I've been having fancies over different breeds of dogs and day dream that I have them in our yard - playing, cuddling, and sometimes walking to the park. And though I could barely name a few and identify their breed, I proudly brand myself as a dog lover.

Poverty or reality, our family could not afford the pure breeds so we end up having what we call here in the Philippines as "askal" also known as "aspin" or "asong pinoy". They're still cute and adorable, but not as HUGE and as "handsome" compared to the pure breeds. So on with my little dream, I ask around hoping anyone would have the heart to give me one..and to my joy, I received a black labrador pup.

It was all cute and fun the first few days. Everyone loved her at home. She was big for her age. She was lovable. We thought that taking care her of her would just mean a simple meal (rice and stuff), bath, and daily exercise. It was all so easy. Only that since we were trying to escape from fees, we decided not to give her any vaccines.

Until one day, she got sick...and all the responsibilities of owning one started to sink in. From the expenses on her food, the vaccines, and then the hospitalization. It came to me that it would have been a lot cheaper if we decided to give her a vaccine and have a vet monitor her than to escape the fees and take care of her by ourselves. She acquired parvo virus and in the end, we lost her.

I felt bad that she died. But all the more, it felt worse that she died because I didn't know how to take care of her.

It's learning a lesson the hard way...

So just a caution to all those who would like to own one, make sure that you know what you are getting into. I don't know if it's the same case for anywhere else on the globe... but I'm sure that having a pet is more than just having someone to play with when you're lonely, or to guard the house when you're out. It's a combination of  getting to know... of loving... of giving full attention... of responsibility.

As of now, I am looking for someone who would entrust to me their pet again. But unlike before, I have decided to  partner with a local vet to look after them. This time, I'd do better.