Lucas – The Adventures of a Yorkshire Terrier

It was in May 2004. I had just come home from a long shift at work and looking forward to crashing down on my bed. When I was about to reach home, I heard a series of distinct barks that was coming from my room (I was staying in a HDB flat with my parents back then, with the windows facing out to the corridor). First thought was that my brother had some friends over, and one of them owned a dog. “There goes my plan of crashing”, I thought to myself.

Little did I know that day was a huge turning point for me, and I was on the way to be a very lucky pet parent to a Yorkshire Terrier named Lucas. When I reached home, I saw this cute little bundle huddled in one corner and barking his head off. Turns out, that day was his first day being adopted, and my brother had brought him home, as a companion for my mother.

I spent the coming days trying to cajole him into 1) not being so “barky”, and 2) to accept us as his forever home/parents. I fell deeply in love with this dog as days went by. Whenever I come home, his short stump of a tail will be wagging to the point where I thought it might just drop off. 😊

He was a very mischievous little bundle of joy and loves to snuggle his head between my legs when he fell asleep. And, yes, we became inseparable, and we slept together for as long as I can remember. I still remember that whenever my mother was to raise her voice (as all mothers does every time), he will also raise his voice at her. Seemingly to say, do not scold my dad and please talk properly to him.

Days turned into months, and months turned into years. When I got married and moved out, Lucas followed me into my matrimonial home. He had some difficulties adjusting to the new environment, and unfortunately, I had to leave him in the kitchen, while giving him a comfy cushion to sleep on, and room to roam/walk around. The first 2 weeks were difficult for both of us, as he had trouble not seeing me at night, and will bark to ask me to come. Needless to say, I spent those 2 weeks sleeping in the kitchen with him by my side.

I remembered the night before he passed, and I was, as usual, feeding him his favorite treats, with him in between my crossed legs. He did not have much appetite for that past week, and I knew something was wrong.

 

I then had this feeling that he was asking me to bath him, sensing that that was one of the final times. I then bathed him, dug his ear, brushed his teeth, and set him down to sleep. The next afternoon, he was gone. My wife called me to tell me around 2pm, that he was motionless. I could not think straight, and went home straight, while calling my boss that I just had to leave.

On the way home, I was crying, and I was in a mess. (Even now, tears started to well in my eyes when I am writing this). I could not believe that my best friend, my love, has left without saying goodbye. On hindsight, that bath was his last goodbye to me. He wanted to leave without any smell, nor tangled fur, and he wanted me to remember him that way. When I saw him, his body had already started to harden. I knelt down and cried. And cried, I did. Deep down, I knew it was time, but I did not want to let go. My wife was also crying next to me, as we had a lot of memories with Lucas. I lost track of time, but I knew I had to bring him to the vet. I brought him to his usual vet, and I went in and out of the clinic, not wanting to let go of him. Eventually, after several times, I said my last goodbye.

He passed on 27^th June 2018, aged 14 years old. I will always remember Lucas as a friend that I did not have, but I was lucky enough to have. That type of unconditional love can only be given by him.

Goodbye my friend, and I hope you are up on the rainbow bridge playing catch and having a great time. I will see you soon enough.