17 Jan 1053

Exactly a week ago today, we brought Domin to Pasir Ris to be cremated. I will always remember that day – Saturday, 10 January 2009. We had opted for solo cremation as we know she does not enjoy the company of other dogs. She always preferred humans to dogs.

She had passed away a day earlier. But we wanted to let her rest one final night in her beloved bed. Her previous 2 nights were spent in the hospital and we knew she probably did not sleep much and must have missed her bed and bolster sorely. So she spent Friday night in her bed hugging her bolster – her bed in her Mummy’s room in the usual spot as it always has been. The only difference was the air-con blowing at her cold body. Her eyes were closed and we wanted so much to think that she was just tired out from all the blood testing, medications and injections she’s had at the hospital and was having a well-deserved rest.

That Saturday morning, we drove her to Pasir Ris. Her Mummy carried her in her bed, with a towel covering her. We saw her go into the furnace, resting peacefully on her mattress and hugging her bolster. Then the furnace door closed. It must be one of the most painful goodbyes ever. It hurts so much to even think about it now.

About 3 hours later, we went back to collect her. She went home with us in an oriental-looking blue-and-white urn. On the urn is a picture of her with a bouquet of red roses, not quite as pretty as she is though.

Domin's jie-jie