My best friend Fatso

IN LOVING MEMORY "FATSO" (1994 - 2007)

Fatso was my adorable & beloved dog, my faithful friend for 11 years. He passed away last month, on February 4, 2007 because of the stress and the congestive heart failure during the flood in Jakarta. He struggled with the heart murmur condition for the last 2 years but he never would let it slow him down. It still hurts not having him with me now, but I cherish the wonderful memories of our years together. He has meant more to me then almost any human I know. Here is the tribute for Fatso that I wrote on March 4, 2007.

Quick bio : mutt (I think he looked like a Pekingese but his built resembles to a Tibetan Spaniel).

Likes : walks, plays and eats!

Pet peeves : thunderstorms, rains, fireworks, loud explosive sounds, a visit to the Vet.

Favorite food : “Purina” begging strips original flavor, or anything that get slipped to him when the human in his life eat!

Favorite walk : anywhere and I didn’t have to worry about the leash!

Best habit : not peeing in the house.

Best tricks : Fatso specialty was throwing himself on the floor and rolling over when he seeked some attentions or refuse to go home from his walks, this could happen anytime and anywhere. He also liked to fetch the small rock that you found on the street and threw it as far as possible for him to catch. If we played them at home…I normally tapped the rock on the floor and the sound got him excited and he would try to grab the rock from your hand. He often chased me around the house trying to get the rock.

The Story :

Today it has been one month since I last held my sweet boy, Fatso. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. I am still reminded of that day on top of the running big truck trying to get him out of the flood area to a friend’s house. I thought that he would pull through knowing that he was a fighter. The sight of him lifeless made me feel guilty for not evacuating earlier. I watched him draw his final slow breath with my tears wetting on his fur. I would never have believed the pain could be so bad for me, but in the end he did not suffer for long. February 4, 2007 truly was the saddest day of my life. I cannot even bring myself to wash the blankie he peed in my bedroom when I tried to catch some sleep (Fatso always peed outside all of his life), in the early hours. When I finally washed it down two days ago, I told Fatso that he could visit me in my dream if he wants his blankie back. Sometimes I find myself looking for him, hoping that he was just hidden away or slept in his favorite spot, somewhere in the house.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw him. It was one Sunday afternoon in May or June 1996 when he came out of nowhere in between the gate, his small head popped in as if to welcome me as I was new at the neighborhood that time. I thought he was a stray and named him Choky (for chocolate) even though I later found out that he belong to a neighbor a few block away from my place. When he didn’t come back for several days, I was so worry and looked for him all over the neighborhood. I found him in a house a few blocks away from my place. Fatso was so excited to see me but he was on leashed on a pole inside the terrace. His movement was only as long as the leash. I then decided to talk to the the lady who owned the house about Fatso. Her teenager son was there and told me that Fatso was belong to him. The young man was upset when I told him I would like to adopt Fatso if they let me. I learned he just liked to have a dog but not to take care of them, and they also had another 2 poodles besides Fatso. After a long discussion they finally agreed to give Fatso to me on one condition!!! I could not change his given name “Fatso” and that the little brat was 2 years old by that time. So that’s where I got his name, Fatso. He was a thinso rather than a fatso when I first met him, I think. Fatso was so grateful to be released from his leash and followed me home. I am so glad that his previous owner gave him away to me (they don't know what they missed). Since then we were inseparable..

Fatso truly was my best friend. Being that I am not from Jakarta and don’t have any family here it should come as no surprise that I spent a tremendous amount of time with him. He was there during the good times and the bad. He never judged me or hurt me and all he ever wanted from me was love. He was just such a loveable dog. He was a pleasure to be around and many people loved him. One thing he was especially good at was making friend. He was adored by kids, adults and had many four legged friends in the neighborhood. He has had a heart murmur disease for the last 2 years but otherwise was in good shape. He walked 2 or 3 times a day, he still liked to chase cats around, he was very energetic. There are no words to express how much I love him. And how much I hate that at the end of his life it seemed like everything went wrong for him.

I guess I haven’t quite figured out how to say good-bye to him because I don’t want to say it. I miss him everyday more than others until one day, my 10 years old niece, Lindsey sent me a text message. She wrote :
“Auntie, please don’t be sad, I know Fatso doesn’t really want to leave you and the world too. Don’t worry … you will see him one day, and that day will be soon. ps : I saw a rainbow during sunset today, I think Fatso was running up and down having a great time with all his new friends. Goodnight, Lindsey and Mom.”

Thank you Fatso for being my best companion and sharing your life with me for 11 wonderful years. Thank you so much for all the love, protection, loyalty, friendship, and the laughs you gave me to treasure. Thank you for making my life better. I miss rubbing your belly, taking long walks together, playing rough house, I miss you sneaking in my bedroom when I was asleep, but most of all I miss you in my life. I know that you are out of pain now and back being to your young spectacular self, running, playing and chasing all the cats or birds you meet up there. Never forget that I love you with all my heart and more. Always remember the good times we had together. I hope I will see you again someday. In the meantime ... keep your tail wagging!