new page

i'm contemplating on getting a tattoo on my forehead so i could remind myself of this miraculous year...one tattoo for every blessing...that should hurt like hell! :) but the mere sight of pins and needles make me faint. there must be some way to keep all these memories indelible.

it's not everyday that you get your wishes granted.

my parents deserve to be glorified next to God. they are my personal protective "cloak"--my impermeable defense against the cold.

i have at last turned to a new page. below is the page i'd eternally flip back to if only to remind me of how mysterious God's ways are, and of how blessed i am to have been given this chance to shine...bright enough to make my family the happiest this side of the planet.

nuestra casa

all dogs go to heaven: a eulogy for judge

i've never had a real pet.

my mom never liked the idea of having a dog. but my persistence overpowered her resolve. soon after, a yellow labrador came--but by mistake. i named her "jury". i gave her 5 baths all in all before a short phone call informed me that i got the wrong dog. at that time, jury and i were already way past the bonding stage. our parting was unfortunate, but bearable. after 3 days, "judge" came to take her place.

it took me 4 days to get used to the sight of yet another yellow labrador at our backyard. i decided not to participate in any bonding instance that would again displace my emotional attachment. i built a collapsible wall between us. at first, the distance was reasonable. judge was 5 sizes bigger than jury anyway, so i wouldn't be able to scoop him up and give him a bath inside our makeshift bath tub in the laundry area.

but he was as persistent as i was (as i've already mentioned, i practically begged my mom to reconsider). he would wag his tail tirelessly at the sight of me and would run to me for help each time he sees a cat surreptitiousy tiptoeing its way towards his blue plastic food bowl.

and so the wall collapsed.

my body clock temporarily changed soon after our "connection". i would wake up at 8am to check on him. my dad decided not to tie him up and suppress his freedom of locomotion. judge's lonely eyes never failed to sear my heart everytime i leave him panting for liberation. scraping off dog poo on pavements made me an overnight sensation. my mom showered me with praises after my first successful "scraping session"..."ang sipag ng anak ko!"

the parvo virus slowly attacked my dog's intestines and made its way to his heart. i've gone through every bit of internet material about the deadly virus to ever have enough time and strength to resist not feeling sad. i was crying inside. my dad kept telling me not to look at judge anymore. but i did...many times, until his demise. the sight of him made me wish i didn't give in to his searing eyes when i tied him up against the post so that he would not wander off to some dirty scavenger's abode.

before letting him go, i talked to him and said "judge, kung hindi mo na kaya, magpahinga kana..." and so he did...the next day, at 5am. i miss him so much!

i will never again ask my mom to reconsider her firm avowal of not having a pet dog.