24 Sep 2020
I first met Andy, the cream coloured paraplegic canine at Street Dog Care in the Boudha neighborhood on a full moon day in Dec 2016.
I remember how he let out nary a whimper as Junu applied medicines on his leg sores that had been rubbed raw by the abrasive contact between his skin and the metallic part of his wheels. 
His wounds reminded me of the ones I got on the back of my leg from scrapping the metallic caliper that I wore in my childhood.
Much to my delight, we saw Andy again in 2017 and 2018 when we visited Nepal.
Back in Singapore, I would look out for my hero in wheels whenever the centre uploaded videos of their in-house residents.
When we visited their newly located centre in 2018, I remembered Andy making a bee line for hugs. He was very determined to monopolise all the cuddles. El assured me that nobody would dare bully my dear Andy because he was fully capable of defending himself on two legs.
Last night I received news of Andy’s passing. I knew that day might come sooner for him than for his healthier companions, but still.
While searching for a favourite photo of me and Andy to light a butter lamp, I chanced upon another photo that had been missing for so long that I thought I would never find it. It was a photo of a student and I in my younger days on a happy occasion.
Even in his passing, the little dog had helped me locate a long lost picture to remind me to keep smiling. ♥️🙏
May all the affection & care that precious Andy boy received from Street Dog Care in this lifetime facilitate his passage onto an auspicious realm. 🌈🐾
Lisa Ong 