OUR MIRACLE BOY

- In memory of Tomo II (2007.1 ~ 2014.12.7)

Tomo’s nickname was “wee-wee boy” when he was still a baby.  During his housebreaking training period, he had peed on us, both Daddy and Mommy on two separate occasions when we were holding him and trying to get him outside quickly for relief.  Anyone who has two eyes, no strike that, one eye will be enough to see how sorry Tomo was for the accident.  He looked up at us with his big trusting brown eyes and blinked quickly as if saying, Oops! 

Tomo was a mix breed of Border collie (no doubt the cleverest kind) and black Labrador, but the emphasis was on the Labrador part for Tomo.  Indeed, Tomo Jr. was not as smart or as handsome as his predecessor Tomo Sr., but he certainly made up with the sweetness in his temperament.  He wagged his tail to the vet who was giving him vaccination or drawing blood; he wagged his tail to the vet who was poking him with lots of acupuncture needles; one time because of necessity, Daddy and Mommy had to hold him down when the vet sew him up with only local anesthesia, and yes, the tail was thumping on the surgery table loud and clear when he was in distress. That’s our boy Tomo, someone who was made of honey.

Tomo means “a friend” in Japanese and he has certainly lived up to his name.  While Nico III, our 10-year-old Golden Retriever can be rather grumpy when meeting a new addition to our household, Tomo always acted like a caring big brother when we brought back new puppies to the gang.  With an uncanny six sense, Tomo had also acted gently with other injured or sick dog with special tender care.  He would even yield his toys to them during a tug-of-war.  He just knew.

Tomo got sick in mid-October with Lyme disease complicated by kidney failure.  He was too weak to climb stairs for two weeks so we all camped downstairs with him sleeping on the floor.  Even with intensive care and treatment both at the hospital and at home, we all thought that we might have to face the inevitable soon.  However, Tomo decided that he wasn’t going to give up yet.  Miraculously, he regained appetite and wanted to go for walk, rode in the car, and stuck his little black nose out from the car window alongside with his two brothers, Nico III and Inu III.  No wonder, when Mommy walked Tomo into the hospital for another bloodwork checkup in mid-November, the veterinarian doctor said that she really did not expect to see Tomo again and in such high spirit.  The doc called Tomo “The Miracle Dog”!

Several friends and the vets had commented that Tomo was lucky to have us to care for him during his illness, but in reality it was the reverse.  Indeed, the fact that we have the good luck of becoming Tomo’s Daddy and Mommy for 8 years is a miracle of life.  Truthfully, why can’t we all be more like our dogs?  Giving unconditional love to others and live each moment to its fullest.  Unlike us, doggies are not angry or deceitful creatures.  They may growl and show disagreement to make a point from time to time, but they do not live in hatred.  No matter what the activities are, eating, playing, going out for walk and so on, they enjoy everything they do, and their joy just spill over for us to share.  More importantly, their seeking of happiness is not at the expense of others.

Saying goodbye to Tomo Jr. was such a tough decision, but it would be so wrong to prolong his suffering for our own sake.  While out driving with Nico and Inu earlier, as soon as a fire engine was in the vicinity, we started to wind up the window but stopped half way and burst into tears because it reminded us of Tomo, who “discriminated” against fire engine, not siren from police car or ambulance, and would howled along with their blasting horn.  But Daddy said that we should not shed too much tears because if we could not let go, then Tomo wouldn’t be able to go to heaven to visit Grandma, Inu I, Inu II, and Tottoro I, before he turns around and come back to us again soon.  Yes, ALL dogs go to heaven.  Where else can they go for such loving and selfless creatures?!

To Tomo II with Love, wet kisses, and bear hugs from the gang,

Daddy (Hiro), Mommy (Li-Lin), Stormy, Nico III, Tottoro III, & Inu III   

Tomo II (Day One with Daddy, April 2007)