The dog that changed my family


My family had undergone a dramatic change when this little boy came under our roof almost three months ago. The heavy mood that draped the house turned over almost immediately, painting a brighter picture of what it was like when I was 6.

We were a dog family – when we could afford to maintain the upkeep. Twelve Pugs, two German Shepherds and a Beagle later we decided it was time for rest. That was ten years ago. And thus, ten years later I figured that my mom’s senile aura could be broken if I surprised her with a new member of the family, as long as i didn’t get anyone pregnant.

So meet Hondo. Ever since he came to our roof, good things have been happening. My mom calls him our little lucky charm: In terms of work, I finally found the jobs I wanted. My brother got thinner and his skin condition improved. My mom and dad have become less grumpy, though age really does amazing things to people approaching 60.

It wasn’t always like this. When I got Hondo, he was a three month old Boston Terrier. It so happened (to my dismay) that he had an enlarged tummy which I thought was pretty normal for young pups that ate a lot. Long story short, he was sick. He had the worms and also suffered the chance of having an enlarged liver. At this point, I tried to ignore a very difficult question – do I return him to the owner and ask for my money back? I couldn’t do it. It’s like being gifted with a child with disabilities and not being grateful for the gift of life.

So I made a choice and nursed the boy back to health with several days worth of medication and a strict diet. Yes it cost me, but I can’t quantify the rewards our little doggie has brought today. While I was at work on the seventh day of Hondo’s medication, my mom sent me a message saying “Look, Hondo is running and jumping around the house.” Tears of joy.

I love you little Hondo! Even if you pee on everything when you get excited! And bite my toes. And eat the grass. And collect garden stones and put them in your collection pile.

By Jayvee Fernandez

Jayvee Fernandez is a tech enthusiast, EAN certified SCUBA Diver and underwater photographer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. His photos and videos have appeared in various international and local publications including Random House Germany, Discovery Channel Canada, and CNN.

6 replies on “The dog that changed my family”

Aaawwe! With a face and eyes like that! So cute! Have two dogs at home and they do light up the mood at the house somehow. 🙂

And yes by the way, The links are pushed down on IE.

Yep. That’s how dogs are. They’re like little human babies who after a hard day’s work, you suddenly see yourself running around playing with him/her. And no amount of spanking (you give them for peeing all over the place or chewing on your favorite shoe) will stop them from giving you unconditional love. 😀

Yeay! My first comment to you! I’ll link you up in a while. 🙂

Our lives were changed forever too just two weeks ago as we got a 3 month old shih tzu (plus fleas) and named him Chewy (after Chewbacca).

My dad always joked that he likes bigger dogs and getting a tiny dog might be a disaster as he might accidentally step on him or turn the dog into a rag. But my dad has softened up, he even lets the dog sleep in his room! My mom, on the other hand, has always wanted a shih tzu and so when she finally got one, she kept cooing and talking to it like it came out of her! My little brothers, thankfully, do not fight over him. I caught my sister, who talks in her sleep, WHISTLING in her sleep, as if she was calling Chewy! And as for me, the moment I carried him and put him on my lap the first night we had him, I fell in love. And I just love it when he gets excited because I’m around. =) Chewy is getting spoiled though. Whenever I pet him, he almost automatically lays on his back so I could scratch his underbelly!

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