Cleo [I named her after that pretty white poodle from the cartoon series, Clifford] was a Japanese Spitz Hybrid. Everybody said she was guapa [beautiful]. She was 7 months old when she was given to us by Auntie Bebe.  

Daddy was ecstatic; he’s always loved for us to have a pet dog in the house. He and my late mum once owned a Dalmatian named “Spotty” in Taiwan where he works but had to give him up when they decided to have a rather long vaca here in Cebu. My kid sister, on the other hand, freaked out. Oh, she’s a squealer, all right. She was terrified of dogs and she’d never get near one. So imagine her surprise when Daddy really got us the pet. I still get the chills every time I remember her frantic screams ringing in my ear. Eventually, though, she’s come to realize that Cleo was harmless and she actually started liking her. So in a way, Cleo paved a way for her to like dogs. She now pets other dogs in the neighborhood and occasionally plays with them, too.

Having a pet dog in the house spells hard work. It’s a good thing we have Ate Neneng [the help]. She cleans up after Cleo; feeds her, gives her baths, delouses her, plays with her and all. So as you can see, she’s closest to Cleo. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling right now. From my window, I can see her with her friends outside. She’s actually laughing. I wonder if she’s just faking that to mask what’s really going on insider her.

Perhaps you’re wondering if Cleo and I had had a close relationship as well. I wish I could say yes. I’ve always been a dog-lover since I was a little kid. The first pup I’ve had I named “Triny” because back then I loved the Power Rangers and my friends and I played parts during our free time. I was, of course, the Yellow Ranger [Triny].
The summer before fifth grade my brother and I were arranged to live with my Aunt in Oroquieta City. I was emotionally depressed back then and it was showing through my grades, but that’s another story. Anyway, Mommy had to go live with Daddy in Taiwan, where she would be treated [she had breast cancer]. Everyone thought it best for us to have a different environment, that it would do us some good.

So my brother [Ahia] and I lived at our Aunt’s place which houses [as of today] more than fifteen dogs among other animals. I loved it there. I got to be with so many dogs of beautiful breeds.. and there were mixed ones, too. A year later, 3 pups were born. I was given the privilege of naming them. And so I did. They were Wizard, Crystal, and Creamy. Ahia  and I had our favorites. Of course, he picked the male [Wizard]. I thought Creamy was puny and a bit, well, ugly. So I picked Crystal. Ahia and I would play with Wizard and Crystal all the time and didn’t even strain to notice poor Creamy. Months later I realized Crystal didn’t grow up as cute as I’d thought her to be. Wizard’s hair was all puffy and well, ick. Creamy, though, was tiny and really cute. I like her best, I told myself. Ahia started to drift away from Wizard and was more focused on his gameboy and basketball, among other things. I grew even closer with Creamy. Ama [grandmother] loved her, too.

March 11, 2000 at dawn a year later, Creamy died. She was pregnant with rather large puppies [the father was a big dog and you know how small Creamy was].. you do the math. Ama and I cried. We loved Creamy so much it hurt. I swore never to get too close to another puppy again.

Ahia stayed in Oroquieta City for only two years. We were given a choice between staying and going back to Cebu City. He decided to call it quits and chose Cebu. I stayed.

I was leafing through a magazine when I heard it. The sound of a speeding car muffled by a string of terrified screeches. I looked through my bedroom window and there she was, lying on the side of the wall. Shaking.