Our Dazel

He left us with beautiful memories from the 11 years of his life. Right from the day he set his tiny paw into our house, he has become a part of our family. We watched him grow and age throughout the years, but his character and temper never changed. From a little fluffy puppy to a scrawny-looking adolescent with his baby hair shedding, he learned what not to do in the house, but the mischievious character still carried out his deeds when no one was at home, and suffered a beating when we came back. I remembered that brother hit him so hard once, that he hid under the sofa and shivered in fear. Our heart broke and we caressed him so gently, regretful of our fit of anger.

He bore no grudges, and expected nothing but love and attention from us. Any indication that I was about to bring him for his weekly 30 minute walk around the neighbourhood was enough to send him jumping around in joy, and if I delayed his outing for just a few minutes, he would bark in disapproval. He has got an emperor's appetitie, in the sense that he could starve for 2 days when not feeling well, or just because he got tired of the daily fare. But he never reject his tidbits. Many times, we had to "lure" him to finish his food.

He loved playing the fetching game at home and laid belly up whenever we caressed and stroke him gently. These were some of the luxuries which he longed for. He greeted us with joy whenever we came home from work and look on sadly when we left him alone at home.

We would have brought him out more often if he had learned to behave in the car. An outing to the reservoir or vet required 2 of us because of his hyper-activity in the car. He hated cats and love chasing after birds.

I watched him age as he stopped chasing after birds and could not be bothered to pick a fight with the cats. His hearing started to fail and sometimes, he did not greet us at the door because he could not hear us or was too sound asleep. Even as he age, he still looked good and passer-by mistook his as a cute-looking puppy.

Mum started calling him "Baby" when the responsibility of feeding him daily became hers. I bathed and bring him out for walks on my off days. He got birthday presents every year. We wrapped tidbits in paper and he tore at them to get to his birthday treats, which is complemented by a new toy. He was a possessive fellow who guarded his treats or things that he stole from the dustbin fiercely. But he never bite any of us. We often joked that he is bound to lose in any fight with other dog and even cats, as he was too gentle to do harm.



Dazel chewing on his 9th Birthday treat


He lost all appetite a week before he left us. From a 10kg beefy looking guy in his heydays, he maintained an 8kg weight for the last 2 years. In a week, his kidney and liver failed and he was reduced to skin and bones. We held the slightest hope that our dazel can recover and fed him fluid on the last few days. Brother and I brought him to Peirce Reservoir after his last visit to the vet. We knew his time has come, and wanted to perk him up just one last time. His eyes opened upon seeing the trees and canopy passing by outside the car. I don't know if he remembered how he sprinted across the open field during his younger days. But I could feel his heart beat faster as we carried him to the water edge and the grass which he used to run on. He was excited, but unable to walk or run. I could sense his happiness and this was the least we could do for all the happiness and laughter that he brought to the family. He has became a part of us and brought the family closer together.

On 11 August 2008, Dazel left us. He died at home, on his towel and surrounded by everyone in the living room. I knew of his passing while in reservist training. There was no time to cry as I was on a mission. I imagined Dazel to be in the skies as I looked up from the top of the hill, and had a few seconds of peace to accept his passing on before carrying on with the mission. I am glad we did not have to make the decision which many pet owners have to make at the vet. We brought dazel home and he left us on the place where he used to play and sleep.