Art by Pepin Josef N. Turla

We could go on to different chapters in our lives, but for that little one you are their whole book.

You saw this little furry friend, so small in size that you were afraid that you’d crush him with your own hands. But it looked up to you with eyes that were pleading you to choose him, you smiled and gently picked him up with its tail happily wagging. He was your little buddy now.

Going home after a long day of work or school while feeling drained, you arrive at home with your furry friend sitting right in front you. With their calm stoic face suddenly turning bright in the sight of you, they quickly come to greet you while jumping up and down at you. Suddenly, you felt less tired every time you came home, a heartwarming moment that we’d most likely look forward to every day.

Next morning, you found yourself waking up with little buddy splattering slob all over your face. You were annoyingly happy to see him as it wasn’t just time for you to wake up, but it was for his breakfast, too. You find yourself adapting to this new routine, sighing that there are more things to take care of, but life is suddenly less dull.

It was all fun and smiles up until they suddenly started trouble, you found yourself following a loud noise coming from the living room. You found a little buddy had thrashed the whole room, papers munched and scattered all over the floor, a small part of the couch and a bunch of his toys already destroyed. You immediately call him out as he lowered his body with ears drooping, clearly guilty. But he looks at you with those wide puppy eyes that make you quickly give in. You couldn’t be mad at him for too long. Whatever shall you do with them?

On a Saturday, you intend to finish your backlogs and assignments by today, but little buddy pops out of your desk trying to take a sneak peek at what you’re doing. You can’t help but look at him and couldn’t resist picking him up. But doing your daily tasks was less boring now. And on a random Monday, you found out you failed your midterm exams and went home crying, but little buddy takes a sneak peak at you yet again and comes to you, suddenly feeling less alone and comforted, they give you a hug full of warmth. Whatever shall you do without them?

As you spend the next few years with them, on your birthdays, their birthdays, christmas season, new year’s season, but also the hardest seasons of your life were brighter and more colorful. Little buddy’s presence became a huge part of your life. You even remember the days you go to the park together, walking around the town and visiting the beach together.. We sometimes wish that these moments lasted longer.

But then, you suddenly realized how little buddy had grown as he had put on weight, he was taller and much bigger than ever you remembered. Little buddy wasn’t so little anymore. You call him to come to you but his walk is starting to slow down, as you hear short breaths in between. You were worried but couldn’t accept what was happening before your eyes.

His eyes droopy and his face full with his white powdered fur, your heart slowly ached at the sight. You didn’t realize how much time had already passed. You can’t help but look back on the first day you got him, as you remembered how you melted when he looked up at you lovingly. You smile at him and even with his matured size, he still had that same puppy eyes.

Their lives can only live for so long but somehow it was still short lived. While it had only been a chapter in our life, for little buddy, he already spent his whole lifetime with you, and it was filled with special moments and memories with them. And now you’re witnessing their last moments with you. As you watch the sun set so beautifully, little buddy looks up at you and smiles at you for the last time.

But for you, he wasn’t truly gone, he was still there as you remembered the kind of presence he bought into your home. He wasn’t just a pet, but he was also your best friend, a comforting companion that kept you warm and safe for so long. They were happy to say hello and also happy to say goodbye, and you’ll hold on to the moments you’ve had together, as you carry their memories within your heart. And you bid them the saddest of farewells.

‘Goodbye, little buddy.’

Piece by P. Adona