Angel with a Tail, not Wings

A photo of Baby with her birthday cake 3 years ago. We celebrate her birthday every year on April 18th and she will be pampered with treats, new toys, cute outfits and sometimes even a new bed.

An animal lover since young, I fondly remember when the walls of my room were plastered with posters of different dog breeds, shelves full of dog magazines from around the world and floor scattered with countless toys resembling dogs. Whenever I watch movies involving dogs, I can't help but be fascinated by their intelligence, selflessness, protectiveness and more, topped off with their cute and endearing looks. It was something that I wanted for a long time and to pacify me, my parents would buy me all sorts of pets be it goldfishes, tortoises and even hamsters because having a furkid would be too much of a responsibility at that time.

Here are the many faces and antics of our beloved Baby. Sometimes she comply, other times, if you look at the photo on far right, that's her 'no' face.

A few years later when we visited Kampar, a town in Perak, we bumped into a family raising many furry companions and a pair of them just gave birth not long ago. One of the puppies came dashing, half waddling and half running to us, kissing us all over like a furball full of love she is despite it being the first time meeting us. That moment, we knew, that she has to be the new addition to our family, and that's the story of how Baby came into my life. Some may say that we named her Baby because we lack creativity but I insist it is because that she will always be the Baby in our hearts, no matter what happens.

Baby has a different bed in each of our rooms because, as you can tell from her face, our princess is already tired at 2 years old. Though, most of the times, she prefers our bed over her own.

I still remember vividly the journey back home from Kampar with a smile on my face and card box beside my seat with a palm-sized sleeping puppy in it. Over the years, Baby has given us nothing but happiness, laughter and a lot to learn from her. Furry companions have so much love to give and I find it hard to sit with the fact that some people treat them in an undeserving way. I do find it very heartwarming and adorable when Baby tails around behind us wherever we go with her short legs, welcome us home with excessive tail wagging and playful barks, charms us with her puppy eyes when she demands for her share of treats and I can go on and on.

This photo was taken when Baby was just 4 months old. She may look big here but she is actually just a little bigger than my palm at that time.

To me, a pet is more than just an animal that you take ownership of. They are part of your family and should be treated like one too. Furry companions can teach us countless, priceless life lessons. Baby's addition to our family has strengthened our family members' relationship between each other as our topics eventually gravitate around her, her quirkiness, her naughty antics and more when we spend time together in the living room. She is always there for us, ready to spread grins on our faces and comfort us whenever we are sick or upset. Mornings were better with her aggressive jumps on my bed and all-nighters were not so lonely anymore with her company.

Baby loves it when the wind blows on her face but she doesn't really like the scorching sun that heats up the floor that makes her tiny little princess paws uncomfortable. She likes it best when we let her pop her head a little out the car window to enjoy the breeze.

Having a furkid is beyond providing the necessities for them because you will be thinking about them from time to time throughout the day. They bring in so much joy into your life in an effortless way you don't doubt they are born with it. They are also great bridges to socialisation and making new friends if you are the adventurous type of person. Dubbed as 'Man's best friend' that is loyal to the bone, they probably pledged their lives to us since the moment we take them under our wings. Through danger they protect and through affection they share. These furry companions surely add more colours and vibrance to our lives.

We have no self-control when we come across adorable outfits for Baby and this is just one of the many proofs.

You see, I really believe dogs are angels on earth and eventually, all dogs go to heaven. They have long learnt to love with all of their hearts, having no space for hatred or negativity and that is something mankind has to learn. People always say that you are the world to your pets and isn't that so beautifully phrased if you think about it? In the eyes of your furkid, you mean as much as the world and little did they know, they too, are your world in a way. Perhaps, the bond between furry companions and their dear humans is too complex to be put into words. Nonetheless, not everything needs to be explained but rather we just have to appreciate it and live in the moment. This year, Baby will be celebrating her 11th birthday with us and I can't express how grateful and happy I am for her to come into my life that fateful day.