There are days in UK when I'm riding the bus to campus and my mind wanders and I think about Melou. I think about how old she is getting, how her eyesight is deteoriating and whether she misses me. And sometimes, I think about whether I'll still be in UK when her time comes and I can't help but shed a tear. Flustered, I often would whip out my sunglasses just to hide my face from everyone on the bus.
I'm glad that she lived a good and happy life and most of all, I'm glad she waited for me to come home and gave me the chance to spend these last 3 years with her. But those moments described above have played through my mind so many times that it feels like this eulogy has written itself over and over in my head many times over.
I received Melou from my mum's colleague in 1997. I remember the day clearly. I had gone to Jubilee Hall theatre to catch a play with my Sec 3 class. What play it was I did not remember and that's probably because my mind was only on the fact that my mum was bringing a dog back for me. My mum picked QX and me up after the play and started complaining about the dog being very naughty and keeps barking and because she's not toilet trained, my mum had locked her in the kitchen.
When we got home, I slid open that kitchen door and this beautiful white dog jumped at me excitedly. I played with you and you did not bark one bit. I suggested to mummy that maybe you didn't like to be cooped up in the kitchen and so we let you loose around the house and not one sound did you make.
When we brought you downstairs to pee, we tried to be responsible owners and put you on your leash. But you hated it. You would not budge whenever you had a leash attached to you. You didn't even like having a collar around your neck. So we let you loose and you were happy.
For an only child in a single parent family, you mean the world and more to me. You always greeted me so happily whenever I came home from school. I joke that you lasted longer than any of my girlfriends but that's really the truth. You were there to comfort me when I broke up with each one of them and you often hide under the sofa/bed whenever mummy and I quarrel but when the storm had passed, you would come out from your hiding place and quietly plop yourself down next to me and rest your head against my leg. You loved unconditionally and in doing so, you taught me how to do the same too.
The last couple of months, you fell ill and then you had a fall and could not walk anymore. You got frustrated and cried often and we ended up having to keep you in the storeroom for fear that your barking would upset the neighbours. We also found that on cold nights, you much preferred the shelter of the storeroom. But your condition got worse and your cries of pain and frustration became louder and louder and so today, my best friend, we let you loose and end your suffering. May you have fun running around the big fields of heaven. May God restore your sight and let you run free and someday, we shall meet again my dear friend.
You mean everything, everything, everything to this lonely boy and you journeyed with me through my life every step of the way. I love you my dear sweet friend. May you find peace in heaven and as Fr Bosco said today, "May the angels welcome you home".
Always and forever yours,
Sherwin
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