Bippity Boppity Boo! (FINAL DAY)

I know it has been weeks after Bip's fifth and final day at our house, and I'm sorry for not posting about it sooner, but because I never fully wanted to disclose it till I was ready (that is, until I can write about it and remember it w/o crying or being sad), I decided not to write about it until now.


Sadly, due to certain circumstances, our family cannot adopt Bip permanently.

So, on October 14 2011, Bip and I spent our last day together.

Bip, Tootsie, and I spent the entire day together playing and having fun (well, THEY would play. The human just stands by and laughs and sometimes plays along). I really couldn't do much to separate those two once they've started the playing. I had to supervise at all times though because, as stated in my previous entry, Bip has surprisingly sharp teeth and can puncture Tootsie's big eyes. Fortunately, it didn't happen.

Come night time, Bip and I decided to sleep in my room; just the two of us. I wanted to monopolize Bip's presence and sweetness for as much as I can with the little time I had left. After all, she was going to go back to her foster parent and there is a good chance I may never see her again (except on photo updates). It actually made me cry because Bip has left such a dent on my life for the past 4 days that she stayed with us. I can't explain what exactly it is -- maybe it's her loud personality or her inspiring zest of energy and sense of normality despite her physical lackings. Whatever it is, I can't really put my finger on it. But the thought of not having to see Bip curl her ears in happiness or her wet-nosed kisses or her voracious appetite or her high-pitched bark -- it was enough to break my heart ten times over.

Some of you may be wondering why I've invested such emotional attachment to a dog I have been with for only four days, and some of you may be thinking I am overreacting over a "mere" dog. Even if I tell you, you will never understand until you've felt it for yourself.

Bip has such an energy and sweetness about her that it's impossible not to open your heart to her and let her in forever, if not your home; she has this way of creeping inside your heart and staying there permanently -- this small creature who has suffered from different ailments such as ehrlichia (a tick-based disease) which affected her RBC, which made her anemic and in turn affected her appetite. From what I have known, she has had owner before. If she was neglected this much physically, I think she has been neglected emotionally as well. That may be one of the causes of her being territorial of certain people and her insecurity towards other dogs (masked entirely in loud barks) and being left alone.  And despite her obvious physical difference from other 'normal' dogs, as far as she's concerned, she's normal -- she can fend for herself, defend herself from other dogs (even bigger ones). But once you leave her, she weeps and whimpers like a lost child, proof of how she needs close emotional ties with her human. She's just like a normal human child. Truly, you would give your heart to her almost in a trance. At first she annoys the heck out of you, but before you know it your heart is completely won over by this little one.

The morning of the day to return Bip. Curling her ears because I am FINALLY awake and so we can play . lol

The morning of the day I was going to return Bip, she greeted me with her earls curled when she sensed I was stirring and opened my eyes and cooed at her; it was one of the very few mornings I had this conflicting emotion of happiness and so much sadness.

As we got in the car, she was quiet albeit affectionate. She ate only 1/3 of her food, which was unusual for her. I'd like to think she 'sensed' what was about to happen. When the building of her original foster parent was on sight, she curled her ears and whimpered! I was sad -- too sad -- but I was delighted she knew and never forgot her home and the kind human who took her in and did all she could to restore her back to health and genuinely loved her as I have. The moment I handed Bip over to her, the curled ears appeared and gave her foster parent so many kisses. I was a tiny bit jealous, but I was happy. At least I know Bip is in good hands.

With a heavy heart, I went out of the building's lobby and into the car. I was thankful I had my sunglasses with me. I couldn't have hidden my eyes brimming with tears from the driver. The last scene I saw was Bip happily together with her original foster parent again.

You might think me bad, but for the first two days, when I would give Tootsie kisses, I'd impulsively think of Bip. When I scold Tootsie, 'Bip' is the name that came out of my mouth. Truly, I felt like a cheating lover in a way. Hours, days, weeks passed. My loneliness over Bip's departure slowly drained out of my system, but from time to time, I would find myself wondering about Bip.

Here is a video of all the videos I managed to take of Bip during her brief but important stay with me. This won't explain what I felt towards her (not even this lengthy blog post), but I hope it can convey the happiness I managed to achieve through and with Bip. She will always, always have a place in my heart. Always.

I hope you find the loving, permanent home you deserve, Bip. I wish you nothing but the best in your journey. I love you..

Bip and Tootsie's Playtime

Here is a video of their play-fight. So sorry for the poor quality, I grabbed what I could to capture this glorious moment and it just so happens that the one I grabbed was my phone. lol

Well, here they are. Bip and Tootsie playing and Tootsie's semi-Pinball Mode. :]

Bippity Boppity Boo! (Day Four)

Day Four's start was not so good.

Sorry for the blurred pictue ^_^;

Bip peed twice inside the room, and pooped once. And bit my dad on his foot as he was walking inside the room which incurred a bit of wrath from him since he was still tired form his travel and was not feeling too well. We were sent out of his room with airconditioner and tv.

The day did get better, though. Bip and Tootsie played with each other at last!

We were in the living room, banished from his highness's throne room, when it happened. Maybe because Bip has been in the room for most of the time and she hasn't explored that part of the house yet so she wasn't very territorial with it. Tootsie found her voice at last and was suddenly barking at Bip out of nowhere. It was Bip's turn to cower and she was looking at me for protection. You should have seen the look she gave me, she really wanted me to carry her. It took all my will power not to carry her in my arms and murmur words of endearment to her. But I didn't surrender to those eyes, and probably for the first time she found herself utterly powerless in Tootsie's big, loud barks. It ceased after a while with Tootsie actually whimpering afterwards. Probably she was just looking for a playmate? Then afterwards it was Bip's turn to bark. After a couple of minutes it stopped, and after a few minutes also of silence, Tootsie barked again. Needless to say I was a bit confused at this point. In the end, I ignored them both with a befuddled sigh and went back to my reading, hoping that they were just 'talking' to each other. Seemed like a good idea to leave them to their own devices because, before I knew it, they were eagerly chasing each other around the house. It was a sight to see, really.

*gasp* is this the start of something new?

After that, things went back to Tootsie avoiding Bip, but that little playtime of theirs gave me hope. So, my fingers are still cramped from finger-crossing.

Around 3.30 pm Tootsie deemed it wise to come close to Bip and sniff the heck out of her while she was eating. Not a very good idea. She ended up fending Tootsie off and guarding her beloved food. But, thankful, Tootsie went into her *Pinball mode that earned them another playtime. Wiiiii! But alas, I had to end it lest Tootsie come close to becoming blind again. Bip was nipping at Tootsie playfully, but she was doing it in her chest and in her cheeks -- dangerously close to Tootsie's right eye. And as I've noticed Bip's exceptionally sharp teeth, I decided it wasn't worth the danger (because Tootsie really will go blind if the same spot becomes target of a sharp object again). Sadly, I had to stop their little rough play. But it was amusing to see that Tootsie didn't use her forelegs at all during their play-fight. Usually, when we play, Tootsie uses her 'hands' to grab hold of the toy or our hands (depending on what we're using). It was actually Bip who was using her 'chicken wing' when she gets frustrated and can't reach Tootsie. I was secretly proud of my little Tootsie for that. I can see she's going to be a good mother someday (if that play-fight was any indication).

I will update this blog later on in the evening, as Day Four comes to a close. I just wanted to share this little bud of hope. Hoorah!

*Pinball mode - when Tootsie becomes so energized she runs around in circles in the house in lightning speed for several rounds