My love affair with Marley

Dearest Marley

Let me tell you how i come about in adopting you.

It was a week before my birthday. Jacky called me on the phone coz he was at the petshop and saw your sister. He says DEAR!! YOU MUST COME AND SEE OUR FUTURE DOG. I was like, what future dog? We arent getting anymore dog coz i was devastated when Milo passed away. But he says, YES! COME AND SEE!! YOU WILL SURELY LIKE IT. I am not convience. That evening, Jacky and i went over to the petshop and when i first saw your sister, OMG! I love her feature coz I had no idea what a Belgian Sherpard is suppose to look like.  

The shop owner, Amy said she will bring you over, if we want to see you. Of coz we would wanna see you. Amy says to come back the next day.

And the next evening, Jacky, mum and i went over to the petshop and saw you. OMG!! I fell in love with you straight away. You were shy. You were scared. The owner let me hold you. You were not very jumpy at first, maybe coz you are wondering why am i holding you.

We confirmed to bring you back after negotiating the price. :)

On 2 June 2009, which was also my birthday, we brought you home.

You were taking your bath when we saw you. The petshop workers are giving you the final groom before i am allow to bring you home. You were scared when you sat in the car. We managed to settle you in the temporary house. Prior to you coming home, we cleaned the place for you. We used 1 big bottle of clorox, clean the whole area, twice! and also the front area, just in case you wanna visit that area.

We gave you dog food. We played with you. Jacky and i stayed with you the very first night. And then you were so brave. You didnt cry at all.  However, over the next few night, you cry a lot. And you will wake me up at 6.20 a.m. sharp. Jacky will let you free from the chain. You will always wanna run to the front, to steal Browny’s food or to play with him. We will always be on guard, and will chain you back, as a punishment if you run to the back. We will then get ready breakfast for you. And after that, a short ’sit’ training. We bought dog’s cookie for you. And you love it.

I will pom you every 3 days. Initially, you love taking bath. And then you hate it. Jacky will have to help me because you always try to run away.

There are nights that i will just sit with you, sayang you and talking to you. There are also nights that i would bring a laptop and sit by your side while i do work. You will lean yourbody to my leg and sometimes, you will try to chew on my pants.

Do you know that you have incredible teeth? We bought you a huge edible bones, and by the next morning, the whole bone dissappear!

I really love your long ears, your dark patches and your black face. I thought you look handsome and nerdy at the same time. By the 2nd weeks your are with us, i saw your fur change color, from brown to more black!

I should have already sense there is something wrong with you when you are loosing your appetite. I really didnt know what is wrong with you. We brought you to the vet to treat your skin disease. Maybe we shouldnt have do that. The virus might be from there. I dont know. I really dont. And then we brought you to the vet again to treat your bowel problem. We really should have STOP bringing you to the vet, but we didnt. We thought it was best to bring you for treatment.

By the time you are ready for your 2nd jab, you were already not so jumpy and playful. The virus might have already start to attack you. Nevertheless, you still continue to play with me, to cheer me up.

Remember the time when we move you into your new house? You were so scared. You didnt like it. You choose to go back to your old house. It is so funny. I will have to carry you from your old house to your new palace. Dad made you the house. It is a very nice house, but i dont know. You just dont like it. There is one time that you escape from your new house. You must be wondering how did i find out your secret hole right? I actually deceived you. I lure you out with your biscuits. That is when you show me your secret path!

I know you were in pain Marley. When the virus attack your brain, that is when you have your first fits. I know you were scared. You must be wondering what is happening to you right? I was really sad. I dont know what to do. The only thing i know is to bring you to the vet again. The vet confirm it was Distemper virus. I was still blur, didnt understand how serious it was until Jacky told me it is more serious that parvo. It crush my heart. It really did. I can feel my heart ache. I feel for you Marley.

The next day, you show me you are well. You showed me you can tackle the virus. I tried to be happy but deep inside, i know this will be a long journey for you. You are still so young. I dont know if you can fight this virus. The day before you passed away, your fits became worst. I suddenly re-call what the vet says. She said if your fits becomes worse, it is best to bring you in and put you to sleep. I dont want that!! No way i am putting you to sleep, but i know you are suffering. The vet says you are in pain. Great pain. But Marley, i didnt have the heart to. Your fits was on and off. Everytime your fits come, you will try to walk away from us, as if you dont wanna crush our heart.

It is weird. Your appetite becomes better. You ate like you never eat before. We gave you dog food, raw eggs, bread. I even cook chicken for you and you love it. You would still wag your tail, jump on us but when your fits strike, you will become more tired.

The morning came and you didnt wake me up. I know you are tired from the fits.

When i came back from work, i call out your name. MARLEY MARLEY! No answer. I cant even see you. You didnt walk out from your house. I thought you might be having fits.

I went over and saw you lying on the ground. So helpless. You are still breathing Marley. I was shaking. I didnt know what to do. I grab the phone and call Jacky. My tears was already rolling down. I cant stop myself from going berserk.

I went over and touch you. I call out your name. Marley..Marley. Did you hear me calling your name? 

Your eyes look at me, as though you are trying to tell me something.  

Marley, I am so sorry. I didnt know how to take care of you.

Marley passed away a few minutes after that.

Even though Marley was with us for only 1 month and 4 days, the joy and happiness he brought to the family will never be forgotten.

Marley, you will always stay close in my heart. I hope you are playing with my Fifi and Milo in heaven now.

May you rest in peace.

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