Caneeliea Dot Com

*I want to document this day as detailed as I could, so please bear the long tribute post*

Even though he was an over-hyper dog that always got on everyone’s nerves, he had always been my favourite pet. Wait.. to those of you who knows me would know that I treated Bruno MORE than just a pet! I actually treated him like a child, and would mother him every chance I get! How he loved the attention! Even though he was a huge and a very ‘garang’ one, deep inside he had a heart of a puppy, bursting with endless energy and curiosity, and never failed to bring a smile to my face everytime I see him. When I wake up, I would check and see what both him and my other dog were doing. In the afternoon, I would try and sneak Bruno inside the house to either the living room or the kitchen (depending on where I was) to accompany me whenever I can.. and before I go to sleep, I would always try to wish them good night and cover them with their blankets. That was what I have been doing for the last (almost) 7 years.

But these last 1 week and a half, Bruno had been feeling really sick, and even refused to eat. He would be really tired and his legs would give out whenever he tried to walk. A couple of days ago when he tried to get up and walk to get a drink, I saw that he fell back down hard and even slammed his face and chin on the floor. Twice. It was really painful to watch. I had to hold on to his chains and put my other hand on his lower body to support him walk so that he won’t fall again. And he got skinny. Like skeleton skinny.

And today, for the whole day, he just sat in one spot and didn’t move at all. He wouldn’t even look at me when I called his name. Bad sign. Usually, when I go over to him, he would at least acknowledge me by turning his head, and wagging his tail. But today, there was none of these at all. Even after I stroked his head a few times, he didn’t even bother to look at me, and it looked like he was having trouble breathing. I knew the end was close for him, but I just told him to be strong and had mom to help me feed him porridge.

I was out the whole day today (to attend Good Friday mass), and only managed to be back after dinner, around 9-ish pm. I saw that he was still at the same spot as he was this morning. Then mom and I fed him again, and this time, we noticed he was weaker than before, and didn’t even have the strength to hold his head up while we feed him. And I could see his eyes became more and more watery.. almost like he was crying.

After we were done feeding him, mom and I had to push him (we can’t carry him cuz he’s too big) to his usual sleeping spot, and I then cleaned his body with a wet cloth, and talked to him softly. Seems like he was listening (or I’d rather think so), but there he goes again with his watery eyes. After I finished cleaning him, I covered him up with his blanket, and accompanied him for a while outside. When I saw he started to close his eyes, I whispered my good night to him before heading upstairs to my room. I was already crying by then; it’s just so sad to see that he has to suffer like that and there’s nothing I can do to make him feel better. WC told me to just be strong, and that Bruno WILL feel better.

But about 1/2 hour later, mom and bro told me to come down quickly as they saw Bruno isn’t moving and breathing anymore. We all went out to see and I touched him and confirmed that he has died, and has been so for a while (maybe 10-20 minutes?) He was already cold and hard, with eyes and mouth opened.

Mom wanted to just bury him at our backyard, but I wanted him to be cremated, and luckily WC and bro agreed with me. So they made plans and did some phone calls and concluded that tomorrow morning (Saturday), Bruno will be cremated.

Update: Here’s what Bruno’s little altar looks like now (with his urn), which is put outside our house near where he used to sleep. We hope he likes it..

~~~~~~

Below are more pics of Bruno from the past that I have taken, and the story that goes with it. Will post more if I find anymore of his pics on my blog that aren’t in here yet..

15th February, 2008

It was my doggies turn to model by themselves! First up, Bruno! This is his only nice and clear pic, and most of his pics, he looked like this anyway. He rarely smiles lah this dog! So serious lookin’!

4th October, 2007

A favourite pic of mine (even though it’s blur), simply because Bruno was smiling in this pic (I only have 2 pics of him actually smiling)

This is a usual scene at our kitchen door when we’re having our meals; they’d stand or sit right outside the door, wagging their tails and waiting for us to feed them as well.

FYI, Bruno would bark like crazy at strangers and even bite them if the people they do not know force their way into our house. So jaga2 la u guys when you come to my house ah.. LOL!

18th January, 2008

It was only today that I got to see my 2 dogs chew on their bone treat side by side on the grass!

This is unusual because they would usually get into a fight when eating right next to each other. Jealousy and selfishness on the food are usually the reason behind the argument between these 2 dogs.

So it’s nice to see them chewing peacefully today.

Another favourite picture of my dogs, with Bruno smiling, the 2nd photo of him doing so.

~~~~~~

Bruno, next month would have been your 7th birthday. It has been such a joy to have you in our life, especially mine. Kesian that you had to have stomach cancer and fall sick so many times when you were alive, and that you had to go in and out of the vet clinic and eat so many medicines.

And today, you had left us on a very holy day; the same day that Jesus died as well. You had waited until (mostly) everyone in the family had come back from church for you to breathe your last breath. May you now finally be in peace and no longer suffering. Don’t be scared being in Heaven alone; Nenek is there to accompany you. We will see you again one day, do not worry.

Rest In Peace, my dearest Bruno.

P/S.. oh and don’t worry about Doggy too; I’ll bring him for more walks and spend more time with him so he won’t be too lonely.

(Sis Jewelle also did a post about Bruno’s passing HERE)