小花

The first time I was introduced to 小花
was also the first time she totally melted my heart.
She was quite mature in doggy years,
but still captured my attention
with her energetic moves and enthusiastic barking.
Though she's usually fierce towards strangers,
she welcomed me with a few licks
after checking me out with her inquisitive sniffing.
Maybe she liked what she saw, or smelt...
or maybe she could simply detect that I would ooze affection for her. :)

Whenever I went to Sophia's place,
I would grab the opportunity for some animal therapy of my own
and reach out to play with her.
There were times when she looked playfully at me,
as if she was trying to bait my attention,
and other times when she would sniff at
and then sneak a sip or bite of whatever food and drinks Sophia offered me
when I wasn't watching!
But the times I enjoyed most were when she responded to my voice
as I called her name and reached a hand out to her.
She would walk hesitantly towards me at first,
then allow me to hug and place her gingerly onto my lap,
after which she would settle down comfortably like the royal princess she was.

These days, she has been rather sickly.
Sophia had to take leave from work
and rush home quickly to be with her today after her sister called,
saying that something seemed wrong with 小花.
The pretty dog felt comforted in her owner's presence
and soon looked better.
But she was still weak,
and her days now seem numbered.

At the thought of this,
my eyes started to tear at work.
I recalled her playful barks,
her large doleful eyes,
her warm furry body,
and all the times our noses touched.

Sophia says she wants 小花 to go peacefully...
she can't bear to put her down.
I totally understand.
Now I only hope that 小花 spends the final lap of her life
with her beloved owner,
who loves her so very much,
and feels how much her existence means to the latter.

She's just a dog to some,
but to the people whose lives she's touched,
she is so much more, I'm sure.
Take care, 小花.