Seawaves

As the water came chasing you,

You ran happily along the sandy beach.

-サヤカ-

The first time you had an overnight trip that wasn't grandma's home was when we went to Port Dickson. I remember that trip vividly because it was the day after Malaysia experienced her first Tsunami. 

It was in the morning of 27 December 2015, prior to that date mom had won at her hospital's lucky draw the usage of the hospital's apartment in PD for a night. It wasn't some spectecular apartment or anything, it was a little rickety place, but it was sufficient for a one night stay.

So grandma, dad, mom, me and you started to head out, only to be stopped by our then neighbour. A nice ol chap who enquired as to where we were going and got so scared when he found out that we were going to PD. He even tried to give us his newspaper to read. 

Unfortunately we were rushing for time and rejected his good intentions, and we never found out about the tsunami till after we got home from our trip. Much to our shock and amusement.

Honestly we were left wondering why our neighbour was so worried, but I digress. 

So it turned out that your first overnight trip was to PD, the seaside. The beach near the apartment that we were staying at wasn't anything spectacular, and probably because of the Tsunami, it was quite quiet, with a few families, so we took the chance to let you play around in a secluded part of the beach.

That was the first time you swam. Not those times where I tried to make you swim in the tub when you were showering or the water tub in the toilet downstairs lol (I got a sound scolding from dad when he found out lol). This was the first time you actually swam. Proving that dogs can naturally swim. 

I was of course nervous and was with you each step of the way (since I read somewhere that apparently there are exceptions and not all dogs can naturally swim lol ), and you were shivering cold after that. But I think it was a really good experience. 

Your first taste of sea water, your first time swimming, and your first beach. 

This trip also taught me that you were incredibly smart, and could recognise toilets. As you correctly went to the apartment's toilet whenever you needed to do your business. I was amazed to say the least. It was your first time in an unknown dwelling and you knew where the toilet was. Amazing.

You somehow also knew how not to bark when the doorbell rang, unlike what you usually did at home. I was worried that you would start barking when dad rang the doorbell after having gone out to get some stuff and he wanted to be let in. But somehow you knew, that you shouldn't bark there. Or was it because it wasn't our house, so you felt no need to inform us of someone at the door?

Well all those will remain a mystery. But your first overnight trip, was full of insightful firsts. 

I'm not sure if we had pictures from that time. Since I was in the water with you, I doubt there was anyone there to take the pictures for us, but if they do exist and I do find them, I will edit this and post it here. 

***

Hi Baby,

With my upcoming business trip, I was suddenly reminded of your first trip. Many a time I had lamented "if only you had a passport", imagine where we could have gone together? I would have brought you every where I went lol.

Actually, many years back, I heard that South Korea, Singapore and some other countries allow their dogs to have passports and travel within those few countries, and I always wondered, why, oh why, wasn't Malaysia part of that group too. 

But I guess for a Malaysian citizen without a passport, you at least got to travel a bit when compared with other dogs here. And I will share those memories in time. 

I think today I might be better, as I was busy packing for my business trip, although last night was bad; listening to mom, sis, your kai ma and 3rd aunt play mahjong made me cry a lot as memories of  how you would sit on my lap, or how we would insist that you were the lucky charm and that you sit by our feet came back to me. 

It could also be probaably because I didn't cry for 2 days straight, as I did my best to distract myself with anime and stuff. So I'm really left wondering if I should cry a little everyday? Or suddenly end up crying a lot.. I'm confused... Well besides that point... 

I'm not sure if I will be up to playing mahjong when I go back to Malaysia for Chinese New Year next year...

I guess I might, I might even cry whilst I play, but if I do play, will you be my good luck charm again?

-sunz-