I
am Oxygen's Daddy. Oxygen is my pet dog, which
I adopted
from the SPCA or rather from the RSPCA, as it was then known. 
However,
the decision to keep a pet dog was not an easy one for me. The first
thing was clarifying our motives for wanting to keep a dog, or rather
my motives as Oxygen's future Mummy was dead against the
whole idea. Before she married Oxygen's Daddy, she had gone
through several dogs in her own family and knew in practical terms what
a big responsibility pet ownership entailed.
On
the other hand, my understanding of
responsibility for pets was
mainly theoretical, as I had never really kept a pet before. So, while
I thought in terms of play, companionship and a security alarm, my wife
gave me the cold facts. In fact, she smothered my enthusiasm with a
pretty wet towel! She lectured me that dogs are not all sugar and
spice. They need care, and they need caring.
In her
inimitable long-winded way, she waxed
hysterical -
they need time, exercise, medical care, regular meals, annual dog
licences, routine visits to the vet, they have to be kenneled during
holidays, they need regular baths, they mean more
expenses;the list was a mile long. I swore that I would do
all that but of course she knew me better than to trust my promises!
The crux of her argument was that I lacked the discipline and staying
power to maintain any sort of long-term relationship! My enthusiasm
would just fizzle out she said.
Anyway, to cut a
long story short -
though man disposes, what
God proposes will prevail. My wife, soon to be Oxygen's Mummy
agreed! The way I look at it, Oxygen was fated for us and nothing is
willed by the gods without a way already prepared for it. In
retrospect, I think our squabbles were actually a blessing in disguise
as we were able to talk through the issues with regards to keeping a
pet.
The next thing we had to decide was the breed,
the gender, the age
and from where to source the dog. Stubborn as usual, the wife was sure
she wanted a female dog which she claimed were more homely or
protective of the hearth, besides being more discreet and
environment friendly when doing their toiletries. To me she
was just trying to tilt the balance of power against me in the house.
Anyway, gender politics aside, a female dog was okay by me and the
added expense of neutering was not an issue. Lose the battle, win the
war!
Next, we both wanted a mongrel. We were sure
we
did not want a pedigree
dog as being simple folks ourselves we thought it wouldn do
to saddle ourselves with a creature way above our own station in life!
Also, our pre-conception was that mixed-breed dogs are a hardier lot.
Perhaps, they were not so prone to ailments. Then too, we thought it
wise to take in a puppy so that we wouldn’t have to reckon
with an older dog with pre-conceived ideas. Best to start with a clean
slate!
Finally, we wanted a dog from the RSPCA and
from
no where else because
their dogs needed a home. We knew that the RSPCA's dogs are
screened for their fitness for adoption, and that they come with a
signed responsibility to care or else…! I did not balk at
the challenge but welcomed it, including the spot check that RSPCA
Inspectors would make on the welfare of the pet. Little did we know
then that we were in for infinitely more than we could imagine! But
more of that later.
We made several trips to the
RSPCA over a period
of about 2-3 months.
At that time the SPCA was located in Fettes Park. Our intention was not
to return home with a pet but to see for ourselves what was on offer
and to consult with the Administrator regarding terms and procedures.
Having already resolved to keep a pet dog, we kept the actual adoption
on the back burner. In between visits, we read up on dog books,
particularly on caring for puppies, vaccinations, booster doses, toilet
training, how to settle in a dog in a new environment and how to
properly take a puppy back to its new home in the car. We must have
done a pretty good job of it as Oxygen's biggest passion in
life is car rides!
One fine day, we visited the
pound to take
another
look at a litter of pups we had seen on a previous visit. One of them
in that kennel stood out from the rest, full of spirit, clamoring for
attention and nominating herself for adoption! The feelings were
mutual. The wife seconded the nomination and the rest is family
history. It was love at last after many visits to the RSPCA.
Though
all
dogs are worthy of love, I believe that fate had a hand in our choice.
I call it karma. As it turned out, this one was meant for us. I signed
the adoption papers, paid the fee and listened to the advise from the
Administrator. With formalities over, we packed the two month old pup
in the back seat with her new Mummy keeping an eye on her adopted
daughter who behaved herself all the way home. I named her Oxygen for
her zest and spirit. It is now 13 years since that fateful day. Oxygen
has aged gracefully over the years and (touch wood) is still sprightly
at the age of 13. She is our best friend and confidante.
Oxygen
has enriched our lives with her love,
empathy and friendship. On
our part, through cultivating understanding, close interaction and
respect for her, we have forged a bond with Oxygen that we cherish as
among the most precious experiences in our lives. We had not reckoned
that our small intention of keeping a pet would be reciprocated in such
big measure. Happily, we were in for more than we had imagined.
She has given us insights, awed us with her
prescience, amused us with
her quirks, touched us with her patience and humbled us with her
intelligence. It is a relationship that cannot be adequately
communicated through words but one that has to be experienced to be
appreciated. And we know that there are so many dog lovers out there
who have their own wonderful testimonies to relate of their own beloved
four-footed friends.
In that respect, though Oxygen
is very special
to us, she is by no
means unique. Many dog owners who share a caring relationship with
their pets would tell you of the blessings that the canines have
brought into their homes and lives. As for me, Oxygen is my inspiration
for which I thank God. And I also give thanks for the SPCA, other
animal welfare organizations as well as concerned individuals around
the world who are doing their bit to care for all creatures, big and
small.
