Ivana Atmojo

I was ecstatic that I happened to be in town last November 11, for my daughter’s 11th b’day. By now you’d know that I’m referring to Spike (my puppy, whom I adore very very much). I’ve always had the tradition of cooking some noodle for her to eat on her b’day (+ a boiled egg, of course), buying birthday cake, and blowing candles ( + making a wish too, I suppose).

Well this year was no exception. Above was her mini b’day cake. I carefully selected non-chocolate cake, as we know that chocolate is poisonous for dogs (I couldn’t believe it too at first, but it’s true!)—the chocolate that human beans usually eat can actually kill a dog!

Spike ate the whole cake and she loved it! She’s a girl with proper manner, so she did not eat the cake until I spoonfed her

Looking at Spike this time just made me realise even more how much I love her. I love her very much, regardless of her imperfections. True, she may not be the best-looking puppy:

>>She’s a non-pedigree, I’m not even sure if she’s really a poodle as I was told. Well, her parents are poodles. I guess Spike just really chooses to look different

>>As she grows older, the puppy tear accumulates under her eyes—forming two dark diagonal lines

>>Her eye sight is not as clear anymore, and the sound of her barking gets very husky

>>Sometimes she gets arthritis attack; and her ear mites doesn’t really seem to go away no matter what medication she’s been through.

I know she’s not beautiful (as in traditional definition), but she’s beautiful to me in her own little ways…and I truly love her for just the way she is. I love her every flaws and her every imperfections. Why? Because that’s what make her MY Spike! I love her because we’ve been through so much together. Eleven years are not short, and I’m eternally grateful for the love & affection that she’s shared (and still does) with me & my whole family. Without her, my days since I was 13 years old would have been different. And I can say that without her, I may not be the same person that I am today.

I come to realise that I’ve really learnt a lesson of LOVING simply by loving Spike. I guess that’s what it will be like when you really love someone. Even when we’ve grown old and we may not look the same as we were some 30 years ago, but we just know that we have loved each other even more by day—and whatever we’ve been through together become something that’s placed really deep in our hearts that nothing in the world can replace.

Having a pet may seem to be a trivial thing, but really….you’ll be surprised of how much we can learn from our pets, and how much we can learn from each other. Animals are inspirations! Just make sure our eyes and hearts are open