Lala Just Died.

Lola (pronounced as Lala) just died. She looked like she was just sleeping, with her usual position of two front legs up. But upon closer look, she has stopped breathing.

She used to live in an exclusive village. My friend Barbie found her and "rescued" her. She was so neglected she had a boy's name. For 10 years she lived with that. It was only after she was groomed (and was nicknamed Kojak) that they discovered she was a girl. Having more than what she can already handle, my friend sent picture messages of Kojak, asking if anyone wanted to adopt her.


Kojak (sent over MMS)

Nobody seemed to want her, said Barbie, when I asked. She was worried I wouldn't like her that she offered to let me take a look before I decide. But I said it won't be necessary. So we picked her up, with a nice note from Barbie that she will be missed. When I first saw her, you wouldn't think she was 10 years old. She was shy but she immediately warmed up to me that of the three people who were there to pick her up, I was the only one s/he didn't try to bite.

It was love at first sight, maybe. Or trust.

And I named her Lola (pronounced as Lala) V*****. We got along pretty well. I'm a sucker for beautiful eyes and these, she had. The first night she spent with us, I almost got angry with my brother who I thought slept through the Smallville Episode we were watching. I heard snoring! And it turned out, it was my dog!

Lola, my shihtzu saved me from spending nights alone in my apartment. She is pretty low-key. She likes SM Bonus dog food and won't even touch Alpo. She doesn't mind if you cut her hair. She's simple like that. She's been to a Kuh Ledesma concert at Eastwood. She also has gone malling and had stayed at Starbucks. She's gone on a road trip, from Manila to Naga City. She has experienced the country, of running and falling into grass (it was so funny seeing her bewildered with the lawn. It was awe and fear at the same time). But being brave that she is, she began to walk. And we ended up chasing each other. I meant she running after me. It was cool that she responded to "Lala" although sometimes she forgot we were referring to her. She was the first stranger I have brought to a family reunion in Legazpi. So yes, she has experienced a road trip from Naga to Legazpi. So yes, she has spent time with my family. My youngest cousins, Stephen and Fiona, had a blast running after her and with her. It was so funny when she stopped, too tired to play, and Stephen begging her to. But she won't budge. Something that I like about her. She stands (okay sits) her ground. If she needs something, she wont stop until you give in. But she's pretty quiet (no complaints about barking) when she's left at home alone. When she needs to pee, she will tell you. She prances and shuffles around. She snores. She sleeps like a human. And she's simple. And pretty. It's been a year and 9 months since we first met.

If myths are true that pets save you from evil things that are about to happen to you, Lola just might have offered her life to protect us.

To Lola, I know we dont have the perfect relationship but I want you to know, I love you. I'm sure you will find Tatad and Tagtag in pet heaven.