The Goodbye
It was another Sunday morning for me as I slowly opened my eyes after sleeping in late. I had a meeting with a couple of old colleagues and had a nice evening the day before. I took a cheeky look at the clock on my wall and it took a while for my brain to register that it is indeed Sunday morning. I continued to lay there in my bed out of sheer laziness thinking whether or not to get out of bed. However, I chose not to waste the day and I got a move on. A quick glance at the phone and tuned in the TV for news complemented by my morning cup of tea. I then proceeded to my backyard and was looking for my furry friend, my good old Labrador. As usual, he sensed my presence and came towards me...
But something is not right today. There is something different in the way he looked at me. His eyes wanted to tell me something but I couldn't read what it was. Immediately, I noticed his paws struggling to make the next step and before I knew it, he collapsed on the floor right in the concrete floor. I could hear his ribs punch the floor with such force and the loud thud felt like a stab in my chest. I rushed to him, gently stroking his furry chest with my trembling fingers. I never felt his heartbeat this strong in our time together. I was hoping that it was something stuck in his paws but as time ticked on, I realized that his limbs were no longer moving and they simply gave up on him. Then things took a turn for the worse when his head stopped moving and I realized the time for him to say goodbye to me was inching closer and closer. I put my hand underneath his chin and stroked him gently just to let him know that it is going to be alright. Since he no longer had the strength to move, I dipped my fingers in his water bowl and wet his tongue, and he gladly took it.
My mind traveled back thirteen years to the day when this guy entered my life. I remember the excitement I had the whole day knowing we were due to visit the place where he was being raised. It was around 8pm at night when we finally brought him home. This was at a time before the social media rave and smartphone junk. So I had no such luxury to capture the happiness at the time. I was still a student back then and I had time to spend with him and play with him. As my life progressed forward with new roles in life and at work, my furry friend was there to see it all and tolerate my carelessness. If anyone knew me deep apart from my family, then it was without a doubt this big guy. Whenever I remember the movie "Marley and Me", my mind instantly would tell me that I have a Marley of my own lol.
I felt a sudden kick from his rear leg and I was brought back to the current day. I thought for a second, "Wait! He is going to be okay". But then I looked at his eyes...they are not moving anymore. I put my hand in his belly...I gave it a gentle stroke...no movement...His spirit had finally left. My dog just died on me. I sat there for a bit more trying to regain composure and try to come in terms with what just happened. Remembering him, I wanted to go back in time and correct some of the things I did. Like how I avoided playing with him in the name of a hectic schedule at work. I wish I was there to script more memories of him. I failed him countless times and yet he loved me like anything. Goodbye, my furry friend...
We will be separated for now but do not worry. One day life will take its leash off my spirit and I will be free too and we will be reunited. And then we will take that walk together you always wanted and take a big jump over the horizon.