A Dog's Life - Benethon

It was the moment that I was given 10 years ago in year 2000. I remembered we just shifted and my mum bought me a dog to accommodate me during the times I'm alone when all my siblings are overseas. Life was busy those times in high school. Hardly ever find any time for anything else. However, it's lucky that I had it by my side.

The first time I met it, it was so cute n small. It's only two weeks old and I can carry it just on my arms. He was snowy white with no clear distinction between a dog or a sheep. I fed him milk everyday and carried him all the time. He was like a baby to me, not to mentioned, everytime I leave him, he'll squeeck to ask me back. I know he always does and I'll go back once awhile. However, I have other priorities and time is always an issue. The first time he stepped into the garden was so adorable. He had the little nose sniffing ard the grass while wagging his small tail. He didn't even dare to cross the drain at the side of the house. I pushed him through and he was shivering, yet made it at last. Then he just continue hopping to and fro.

After several weeks, he had able to walk and run much more. The problem was his teeths are growing and it gets itchy during those time. Countless slippers and shoes left marked by his mouth-prints. We needed to kept him away in the cage almost all the time unless I come by visiting.

As he is a golden retriever, his furrs grow abundance. He gets hot easily. Therefore, he LOVe bathing. He didn't like it the 1st time, probably because the water was cold. Then, as I slowly brushed him and wash him, he start to like it. He likes that moment that he can swing ard and dry himself. He's so smart that he know when I allow him to do so.

In several months time, I think just 2 months maybe? He grown almost full size. His furr was mixed of snow white and golden yellow. Apparently it changed due to his exposure to the M'sian sunlight. He never changed to be so mischievious. He often had so much energy and run around all the time. He'd sleep in the drain, pee near the mango tree, bark randomly when anything passby, and still wants me to pamper when he sees me, never changed before.

As often did I when I didn't find time to spend with him, I feel guilty. Then, I made a promise that at least every evening to look for him. I'd brush him, talk to him and carry him, although not as easy as before. We often take a walk or run around the housing area and get dogs bark. Sometimes even involved in a fight. Well, these are usual events, yet he knows my tolerance and he'd be a good boy. Strangely there's once in a fight that I wanted to penalise him, yet at a split second, he became friend with the other dog. I was surprised and realised that I was wrong for so long. Perhaps he's just so friendly to approach other dogs and trying to befriend them. Maybe other dogs get some nerve when others get into their comfort zone suddenly and being defensive and try to fight back.

Then in Form 4 onwards, I often had PE exams on running. Therefore, I'd drag Ben for a run every evening. I used to be a short runner, but I must say, he improved my stamina by not letting me give up when I wanna slow down. He seems to know what I wanted, and I always know what he wanted.

He's like the closest friend I've ever had in my life. I'd tell him anything, as in anything that I assume he understands me. He'll just sit there and look ard, then I shall snare him peeping at me for awhile telling me "What's this guy telling me? :p" and continue look elsewhere. Well, he's just so loving and just sit by myside everytime. He's a good friend with great heart.

I still rmb leaving for Aus, I missed him so much. Everytime I come back and visit, I'd accommodate him all the time and take him out. Sometimes my bro n I will drive him to the field n play with him there. He just like sticking out his head and enjoy the ride. Haha, I feel pretty arrogant everytime bringing him out as he will attract the crowd everywhere.

The day do us apart, was the day I shifted to BU. It was a small garden with no space at all for him. We often fear we'll knock him when we park the car or something. My mum finally gave him away to a friendly colleague. I didn't visit him since then. Until today, that I received news that he's sick. His kidney is failing and he is in pain. It's unbearable and he's vomiting blood. I cannot bear seeing him later. I really felt a part of me being lost.