Our 1st Christmas together
(K'Lyn had only been with us for a few months then)
A happy & contented K'Lyn today
Prologue -
Lassie, Shadow, Buddy... these were names that often conjured up a canine friend whose loyalty and love was unmatched by anything or anyone in the world.
Ever since I was a little girl obsessed with reading, one of my favourite characters by Enid Blyton was Timmy, George's dog in 'Famous Five Advantures'. I envied George for having a best friend like Timmy, one who was always by her side no matter what happened, who loved her beyond reason, and would do anything to protect her; and George was there for Timmy the exact same way. It was more than a relationship, it was a bond that no one could understand except Timmy and George.
That was probably the start of my fascination for animals, for a 4-legged best friend that will love me unconditionally and I could pour my heart and soul. It was probably also the foundation of my decision not to have human kids, grin.
The moment VJ & I got married and got our own home, my very 1st mission was to fill our new home with puppy love; in fact I renovated our flat with the soul intention of having doggy kids, so I dog-proofed the place to the best of my abilities. Unfortunately back then I did not realise that I would end up loving Endlish Bull Terriers, one of the breeds that could possibly wreak the biggest havoc in a home.
The Search -
One our home was ready, I set off to find the dog of my dreams, with Timmy and Lassie in mind; yup, I realised that those were giant paws to fill for any mortal dog, but it was what I had set my mind for. This is the only time I am ever ambitious, when it comes to my animals :)
I had initially thought of a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever, as I've had some great experiences with dogs like Kiaser (my best friend Desiree's Lab), but VJ felt that it was too big a breed. I really didn't know what dog breed I would like after that.
I got addicted to Bull Terriers after chancing upon a 'Breed All About It' documentary on them, it really showcased the amazing character of the bull terrier, especially about their loyalty, clownish-ness and loving ways. After 20 minutes of TV, I was totally hooked.
I did not know then that bull terriers were a rare breed in S'pore, with an underserving vicious and nasty reputation. I had already conjured up a dream bull terrier in my mind and heart; she was to be a standard bull terrier, white with a patch of black somewhere on her face, and not a young puppy, more like a young teenager that needed a home cos no one wanted her. I wanted to be her chance in life. Till today, I really don't know where that description came from, for knowing what I know about bull terriers 6 years later, it sounded like a sure fire recipe for a 'difficult & challenging' bull terrier.
I was not having any luck even seeing first hand what a bull terrier was like in spite of endless research and phone calls to pet shops. Just when I thought that my only chance to get a bull terrier was to import at a very high price from Australia (& after the new flat and renovation,this was almost an impossibility), VJ & I bumped into a neighbour with a black and white mini bull terrier at the foot of our new flat! He gave us the contact for Chris, the bull terrier breeder in S'pore.
Destiny -
I called 'Timbarktu' the very next morning, and told the lady (Chris's wife Florence) that answered the phone that I was looking for a female standard white bull terrier that had a black patch on the face, I wasn't looking for a young puppy, but for an almost adult. I was soooo excited when she said they may have such a bull terrier and for me to come down to have a look myself. I found out later from Chris & Florence (we are good friends now) that I had described K'Lyn to a T. :)
I slammed down the phone, and rushed out of the door. Vj was at work and he was kinda worried that I would make a rash decision but I was unstoppable! I went to find my dream dog just following my heart.
The birth of the name -
Oh did I mention that I had already thought of a name for my dream dog even before I had even seen it? Gavin and I came up with the name K'Lyn during a brainstorm session during lunch time in JBP. I wanted a name that starts with 'K' and Gavin said I should name it after me cos it was to be my best friend. So even before anything, I already had in mind exactly how K'Lyn would be like. Talk about a tall order yah? :)
Love? @ 1st sight -
Hmmmm, maybe not so... My first impression of K'Lyn was so not favourable, cos she was standing in a cage and she growled so ferociously at me. Chris was really nice from the start, he even told me to just reach in and take her our, that she was bluffing, but nope, thank you very much sir, I was not sticking my hands into a cage of an angry bull terrier. Suddenly it seemed like everything bad I had read about this breed rang true. I was so not ready to give up and felt that this was the gal for me in spite of appearnces. Chris gave me all the time I needed to just sit down and spend time with her. I think I must have sat with her for hours, slowly giving her time to trust me and allow me to pet her gingerly. We even went for a little walk although her tail was tucked in between her legs the entire time. Chris told me that love and patience will bring out her true character (& tail!), and that I could bring her home for a trial and come back and pay later if I decide that I really wanted to keep her.
I did get the feeling that she already had a reputation as a problem dog, but I told Chris that once I bring her home, I will never give her up. He said to just try her out her, and even refused to let me buy the basic necessities for her, he gave me everything from food to bowls to collar and leash. I had to 'fight' with him and Florence to buy her some toys...
Bringing K'Lyn home was a problem as she was so scared and really didn't want to walk to the car to get into it. Everything was just so scary to her, the new environment, the life, a new home, new smells and sounds. She flipped whe VJ came home, think she almost hated him on sight although we never know why. She refused to let him near her, and just kept growling and staring at him.
Needless to say, VJ was so not impressed. I can't say I blame him now, but at that point I was already falling head over heels in love with our (or more like my) problem child, and was ultra protective of her. This protectiveness only grew over the years. He kept saying that dogs are not meant to behave such and that she didn't look much like a bull terrier.
I didn't care. I just didn't care. She could be missing a ear or missing some senses (maybe not too sane?) but she was MINE to love forever. I refused to hear anything negative about her, and keep telling her that this is her forever home, that WE love her the way she was and that she could take her time to love us back.
That 1st night, K'Lyn was so scared and upset she couldn't sleep but kept pacing up and down. She finally slept beside me when I put my comforter on the bedroom floor. She looked contented for the 1st time since I saw her. My heart swelled with love, and I was contented too.
Maybe it was because I slept on the floor with her, cos after that our relationship began. She was still wary, but trusted me on a higher level she may not even understand then. Or maybe she was looking for someone like me the way I was looking for someone like her.
My Soulmate -
So many things have happened since that day 6 years ago. K'lyn is sleeping snuggled up to VJ as I write this. It only took her 2 years to be in the same area as VJ, and longer still to be on the sofa with him. We are still amazed that a dog would take soooo long to trust a person who only did his utmost to get to know her. She was really one tough nut to crack as VJ says. We found out from YeeWei, who had tried to home her once, that K'Lyn then just would not trust anyone, and would growl and bite. However once she gave her love, it was forever.
But like my favourite storybook dog Timmy, K'Lyn will always love me 1st, and the most, and no one could ever come between us. I like to say that she would die for me and kill for me, but without a doubt, I would do exactly the same for my soulmate.
As I end off, K'Lyn is once again lying right beside me, telling me that it's time I rest. It is time for me to do my all time favourite thing in the world, groom my kids and give them TREATS!
No comments:
Post a Comment