Volunteering at the Mandaluyong Animal Shelter. Adopt a dog there!

Trying to divert my attention and do something constructive, I decided to volunteer at the Mandaluyong Animal Shelter this afternoon. I had learned of its weekend volunteer program a few days ago. I wanted to do something extra for doggie kind and society. The head of its operations Li-An is doing an admirable job, despite the few resources offered to her, unlike the big welfare societies in the Philippines. Keeping stray dogs off the streets to save them from being turned into someone's beer snack or preventing them from situations where they would attack vulnerable humans is a must in this imperfect world.

There were so many dog I saw, in need of a better place and lots of love to calm them in stressful situations. I hope someone else would have the heart to adopt these dogs. If Cisca's situation gets better and once I have the financial sources, I plan to adopt a small friendly dog for Cisca to play with. She needs a companion more than ever to divert her attention from me whenever I have to be somewhere else. It's an option I'm considering.

This makes me think of the irresponsible breeders and puppy mills running in our country and in the US. I remember seeing a lovely Golden Retriever puppy stuck in a glass cage for most of the day in the malls. I can say the same thing for pet stores in  popular markets across the city, where profit over affection has won over. It also opened my eyes to the necessity of spay and neuter responsibility of dog owners to minimize strays from the streets. During my time at MAS, a man was asking how much the dogs in the cage were for eating. It was worsened by the fact that he had a dog with him. There is indeed evil in this world.

These dogs need your attention and parenting. Left all alone but with each other, some lose hope and soon become jaded of human affection. The reason dogs evolved from Wolves was because of human care and partnership. I think we're evolving into a more sinister species. I'll return tomorrow and during other weekends depending on Cisca's condition. I pray I can financially handle Cisca's medical and overall needs and have some left over for a playmate. Search them at facebook: Help Mandaluyong Animal Shelter. Every action you give saves multitudes of lives of these strays.

The day ended like a storybook. A stray puppy, who had been rescued only a day ago, found his forever home, by Mary Grace Domingo, a first time volunteer who had lost her dog only days ago. She had named him Thor due to his noblity and kindness in the face of a depressing situation. Here's to having more dogs adopted at MAS!

Preparing for Cisca's last return

As a parent, one of the worst things to experience is to learn that your child is dying. With pets, its a given, we outlast them 10 years to One approximately. But when it happens sudden and unexpected, as if she's being taken from you during her childhood years, that's when it becomes tragic.

Cisca seems to be on her final days. Her kidney problems which may have developed over the years and due to old age, may be catching up with her. I'd just like to make her final days as happy as it can be for her. I've never loved someone in my entire life and no one has touched my life and made that much of an impact on that short time than her.

They say love is letting go and letting things be. This may be the most bitter of loves I've ever had. I wuv my Ishbu.

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I made a twitter account for me, Cisca and wherever my dog loving adventures send me. Follow me at: https://twitter.com/CiscaChronicles.

Cisca's finally eating.

I was so worried about my little Ishbu a while ago. I wondered how she was, almost alone in the climnic. I called the clinic and spoke to an assistant (the vets were out for the holiday). I was elated to hear that Cisca ate a little. Things are getting better. I miss you, old girl!

A life without dogs.

I've been feeling the blues lately. Without Cisca at home and with the knowledge that she's gravely sick, I'm starting to have a scenario of having a life without a dog. I really can't imagine what kind of life it would be. I was miserable and grew maddened without my Cassandra. To face life without your best friend is just plain harrowing. Should I love and adopt again? Do I have the time for a career and a dog?

Cisca took most of my time, and I thank her for that. However I'd like to go forward with my career. But when Cicsa get's back, I'll devote more than 100% of my time with her. I'm scared of seeing her convulse again. I really don't know if I should go ahead with life with a shelter dog. I feel so conflicted. Maybe I need more time to think this through. I know that this is a test from God. He's testing to see how committed I am to loving someone. Cisca, I won't give up on you.

Cisca update 10/31/2013

Cisca has to be in the clinic until Saturday. I wish she'd stay more just to be sure she's okay. I just learned that she's a really old dog, which is probably why her kidneys are failing. She still doesn't want to eat. I visited her earlier. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. My old girl's childlike fascination for the world continues. She appears to be strong. I just wish she'd eat.

I met new friends earlier a couple, +Aaron Mamiit  and +Jeng Mamiit. They were so nice to Cisca. They brought her a doggie cake and treats. I adore their four dogs. By the way I might be volunteering at the @Mandaluyong Animal Shelter, to feed the homeless and vulnerable dogs there. The people who run this place are admirable. They run it as purely volunteer and do not ask for cash at all. I'll post something about them soon.

Cisca's back at the vet, I'm blaming myself.

Last night Cisca convulsed. She was very sick when  she got home. I knew she should have stayed for days at the vet clinic. It was such a tragic event for me. I keep asking myself where I went wrong. I kept her healthy, fed her, bathed and give her meds. My family and other people will blame me. It will always be my fault. Everything I do is wrong. Even to rescue a shelter dog. They all wanted me to buy a Golden Retriever and they promised they would support me, but when it came to adopting a shelter dog, all those promises of support and financial help went away.

I'm in the middle of blaming myself and getting angry at others who didn't care enough for me this year. A lot of things were done to me by my family. It was very savage and cruel. Now they neglected me and tried to make me feel bad while I tried to make ends meet and support a loving and sweet creature like Cisca.

I'll be the goat, I'll be the villain in the end, like the way it's always been in my country., I live in a country where people like to pull each other down, to make themselves feel good, or to divert their inadequacies or incompetence to others.

All I can say is I tried my best. I really did try my best. I gave her more than what my world could offer. I have no regrets in adopting Cisca. I loved, cared and was 100% responsible to her solely. I'll remember her fondly. Maybe one day, when my heart has mended, I'll foster a dog or two who are about to get euthanized. Cisca may possibly be gone, but our story remains.