Remembering Goofy and Snowy

March 12 and March 17 - two poignant dates in my calender. In 2009 I lost the first pet Goofy and then a year later 2010 it was Snowy. All's left is their son Richie, who behaved oddly on 17 March around the time of Snowy's departure at 8.10pm. He suddenly got up and sniffed incessantly around the dining table and the room as if in search of someone, or something familiar. It went for a good 20-30 seconds before he sat down calmly while everyone look in amazement. How the time flies but we still couldn't forget the two lovely pets we had, with their snow white fur, their camaraderie and their warmth. Indeed ever so often we speak about them as though they were still around us to share our happiness as members of an extended family. Now we can only look out into the open space, call out their names and wish that they enjoy their freedom together.

Remembering Goofy...

A year had passed since Goofy, my pet Shih Tsu, left the family for a better place. His name is still top of mind for everyone at home. At meals, at casual conversations, Goofy invariably becomes the subject of discussion. We remember him for his playfulness, his energy, his loving care for his family and of course his habit of identifying spots in the house to mark his territory. Truly he is special. He was no pushover for if he was not happy with the way he was treated, he knew how to use his growls. Yet there were a few moments when he was naughty but above all, he would always be lovingly missed by everyone who knew him.

Yesterday, the day that Goofy passed on, 12 March, and his wife Snowy underwent an operation to remove two tumours - cancerous tumours one above her left eye and the other in her mouth. Snowy is a tough dog and within 12 hours of the operation she was up and about today. Her looks is somewhat disfigured after the operation, but she didn't lose appetite for food.

Till today, mention the name Goofy and his dear son Richie will be all perked up and wagging his tail to look for his father. He would go to the front door and wait...in vain. We sometimes wonder if Richie understands that his father had gone to a place to rest and never to return until the day when we will all be able to meet again in some distant place...