Chuckie the “Great”

Today is All Souls Day; prior to this day many spooky story or movies were shown that everyone had enough already so I wouldn’t write anything relevant to Halloween for now. The creepy joke is as far as I can go in this topic. Instead, I decided to write a tribute for a friend, a companion, and a family.

Chuckie the “Great” is the apple of the eye of everyone in our family. Though he is a Filipino dog, one wouldn’t have a clue, a quality he inherited from his father and a little from her mom. It’s not just his western look that made us fall in love with him. He has unique personalities. I’ll take you back in his journey in life: the joy, misadventure, and hardship—how hard he fought till the end and how we are living without him by our side.

Happiness Comes in Black and White

When my first dog IC had been in her first season in 2009, that is, she was matured enough to give birth, our family was about to receive a gift—that we’ll all love. Pino and IC has produced three cute puppies; one of them is a puppy covered with black and white markings, the quality inspired me to come up with the name Chuckie, a brand of chocolate drink that has a mascot of a cow. The truth is we all think of him that way. “Don’t give away that cow,” was what my mom said when she first and every time she looked at him. The other puppies in the first litter of IC were also adorable, but I guessed we were all enchanted by Chuckie, from the very start.

Favoritism is inevitable when Chuckie was born. We couldn’t help it because he possessed the endearing qualities of each of our dogs, in appearance and temperament: furry, loyal, and loving. Later he developed a unique habit that we were amazed and bewitched to comply with his bidding. As soon as he saw us approaching he immediately rolled and lay on his back exposing his tummy—which means we have to rub it either with our hands or feet (if I’m too lazy to stoop or sit on the floor). My mom who first claimed ownership of this fastidious dog, always smile or laugh and like us has no choice—but to do the tummy-rub-rub service to our permanent customer. That’s not his only vice, he also wants to have a massage; but this time, unfortunately, I was the only one who obliged or have the heart. It’s not just his back but also head that I massage gently. What is so funny about it is that we started while he was sitting on the floor yet he ended up lying on the floor with eyes half awake and motionless body. But I don’t have all the time to keep him in such state; sometimes Chuckie gets up as soon as I stop or he lie still until sleep wins over as I make the noiseless escape.

Closeness and Longing

As he grew, the more he was endeared to us, especially to my sister who loves to carry and to cuddle him. Her closeness has ensured me of having someone to look after Chuckie because I had to recuperate after a surgery. For about a month, I moved with pain and difficulty that gradually subside in the succeeding months. During those times, my sister became more closed with Chuckie while attending to Pino (his dog), IC, and Kermit.

I did miss my fussy customer; all I can do is to give her a pat on the head or rub on his back. Every time he wants to sit on my lap, I have to move away or have my sister do it for me. In a few months I can go back to work as his massage therapist—it’s the thought I kept inside my head so as not to feel sorry about him being rejected. But a tragedy, we never imagined to happen to our favorite pet.

Cupid Broke Our Hearts

Chuckie loves to run in the morning yet loves to lie on our marble floor for the rest of the day. He is such a home buddy puppy. Even with lack of penchant for outdoor, we didn’t expect him to be sicked. Once he first had loss an appetite for food then recovered, he occasionally feels ill the following months. A scenario that frightened us though we didn’t showed. Yet at the back of our mind we knew that it is a hint to a dreadful day we never wished to come—yet—after Valentine’s Day—it did arrive as Chuckie left us for good.

We are saddened by his demise, but the feeling didn’t sink in to us yet that day because we were preoccupied of finding his a resting place—even for the last time we wanted to give the best care we can provide. Because of the tragedy that is a nightmare to all dog lovers, I realized how important to have a dog cemetery in the Philippines, much even better a pet cemetery for the departed companion of animal lovers in the country. My sister and I had bury a puppy in the backyard before IC and Pino were born; but it was different back then because we haven’t spent much time with Haru before he died. More memories, more pain. Our neighbor who is also our relative dug the ground filled with huge stones. It’s the only spot where Chuckie can lie for eternity.

The succeeding days that turned into months without our beloved Chuckie were the difficult moments for all of us in the house. My mom occasionally and vocally express how she miss Chuckie watching her quietly while preparing a meal for them and how she long for the moment she would take him out for a walk. Whereas my aunt argued that we should never have another dog; my mom second that notion. Grieving is inevitable if you have a dear dog that someday will leave and all that remain are good and bad memories. I understand how they feel but I don’t agree. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to be happy with a companion because of fear of losing. The important thing is the joy brought about by the relationship though without common language has flourished and found a home in our heart and in our mind.

His paw reaching for your hands might mean his asking for a treat. His barking might mean he wants to go out or just merely getting your attention. All these gestures and more are summed up one in one word: LOVE!

May you rest in peace Chuckie! I now have a new costumer who is named after you—Chuchie.

And to all grieving and coping for a pet loss, you don’t have to get over, forget them, or fear finding another creature in need of care. Don’t let fear overcomes love that you can pass on to other creation of our Heavenly Father, even to a dog resembling a cow.

They are like gifts wrapped not with colorful wrappers but with coat of different markings and thickness. Amidst diversity, they are full of joy and surprises for everyone!