THE PUPSIES FIRST BIRTHDAY

Sarafina, Biff and Galeno turned one on 17 July 2009.

MY FOREVER GIRL

FLASHBACK:1994 ... One thing led to another. I had finally moved out on my own at 24, and it meant I could finally get a dog of my own. While borrowing newspapers from one neighbour, I met another - Adeline. During a walk with her terrier-mix Danzer, Adeline had met a lady who grooms dogs.

Groom dogs???!!! I thought Poodles were born with those pom-poms.

Perhaps this lady groomer could help me get a dog. And so, I was introduced to Irene Ng of Rene's Cocker Spaniels.

Irene had a Cocker Spaniel kept with the Nelson family, awaiting permanent re-homing. I was to wait a couple of anxiety-filled months before I was brought to see the dog.

My very own dog, a pedigree even. Would the Nelsons really give her to me?

And what is an English Cocker Spaniel???!!!

The day finally arrived. I drove with Irene to the Nelsons' house on a lovely summery afternoon. At the gate, I was mobbed by a family of four gigantic Cocker Spaniels. Inside, the rest of the furry crew greeted me: four cats and a precocious Shihtzu. The Nelsons love animals; their furry crew were living in absolute perfect harmony with complete freedom. Twenty minutes of introductions and polite conversation followed, before I found it appropriate to ask to see Sarah. The maid (whom Sarah was quite attached to) was summoned to carry her out from her hiding place in the kitchen.

Puny and suspicious, Sarah stood a good 10 feet away from me with a piercing icy glare. I moved a little to approach her and she cowered away.

Irene had Sarah bundled in her arms throughout the drive back to her grooming salon in town. When Irene got off, Sarah and I were finally alone together for the first time. Stubbornly, she sat on the passenger seat with her back towards me, turning to glance at me only once, when I yawned aloud. A million worries swam around my mind in a pool of excitement.

How will I handle her flaking skin problem? What if she would not eat? Will I have to return her to the Nelsons then? She does not seem to want me ...

BUT I WANTED HER SO BADLY!

I carried Sarah into our home and set her down. She walked off to sniff around while I watched, sitting cross-legged on the floor. After a minute, I called her name. She stopped, turned to look at me, and then ... walked straight onto my lap!

INSTANT MAGIC - WE BONDED WITH ONE ANOTHER!

Immediately I cancelled my planned weekend trip, brought Sarah to the vet and started her skin treatment.

The days were filled with administering treatment and spoling her with loads of new comforts. The nights were spent doing TV dinners and long walks together, and of course, cuddling in bed with each other.

Socialising was a also constant affair, and soon, the scrawny, shaky, flaky dog that so amused Aunty Ruby blossomed into a proud, confident madame with glossy red hair.

SARAH, HER PROGENY AND OTHER BABES ... On my 27th birthday, Sarah came into season. I had her mated and she gave me eight beautiful healthy puppies. I chosed two for myself: Buffy and Fiffy. Fiffy went on to become my first Malaysian Champion. Sarah was a very stict mother - she always kept her two 'monkeys' in check.

She was the same with Dolly and Elly. Never failing to remind them who was boss, yet gentle with them. Many a time, I would catch either of them kissing Sarah or vice versa. She also taught Dolly about the birds and the bees.

SARAH AND ME ... Sarah changed my life forever, in every way. She brought into my life, many friends and knowledge. Irene Ng became my godmother. I was introduced to the world of show Cocker Spaniels. And I got to know some wonderful people who are now my good friends.

Our relationship was, and forever will be, so very special. The bond we share is unbreakable. I gave her love, care, happiness and security in a time when she was in need. She returned all that to me a million times over; she stucked by my side in my times of sadness and pain, bringing me comfort and companionship, all unconditionally.

I remember the day I was diagnosed with a lesion in my brain. I was so scared. It was Sarah who helped me through the lonely hours of fear. It was her too who kept me going when I was in depression and was giving up on living. Whenever I started to cry, she would come running over to me, sit herself on my lap and lick my tears.

My pillar of strength, always.

If I am only allowed one word to describe what Sarah is to me, the word would be LOYAL.

We belong completely to each other for eternity, my sunshine and me.

A DECADE ... In January 2004, Sarah's breast tumour grew large suddenly, and one day, it had a massive bleeding. Praise the LORD that not only could it be surgically removed, but also, the operation was very successful, recovery was fast, and the best - Sarah seemed rejuvenated.

April 2004: Sarah's cancer had spread to her lungs and abdomen. She was weak and slept most of the time. Whenever she woke, she would cough painfully. Her mind was still alert though. I dropped everything else to be with her totally, for I knew I had to return her to the LORD to be made well again.

LORD, thank You for this wonderful soul You have put into my life. Thank You for the strength and comfort during our parting. I know you have taken Sarah into Your arms, taken away her pain and made her whole again. Keep her for me until the day that You decide that we should meet again.

"Goodbye for now, my baby. Fly over to the LORD and HE will give you the peace and joy you so very much deserve. Mama loves you for all eternity." - 8 April 2004

PORTRAITS OF SARAH

1991: nonchalant puppy

19 May 1994 : Not long after I took her home, her ringworm had cured and her fur came out beautifully.

1994: CG (Baiduriville Sasha Candy), the same age as Sarah, was the only dog that Sarah loved to play with. CG had such a lovely temperament and allowed Sarah to boss her around.

3 November 1994: a very pregnant Sarah, the day before she whelped.

16 November 1994: with her eight twelve-days-old puppies, inclusive of Buffy and Fiffy.

13 July 1995: my all-time favourite self-taken shot of Sarah.

2000: Christmas dress-up

July 2001: waiting beside me while I worked on my PC before going to bed.

January 2002: Screwing up her face as I get ready to go out, without her.

January 2002: refusing to wake up and get off the bed.

Sarah and I shared the same favourite time of the day: SUNSET. We will be at the window seat basking in the golden glow. Of course, she would take the opportunity too, to show off to the world that she guards our house and no one has the right to be within 50 feet radius.

8 July 2002: eleventh birthday celebration with the babes.

18 July 2008: :-P

22 July 2002: sleepyhead

February 2003: displaying her show stack.

July 2003: wildly happy

8 July 2003: twelfth birthday

9 July 2003: Cover Shots

21 August 2003: One of the first few shots I took with my first digital camera was this one of Sarah, and I was mighty pleased with the results.

2 February 2004: one week after her breast cancer tumour removal, with her angpow from Aunty Farah.

12 February 2004: little did I know, the sun was going down on us.

6 April 2004: our last sunset watch together, for now.

6 April 2004: our sunset

8 April 2004: until we meet again, I will miss you every minute, MY FOREVER GIRL :-X

FIFFY

MY FIRST MALAYSIAN CHAMPION ...

Fiffy was THE ONE I was hoping for when I bred Sarah - a dog that I was able to show. The moment she popped out, I knew she was IT.

She was first shown in 1995, for two years. Then I gave up showing until she was three and half. After a couple of shows in her 'comeback', she was titled. It was a most memorable show, as she not only achieved her title, but was also the Reserve Malaysian Bred In Show.

Fiffy has a most lovely temperament, the guardian of all the other babes, very independant yet very attentive to me. A darling on and off the show ring.

4 NOVEMBER 1994

PORTRAITS OF FIFFY

December 1994: Grouchy puppy

19 December 1996: Goldilocks

31 August 1998: Malaysian Champion and Res Mal Bred In Show

December 1999: Silver Belle

24 August 2003: Angeleyes

4 Novemver 2004: Forever babyface

BUFFY

4 NOVEMBER 1994 - 14 APRIL 2009

HE THINKS HE IS MR MACHO ...

Buffy was the largest in the litter and the last one out. He was shown a couple of times alongside his sister Fiffy, for the fun of it.

Stud boy got his first chance when he was six years old: he sired a litter of five healthy puppies. The following year, he furthur proved himself yet again, with two litters of a total of eight healthy puppies. It must be added too that, Buffy was very quick on the job and required no assistance.

Buffy carried on Sarah's legacy for me. On 17 July 2008, he and Dolly had seven beautiful puppies.

Buffy lived solely for my attention. He is my little court jester.

December 2008 to April 2009 was a very painful period for me: Buffy fell ill and deteriorated over the months. On 14 April 2009, one of his 'better' days, the Lord took him home ...

I miss you so much, my Buff Boy ... love you forever ...

PORTRAITS OF BUFFY

December 1994: White buffalo puppy

19 December 1996: with that cute little tuft of topknot

December 1999: Charming Santa Boy

4 November 2004: Handsome old boy

26 March 2009: with daughter Sarafina

26 March 2009: with me, our last photo together :-(