dashing biscuit brown tomcat. He doesn't deserved the name Gorang anymore. My brother changed it to RANGO (just invert Gorang to Rango) and he personally took good care of Rango. 

Year 2004, 9 years human age or 63 feline years for Rango. Ming has left the clan already and went to have a family of her own with her found true love and his human family. While Rango stood to be the father for the rest of Mommy's cats. 

It was a downpour late night August 2004 when Mommy heard kitten cries under the cupboard. She got up and went downstairs to check. Rango brought home 2 kittens and had rescued the fellows from the rain. Rango was drying (leaking) them on his personal bed (an old chair covered with foam and old cloth). Rango was worried and as if asking for Mommy's help. Mommy helped Rango dried the kittens and gave them milk to drink. Rango never left the 2. They all had wonderful days ahead. 

Rango was no longer at the pink of his health. Rheumatism hit him. And before the cats he once rescued could have families of their own, Rango passed away. Mommy dug a hole in one of the shady mango trees and laid Rango's body there.

Who could have said that pets like cats just eat, play and sleep all the rest of their lives? Who would have thought that such creatures could return the same favor(s) they once had from others? 

Here you go Rango. I made this just for you. You've inspired me to write your life story long ago and it took me years before I could finally write this. I'll never forget you. You've gone where no other cats have gone and you've done not most cats would have done. This one's for you my grateful tab. My Rango.

photo courtesy of chris pagalanan