Welcome Home Mario!

Losing Whitie last year, my furry best friend since childhood, was one of the many devastating events I've ever had in my life. My friends sent their condolences and sympathies, a few online enemies (a.k.a insecure people who are either as bitchy as I am or just plain jealous of something I don't know about) criticized my method of mourning, and my family moved on thinking I was doing okay. Truth of the matter was, I could hardly function normally for two weeks.

Rant Alert
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I realized how much I missed my dog after a shocking accident, when I got out of a cab and the door hit a motorcycle that was trying to squeeze through the traffic with space that could only be filled by one person (he rode over the elongated island so he could overtake the other vehicles) at an illegal speed, sending the driver off his stupid vehicle and sprawled on the ground. If you know physics and had he been moving the motorcycle slowly, he would have enough time to stop it. The motorcycle came out of nowhere! (I'm not surprised why there are so many vehicular "accidents". Feh. There are a lot of irresponsible drivers here in my country. The only hope these accidents could bring is that there will be less idiots in the world if they die.)

Anyway, what was that motorcycle doing in a narrow space like that in the first place? It's an obvious violation of the traffic laws such as overtaking at an unsafe distance and illegal overtaking. Motorcycles should stick to their own lanes. Plus there's a maximum width where motorcycles could pass through. Coming from a country where motorist violations occur frequently and law enforcement is poor, I should have seen it coming. But my heart was too heavy to even carry the shock of what happened that day.

The bastard cab driver hissed and started droning about who would pay for the damages to the motorcycle, and started saying things like, "Nako, paano kung nasira yan ha? Anong gagawin mo?" He's a fucker. I hope he contracts HIV and die toothless, money-less, homeless, and penis-less, which is a pretty good possibility considering his way of thinking. Har.

The best empty reply I could come up with was, "Fine. Let's go to my school's guards so I could contact the office. They can help." Afterwards, I sought the counselor's advice who told me, "Alam ng driver ng morcycle siya ang mali kaya di na niya tinuloy pumunta sa pulis. Siya mapapagalitan. At naka-ID ka pa non kaya involved ang school. Sa ganyan, unahan lang sino ang unang magsasalita. Nagkataon lang you're undergoing through an intense period."

Had I been my normal self that day, I would have demanded to seek the authorities and prove to the policemen (with a little emo for better results) that the driver of the motorcycle violated the law.

This incident had me shaken and guilty, which eventually turned to disappointment for allowing myself to act like a weakling and be treated like a doormat by lesser demons.

Moving on to the good news...

I thought I'll never get over the loss. Even Doggy Black looked like she was undergoing her own canine mourning. She kept visiting the cemetery area in our garden, where my baby for exactly 17 years (akala 12, 17 pala, naabutan pa ni Whitie si Lady. It's been so long na kasi. I regret not taking down the exact date I got her. -.- ) has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Thinking about her until now brings tears to my eyes.

Rainbow Bridge

Doggy and I bonded and became closer. We went through
the loss together, and I gave her all my attention. People said I could get a
new dog if I wanted to, but I wasn't ready yet. I convinced myself that no dog
could ever replace Whitie, and it will be unfair for the

new dog if he or she becomes some sort of a canine equivalent of a "rebound".

Little did I know my life will change the following year, when I stumbled on a website for homeless animals and saw this picture.

Love at first sight does happen, because if it doesn't, the dog you see in this picture wouldn't be spending his time creating memories with us at home today.

WELCOME HOME MARIO SWEETIE!

One big smile.

Mario and his dinner.

Mario walking beside the cobbles.

The best thing about this? I was able to get to know him while he was still in the shelter. This dog's not my Whitie, but he's my Mario (my new best friend, besides Doggy and my hamsters); and there will only be one Mario in the world and he's the dog you see in that picture right there y'hear?

The same logic applies to Doggy and my hammies. Mommy loves all of you cupcakes munchkins sweetie pies baby-kins!

Like all the other animals in the shelter, he's got his own tragic story, and he's been staying in the shelter for three years too. I wanted to reach out and build his self-esteem before he goes home with me. (Knowing Doggy, she's got enough self-confidence to rival a feline's. She'd boss Mario around and if Mario didn't trust me enough, I figured there might be a disaster. I didn't want to risk it.)

Some people told me I did a good thing, that I gave Mario a home and a chance at a better life, but I think - this I emphasize to every potential adopters out there - the benefits are mutual.

Adopting a dog, especially an older one, is one of the greatest experience you'll ever have. The dog's love for you, depending on how you accept it, will make a mark in your life history; the love you share will be like an ENERGIZER battery, it goes on and on and on....and until death do you part. (Honestly, I'd rather not think of the death part. Live life to the fullest!)

Mario, together with Doggy and the hamsters, gave me two special and irreplaceable gifts: love and devotion. They turned me to a more resilient, and even more strong-willed person.

Oh! And Mario already knows the "UP" command! (He's picky with his dog biscuits, but he goes CRAZY over CHEWY SNACKS!)

To think it took him less than one week to settle down AND learn a trick. Wooohoo! I'm so proud of you baby! (It's amusing to see Doggy and Mario go "up" at the same time too. :3 )

Home Is Where the Biscuit Is

In less than ten days, we're going to have a new family member.

He's got a beautiful, short black mane with sleek orange and white highlights, a pair of loving eyes, perky ears, a smile to die for, and he walks on four slim legs models on the cat-walk would envy.

Weeks of regular visits to the shelter, building rapport and increasing his confidence, have paid off. Mario and I became more and more attached.

His pictures are all over my room next to the photos of Louie, Doggy Black, Whitie (my dog who died a year ago), my goldfish, and my frisky little hamsters. More pictures of Mario could also be found on my desktop and among my files is a whole folder filled with collected photos of him that I've managed to dig up from the blogs of other volunteers (sorry guys...XD), except for that photo with Heart Evangelista. Ms. Karizma told me she'll send the photo via email one of these days. (Really looking forward to it! Anything with Mario in it would send me to blissful oblivion!) Presently, I'm doing the necessary preparations for his arrival. :)

A shy Mario with PARC's veterinarian, Dra. Ami :)

I would like to thank my hunny for making it all possible. I'm so excited! Imagine in a few days I could finally bring Mario home! I don't have to wait until October after all. Hohoho!

(Can't wait, darn it! ) Above is a picture of Mario and I together!

I guess you could say we're seeing stars. ;)

This will sound crazy, but oh to heck with it. While strolling around in a mall, I'd usually be found be gazing at the racks of lovely clothes and fascinating books thinking to myself, "Oh wow! I've GOT to have that!" and then the next thing I know I'm already admiring a pack of delicious-looking dog biscuits wondering if Doggy and Mario would like those.

The funny thing is I couldn't even remember how I got there!

Right after gaining the sensibility to retrace my footsteps, I'd then be distracted again and dash over to the accessories portion of the petshop --- walking back and forth as if in a sugar rush ---- to appreciate the matching collars and leashes. I'd examine one of the more gorgeous collars and imagine Mario wearing it.

I'd think out loud, Oh my god! This color matches Mario's coat! Hmmm...oh! That one looks good too! Aieeeeeeeee! Eeeeeeeeeeek! Aaaaaaaaaaah! Sheeeeeeeet!

If it weren't for my better self, particularly the more logical part of my brain, I would have gone broke in a split second. "Mario would be happy with whatever you give him, you idiot" I'd hear it sigh.

But it's sooo cuuute! I'd come to my defense. "Moron! It's being with you that counts!" it would point out. My own brain would outsmart me.

I would deliberate with myself until Louie has finished playing the Drummania and he would carefully lure me out of the store, laughing at me as if I've just committed the world's most humiliating blooper.

"Baby naman! You can buy those next time! You've just bought new stuff recently, remember?" he'd chuckle, playfully flicking a finger at my forehead.

That's the only time I'd remember I've indeed bought things for Mario he hasn't even used yet. "But...but...just a few biscuits, pretty please??"

He'd laugh and drag me out of the shop --- after buying the biscuits, that is. Conversations with myself have become more frequent as the time of adoption draws near.

I've already signed the adoption papers.

Now I have all the right to be possessive.

*insert death glare here*

Calm down, Laiah. Calm down.

.......

HOLY HOTDOG!

I'M SO HAPPPYYYYYYY!

Anyway, the pictures below is taken in the main garden which my grandmother maintains. She's got a green thumb in the same way I've got a way with hamsters. We also have a garden outside the gate, a small garden-like lane full of plants and flowers at the front of the house, our very own pet cemetery which I'd like to call the mortal gateway to the Rainbow Bridge, and of course, a grassy area where we place the lines for our laundry. (The dogs love to sniff around that area for reasons I know not of.) I wasn't able to take a picture of the rest of the garden because I ran out of battery. Hahahaha.

Anyway, this is the main garden where Doggy and I usually play, and where Mario will eventually join us. It's also their training area. I love hanging out here to feed & watch the wild birds, sky gaze, and stargaze. You see those pots containing the plants with pink flowers? To its left is the smaller garden lounge where I stay. Whitie used to stay in that area while Doggy would run around barking and chasing the cats passing by our garden. (The cats would resort to jumping on top of the high fence. XD) ^_^


This is half of the main garden lounge, or should I say the outdoor living room. There's another table and set of chairs on the other half, where my grandma and mom would conduct their Bible Study sessions with neighbors. This is also where my Lola would conduct a ballroom dancing session with her friends, one of her hobbies, and she'd usually hire a dancing instructor or two to teach us how to dance.

I wasn't able to take a picture of the side where the mirrors are, where one whole area of the wall is covered with mirrors. The small aquarium and a book tracing our family roots could also be found here.

You see the bushy part behind the white bars, to the right of the pathway? That's Doggy's doghouse, personally decorated by my grandma with some of her plants to help cool her little home from the hot weather. This is where Doggy learned the "sit" and "stay" commands. That big wooden sofa you see is where I stay, and Doggy would usually hide underneath it if it's raining, or if she's trying to get away from the squeaker toy I bought her. -_-; (We're trying to learn the "fetch" command now.)

This is the poop area. Need I say more?

For those interested in adopting, please consider adopting cats and kittens! They urgently need your love since most people who come to the shelter are looking for dogs. :(

Here are a few pictures of the cattery I took when I was in PARC.