A Dog's Life

Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Dog. The element this year is fire so it is going to be a hot dog.

The dog is known for its faithfulness, selflessness and loyalty so in the Chinese calendar the dog is an ethical and idealistic sign. Chinese astrologers therefore say that the year of the dog will bring increased social awareness and interest in society’s vulnerable members. The barking guard dog will also serve to warn us of dangers and injustice.

I am reminded of my late friend Maxtor. Faithful and loyal, yes; but selfless I am not sure. Maxtor had the annoying habit of taking food from the table ahead of others. One time he was able to grab the lace tablecloth with his paw and bring the pork roast down to the floor. The roast was the main dish of the Christmas Eve dinner, what could we say? Naturally, he was scolded, threatened with his human parent’s tsinelas and the word palo then banished to his cage until emotions have subsided.

Maxtor was a purebred beagle. He carried identification papers tracing his pedigree when he was purchased from the dog show. It was a challenge to break him in --- he ate slippers to punish his human housemates, barked and howled and disturbed the neighbours when left alone. He was sent to an obedience school and hardly passed. Through the years, he retained the characteristics of his breed --- a hunter and a sprinter. He had a nose for blood and would tip waste cans when he smelled it. He would run out when the front door was opened, forgetting that there was no vast expanse outside the door to contain his speed and endangering him to motorists.

But when time came to seek his companionship and find solace in his soulful eyes, Maxtor was there to give his all. He jumped with joy when his housemates arrived, he allowed himself to be petted and he slept on their laps while watching television. He jogged alongside them and protected them from harm.

In his senior years, Maxtor was tamed. He slept most of the time. He no longer played catch ball. He was not that interested in food anymore. Only when a boil on his hind leg was diagnosed as cancer did we understand why. The boil was removed by surgery but the cancer cells had spread. He suffered from the pain until it was decided that instead of a leg amputation --- which would not stop the cancer from farther spreading anyway – he would be put to sleep. I accompanied my friend Goya when Maxtor was brought to the clinic for the lethal injection. After all I was his Ninang. I held him and cried. In just a few peaceful minutes, he went to sleep forever.