Farewell, Fischer

Last Saturday, our Dalmatian pet, nay, family member passed away in his sleep. His life was shortened by a brutal struggle with epilepsy, which continually battered his body and ruined his brain for the better part of his existence.

Named for the famous chess player, Fischer was the pride of our household — he drew stares and ooohs and aaahs just by sitting at the garden. Both children going to the nearby school and adults going home from Mass never ceased to flash a wide smile and point their fingers at Fischer.

Our dog was also very prolific, having sired dozens of half-Dalmatian puppies; I’m not exaggerating when I write that he might’ve produced more than fifty pups. Among Fischer’s children were the four we lost to Parvo two years ago.

The only consolation for our loss is the knowledge that other people might’ve given up on Fischer early on in his life. Take it from me — an epilectic dog the size of a Dalmatian causes havoc in the household, especially if the dog goes ‘insane’ later on.

Now, even with four dogs remaining, I find the empty space on the living room floor, in front of the TV, to be unsettling. Fischer was sleeping there just a few days ago. Before that, way way back when I was in high school, he used to sleep upstairs. Day in and day out, he’d climb atop my bed at 6 A.M. to wake me up for my class. Licking my face and ears and snuggling by my side would do the trick.

Goodbye, old chap. You will be missed.

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He ia a fine-looking chap. Don’t worry, as I’ve said, he’s lived a full life if you ask me. :)

Yeah, he’s a lucky dog to have you as his master. :) Well done taking care of Fischer. Hope he finds happiness in doggie heaven. :)

Cheer up my friend. Let’s go out some time.

i love my dogs so much. i know how you must feel when your friend moves on. but he had a good life. and so did you, with him.

much love. xx.

…my condolences. seems like you loved him dearly.

:’(

anyways dogs go to heaven. :)

Corsair, where are you? Your readers miss you.

condolences..

ia, it would’ve been better if his ‘full life’ were really a dog’s full life. still, better that his suffering was ended quite sooner than we expected. :)

geo, thanks man. yes, let’s go out — i’m missing krispy kreme a lot, hehe. (btw, i’m very sorry to hear about the hacking thing, and double apologies for not having checked up on you earlier. the past weeks have been utterly chaotic.)

illyria, thank you very much for that. i can’t fully explain this, but it’s always great to feel another person’s affection for animals, especially when there are lots of “so what?” people running amok out there.

hey lorie, thank you for dropping by my blog, and for the sympathies :)

jonas, buti na lang kamo. otherwise, i would be terribly disappointed in Heaven, hehe.

dividend, present! thanks for the reminder that some people still read this blog. according to my stats, visits have been pitiful these past months ;) actually, this past year.

cai, thanks. good luck with your freelance writing and thesis!

[...] My last post about Fischer backfired. Call me sentimental — my dog’s pic made me avoid this blog for some time. That, and every delinquent blogger’s pet excuse — “my day job!” [...]

Let’s go out this weekend! :) I can now drive! Woohoo!!! Haha and I’m now ok with that hacking thing. Heck, I just laugh it off. hahahahahaha :)

My heartfelt condolences!

On the day Fischer went to heaven, you know, the new Dalmatian “ViV” came into my life. Be rest assured that I will be taking your advice seriously. Especially re: Parvo.

At mamahalin ko si Viv, tulad ng pagmamahal ninyo ni Ia kay Fischer.

And see you soon! =)

geo, good for you. so you’re not using YM anymore? basta, dapat may krispy kreme, hahaha.

thanks a lot, guia. believe me, i’m glad that i was able to impart some dalmatian care tips…but they aren’t enough! lasing kasi tayo nun e, kaya sandali lang ang usapan hehe.

the circle of life. ViV is a great name; he (she?) is lucky to have you as his/her owner. vaccine ha! :)

see you this weekend!

[...] A few weeks ago, a dog by the name of Randolph Manhattan sent me an email offering condolences for Fischer’s loss and sharing the new book from Random House, A Dog About Town. [...]

[...] P.S. At may dumagdag kaagad na isang aklat. A Dog About Town, na siyang ipinadala sa akin ng manunulat na si J.F. Englert mula pa sa Da Big Apol. Napunta yata siya sa aking Ingles na blog sa tulong ng Google at ng aking post tungkol sa namayapa kong Dalmatian. [...]

[...] P.S. Ilang araw na ang makalipas, nagkakape ako nang maalala ko na mahilig ang pumanaw naming aso sa tinapay na isinawsaw sa kape. Maya-maya pa ay naghulog ako ng isang piraso ng de-kapeng tasty bread sa aming garden box. Doon namin inilibing si Fischer. [...]

hehe… this is pretty late but i’m sorry about Fischer. We had a dalmatian as well who passed away 2 years ago. The fun loving character of the dalmatian is definitely something that will be missed. however, all dogs go to heaven so i guess they are both having a much greater time now. :)

Anyway, happy new year, Kimps!

happy new year to you, too, mike! i’m glad that you also believe in doggie heaven, hehe. not too many people do.

thanks for the well-wishes!

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