Jose (May 10, 2008 – November 22, 2008)

The last time that I ever really cried for someone was when my father passed away. And eventhough we were given a few months leeway to prepare for it before he had to inevitably leave us, it all seemed sudden to me.

Sorrow makes us all children again - destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest know nothing. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

That episode in my life—and the months and years subsequent to it—always left that overwhelming sorrow inside me, because we had a very close relationship (especially bouts over beer), and because I never imagined it would happen to him so soon; at a relatively young age. And so when my little boy’s dog Jose finally succumbed to his illness this afternoon, unimaginable as it seems, it turned out to be something heartrending. I did not cry for it, but my little boy did, especially during the dog’s last weeping moments.

I am not a veterinarian, therefore I couldn’t do anything to save it. It was so sudden anyway, similar as my dad’s passing, however I never had the time as to seek the vet’s prognosis. Actually, this morning I was ready for any eventuality, for the fate of Jose.

He refused to eat either dog food or sardines, and even tried to force-feed him with that ginseng candy my boss gave me as pasalubong from Korea. Maybe he wouldn’t eat anything for that matter, since he was really hurting; my hunch is that he ate something spoilt or rotten, or some bone got lodged inside his stomach and damaged his stomach lining. Whatever reason, I cannot get him back anymore and this event in my little boy’s life will be something of a sad memory to him. About the ginseng candy, it took a trip to the garbage can; it tasted like soil.

Anyway, that dog is irreplaceable. We had such nice memories together—all those 6 months he’s been with us. One day I received a note, written on my little tyke’s notebook from his teacher, it said: “Please refrain from bringing pets to the school.” I admit it was a funny experience for both pet and master—and me.

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

And so this evening, before I tucked my little boy to bed, I told him that Jose, even if he’s gone forever, will be happy with God, along with lots of other dogs, playing. It sort of relieved him after—he even said that when he’s already asleep, Jose may dig himself from beneath the soil and take some of the leftover dog food which still is outside the house, and the teddy bear he used to play with, and bring it to heaven.

Sigh.

The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic. ~Henry Ward Beecher

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. ~Author Unknown

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. ~Robert Benchley

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace. ~Milan Kundera

I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl. ~Penny Ward Moser

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. ~Author UnknownNational Enquirer-->Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton