Lawrence of Clay aka Tyson

Our first meeting

It was summer of 2005 when I first saw Tyson. He was then 6 months old.

He came from a long trip from Metro Manila to Ilocos Sur. He was in a mini cage placed at the back of the car when he arrived at our house in Ilocos. His cage was full of vomit and so was his body. He was stinky back then. But when he got freed from his cage and was welcomed inside our house, his tiny tail started to wiggle and he ran loose like a playful deer in a lion-less jungle.

He started biting and licking everything he sees and went to each and everyone then present as if expressing gratitude for adopting him. He went to Kuya Marty and Kuya Chinkoy who were delighted by his lively spirit. He went to Bolet and Ogie who were playful with him. He went to Popop who gave him hugs and kisses. I knew then that they will be best of friends. And when it was time for Tyson to approach me, I was discreetly kicking him away since I don’t like dogs back then. I just hate their hair, their smell, their paws, their licking, and basically everything about them. I was certain that Tyson was not impressed about me the first time we met.

Thereafter, I saw Popop take good care of Tyson – walking him outside, playing with him, giving him hugs and kisses as always, and even sleeping beside him. It sure was a summer to remember for both of them.

The turning point

As the summer ended, Kuya Marty, Kuya Chinkoy and myself needed to go to Manila for our college studies. The family decided for us to bring Tyson to Manila.

In a twist of events, I started to like Tyson. Since Popop, our youngest, was left in Ilocos, I was the one who took care of Tyson in Manila. Tyson started liking me as well. He follows me wherever I go, he looks forward to our daily outside walk, he gets excited when I feed him, he sits beside me whenever I sit, and sleeps beside me whenever I sleep. I was then certain that our relationship then forged would last a lifetime.

When school season came, I felt that all I wanted was to be with Tyson more, playing with him and walking him outside. Good thing I was studying at UP where I can choose my own subjects and schedule. I made sure that the classes I enrolled would start at 7 in the morning and end on or before 12 noon. In that way, I could spend the rest of the day with Tyson. I was able to do that and myself and Tyson were the happiest duo that time. Well, we were the happiest duo all this time.

I get to spend almost all my time in a day with Tyson that semester and my brothers would even joke that I don’t need a girlfriend anymore since Tyson could be that one for me. And I would jokingly reply that I really don’t need one, Tyson would always be my girlfriend, companionship-wise that is.

Tyson’s big appetite

Tyson always had a big appetite. He would eat any food in seconds. Unfortunately, he got allergic with dog food which made his hair fall at a very young age. During that time, whenever I walk him around, people who see him would pity him saying that he is already old. My heart shatters everytime I hear people say that. Hence, I decided to give Tyson meat for his food. That’s the time his coat got better and his energy bar got bigger.

Tyson the tireless runner

Tyson would tirelessly run the length of the place everytime we are outdoors, galloping like a wild zebra. Also, whenever a family member arrives home and meets Tyson again after a long while, Tyson would also run the length of the house, passing thru under the sofa and tables, barking like a crazy dog, just to show how excited he is seeing a family once again. It was pure bliss everytime he does that. It was our natural stress reliever. I bet my whole earthly savings he will do that again in Heaven once we see each other there.

Tyson the curious

Tyson was not just about cuteness. He was our guard dog. One time during the middle of the night, when we were sound asleep, he was hysterically barking facing outside our house. We scolded him and told him to keep quiet. The following day, we found out that the side mirrors of our van were stolen. Since then, we were very alert everytime that happens. I admit it is annoying if he does that, but I terribly miss it now. How I wish I would hear that again even in my dreams.

Tyson the head-turner

And in case you didn’t know yet, Tyson is a head-turner. He puts a lot of people to shame everytime he walks outside. Not just because he is a very good-looking Miniature Pinscher but because he has a big genital. Yes, no joke. It’s normal to hear people saying “Ay ang cute” or “Uy, ang laki ng ano nya.” But I was shocked when I heard someone said “Masarap siguro kainin yan.” Man, that’s below the belt.

Tyson and Dobby

In 2010, the family’s second dog arrived. His name is Dobby, a maltese. Tyson didn’t like the idea. He wanted to remain as the family’s favorite dog. They fight everytime they see each other. And they don’t just fight, they wanted a piece of each other. Their casual fights were so vicious that Tyson accidentally bit my hand while I was pacifying them. But believe it or not, in Tyson’s 14 years of existence, I was his first and last biting victim. Tyson was indeed very furious at Dobby but was an angel to everyone else. Try to ask the people who regularly groom him and they would confirm that Tyson is one of the gentlest dogs they have ever groomed.

Tyson, the territory-marker

As much as Tyson is our forever companion and that we always transfer residence, he has also experienced urinating and dirtying so many different streets in the Metro. Tyson started living with us at K-9 St., Kamias, Quezon City where I made sure that he goes out for a walk at least twice a day. We then transferred momentarily to K10 St., followed by Marang St., Anonas, QC, then returned to Kamias along K-8 St., then transferred again to Cannon Road, New Manila, QC, followed by a brief stint at K-J St., along Anonas, and lastly here at Malate, Manila. They say once a dog urinates at a place, it has become his own territory. Now I could say that Tyson owns almost the whole of QC and part of Manila. You’ve marked your territory well, buddy.

Tyson, our baby boy

Kat and I have been together for 11 years now and married for almost 3 years. But our attempt to conceive is hampered for some medical reasons. While hoping for a successful conception, Tyson has become our baby in the meantime. We let him sleep beside us, we pepper him with kisses, we bring him to places we go, we even sing lullabies to him. He might be a dog but we treated him as our baby boy, and he will forever be our baby boy. We love you so much, Tyson.

Tyson and Chief

Just early this year, even without plans to adopt another dog, we were forced to get one since the delicate puppy might die if not sheltered. We called him Chief, short for Chief Justice. It was the third dog member in the family, but Tyson was confused right from Day 1. Perhaps Tyson was trying to tell us why did we get another baby dog when he is already our baby dog. Surprisingly, Tyson never harboured hard feelings against Chief. In fact, Tyson was very gentle on Chief, except when it comes to food though. Kat and I were even joking that Tyson might be the one teaching Chief good manners and right conduct everytime we leave them at home when we go to work. And Tyson might be trying to tell us that he is confident to leave us already because he knows we will be loving another dog, someone whom he trained how to love us, the same way he loved us during his 14 fruitful and colourful years of existence. For that, thank you so much, Tyson.

The signs

Just last month, during Kat’s birthday, we made sure to celebrate it with Tyson and Chief. We just felt the urge to bring them somewhere and enjoy. We went to Tagaytay for a 2-night vacation. Tyson and Chief sure had fun. Little did we know that it would be Tyson’s last out of town ride.

After that we again felt the urge to bring Tyson and Chief to UP Amphitheatre which is Tyson’s favourite playground when we were still living in QC. Tyson and Chief played on the grass. While Chief was running his lungs out as it was his first time there, Tyson was slowly smelling the grass and marking his one final territory. Little did we know that that would be Tyson’s last visit at his favourite ground.

And during his 14^th birthday celebration, he had his one final taste of his favorite Jollibee Chickenjoy, and a sumptuous lunch out with the complete family. He had his signature cake and he even blew his own candles. Little did we know that that would be his last birthday and the last time the family would see him. Good thing Iggy Boy was giving him tight hugs and sticky kisses all throughout the celebration. Tyson felt the love he deserved during his last celebration and I thank everyone from the bottom of our heart.

His final hours

Last night at 8 in the evening, he had Mang Inasal Chicken for dinner. He was in character that time as he ate his food in seconds and was mad at anyone who goes near him while eating. Everything was normal until around 10 in the evening. Kat and I observed that Tyson had an unusual fast heavy breathing. We thought he just had phlegm stuck inside him and so we told him to cough it out, lie down and relax. However, he was so uneasy and he keeps on transferring from one place to another. Everytime we carry him and place him on the bed to sleep with us, he would do his best to calm down so that he could sleep right beside us but he can’t do it. He would get up and transfer from one place to another again. Because of tiredness, I was able to sleep thinking that Tyson will sleep off his uneasiness.

I woke up at around 1:30 early in the morning and noticed that Kat had not slept yet. I asked about Tyson right away and I saw him sleep-deprived, walking gingerly, and can’t compose his balance. That’s the time we got alarmed. Kat called up a 24-hour pet hospital and found one near our place. Kat told me to change clothes while she carries Tyson. When it was Kat’s turn to change, I carried Tyson and noticed that his weight got lighter. I can feel that he had no control of his body anymore. I started crying hard. Tyson began salivating and defecating. It’s like he’s telling me that “I am okay to go now daddy, thanks for carrying me.” We rushed to the pet hospital, while I drive and Kat comforts Tyson who was breathing deeply and very slowly this time. When we reached the hospital, the doctor tried to resuscitate him but it was too late. We were crying our lungs out, praying for a miracle while watching our baby boy hang on for his dear life but he was moments later declared dead. It was past 2:30 in the morning. We cried and cried as if we were harmonizing with the heavy downpour of Typhoon Ompong. The tears won’t just go. We just lost our baby boy.

We saw them wrap Tyson up and placed inside a box. That’s our love of our life wrapped up just like that. Then we realized we had no time to mourn and mourn since we need to plan for his funeral, but we had to deal with the super typhoon and establishments might be close for the day. This won’t beat the period for Tyson’s body to decompose. So we prayed harder for a better weather. He listened to our prayers and sent Pet Valley which even hails from Cavite to pick up Tyson for his cremation, amid this menacing storm. God is indeed good!

Tyson lived a long and happy life

I started informing Kuya Marty, Kuya Chinkoy, Popop, Ogie, Bolet, Papa and Mama about Tyson’s passing away. They were shocked and in tears, but one in saying that we should not be sad because Tyson lived a very long (14 years = 72 human years) and happy life. That’s true and we are sure he is now as happy in Dog Heaven, eating his favorite Jollibee Chickenjoy.

But sure your mommy Kat and I will miss your panlalambing, your bark, your stinky fart, your bad breath, your over-excitement when going out, your constipation, your handsome face, your jealousy everytime mommy and I cuddle, your funny sounds, your stretching, your sleeping to our lullaby, your sitting on my lap while driving, your accompanying me while I wash the car, your sleeping near my legs all the time, your scratching the bed and the sofa, your smell, your white hair, your incomplete teeth, your always posing for the camera, your struggles while taking a bath, your waiting for me at the door whenever I arrive home, our daily walk outside, and I could go on until tomorrow. Long story short, you will miss us but we will miss you more. But rest assured, you will forever be in our heart. And we will meet again in heaven and re-do all the great things we did here on earth, but it would be for eternity already when that time comes.

Your family, especially your baby brother Chief, your mommy Kat and me your daddy thank you so much for the 14 years of pure bliss. We love you so much, Tyson! Please guide us always, baby.

Lawrence of Clay aka Tyson

September 4, 2004 – September 15, 2018