The day Patsy died

Patsy went missing after lunch on 3rd August 2009. Yesterday morning, I was told she was found dead in a drain in the neighbourhood and the authority came, put her in a black garbage bag and took her away. I went round the neighbourhood (all dressed up as there was a funeral mass to attend in the afternoon) checking through every black garbage bag hoping to find my dead dog until I came to a house and the owner came out and wondered what I was looking for in his trash. He told me the dog has been taken away…

I called up AVA, incineration plants and by the time I contacted NEA, I was already in tears. Thanks God they managed to locate Patsy and even arranged to deliver her back even though I offered to go and pick her up. I went from tearing to weeping to crying and it must have shock the seminarians to see my expression of grief. Many asked why I did not cry when the two priests died but was absolutely distraught over a dog. Perhaps I took the opportunity to cry my heart out after months of emotional scuffle. Someone offered to give me his German Shepherd, his name is King. I like German Shepherd (man and dog alike, I like only intelligent ones) but no other dogs can replace Patsy, my Queen.

Patsy is not just a dog, she is my companion. She stayed with me in my office all day, walked with me to lunch; hide under my table when it rained. In her younger days, she ran after my car when I come and go. She never barks, never get angry, always loving always there for me.

I came back in the evening to see her before burial. No one dare open the bag, blood was oozing out. I tore it open but there were many layers and I have no strength to lift it up. I told the guys to do it as I wanted to see her for a last time. I could see how frightened they were… of a dead dog, blood, whatever! We said a prayer and buried her. I stayed behind to tidy her grave… the Archbishop came to the garden and asked if I am grieving over the dog… yes I am grieving not just over Patsy but many, many other issues as well.

This morning, no one dare to come into the office. They knew I am in a foul mood. When Patsy went missing, I told the staff and seminarians to go to the four corners of the earth to find her… every room, drains, neighbourhood even the jungle out there… must find her as she was very old and sickly of late but they did not . Yes, it hurts to see her suffering but it’s certainly unimaginable that she died in a dreadful way… alone in a drain or worst still end up in the incineration plant like a piece of trash!