18/08/2023
In celebration of National Aspin Day, let me share Timmy’s story.
Three weeks after my dog bestfriend died on the first day of ECQ in 2020, I noticed a brown-faced dog sitting in front of our house every night. There was a profound emptiness in me when my dog died because suddenly I felt like I had lost my sense of purpose. Suddenly I didn’t need to go home immediately after work, I had no one to medicate, I had no one to syringe-feed, I had no one to monitor day and night. Suddenly, I had no one to take care of. And so when I saw this brown-faced dog, I wanted to take care of him.
He was very scared of humans at first. I would see him every night outside our house by a tree and I would bring him food. He would cower and run away and just come back for the food when no one is around. He didn’t want to be touched or petted. This went on for weeks until one day, he allowed me to pet him. And then carry him. We named him Timmy.
We found out that Timmy is a semi-stray dog and his real name is Usi. However, his owners just let him wander around our barangay and feeds him from time to time.
Now, 3 years after I met him, he knows our meal times already. He waits by our gate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except when it’s raining or if there’s a party somewhere). When we went to Japan for a vacation, my second cousin who happens to be our neighbor messaged me that Timmy was waiting by our gate and so she fed him (yes just like Hachiko!).
Timmy grew from a very scared and insecure dog to a happy, loving and loyal one. Even if I don’t own him, I feel very blessed that he came to my life at the right time.
All dogs deserve to be celebrated. They bring extreme joy and comfort to our lives as pet owners regardless of their breed. Happy National Aspin Day!
