BLOG 2: From Adoption to Adventure: Meet Bambi!

Welcome to my daily blog!

Allow me to introduce this adorable, very cutesy and very demure member of our family, Bambi! With a heart full of love and a wagging tail that never stops, Bambi has quickly become the center of my world ever since my father passed away. Bambi is a mix of Husky and Maltese, which is why her left eye looks different from her right. She is full of energy and wants to play all day long. Despite being a dog, she’s quite the picky eater—she doesn’t want to eat the same food for breakfast and lunch. Much like me, she enjoys having different meals throughout the day. Bambi is somewhat of a lazy dog. When she plays by herself for about 5 minutes, she usually gets tired and sleeps for 1 to 2 hours after her playtime. She loves to play outside, but we don't allow her because there are a lot of stray dogs, and we’re concerned she could easily get pregnant or be exposed to diseases like rabies, flea or plague. Even though I’m afraid of animals because I tend to overthink and worry that I might get bitten, Bambi is different from what I expected. She’s so clingy and adorable, especially when she feels lonely and is left alone in the house. Bambi is already 1 year old, and I can’t imagine my life without her by my side because she’s the first pet I’ve ever had.

Back then, Bambi was an adopted puppy. My mother’s coworker decided to give their puppy to us since they already had too many dogs in their house. I was the one who contacted the owner because my mother didn’t want another dog due to a trauma that happened years ago when my brother was bitten by our first adopted dog. After that incident, my mother didn’t allow us to have any more pets—until Bambi came. That afternoon, while my mother was sleeping, I secretly contacted the owner and asked my brother to go to their house since the puppy was ready to be released. My siblings were very excited to have a pet again; it had been years since we wanted a dog in our house. When my brother came back, he was already carrying the puppy, and just a minute after my mother woke up, she was surprised to see the puppy in the living room. At that moment, my mother was so angry and insisted that the puppy be returned to her coworker. Well, we insisted because we wanted to have a pet again. We tried to convince her that Bambi was one of a kind—she had different eyes, bigger paws, and was very adorable. That’s when our mother stopped insisting; she started to give Bambi a chance. At that time, Bambi was around 2-3 months old, and we got her on February 16, 2023. The name "Bambi" was given by my sister because we thought Bambi was a boy. After a few months, we were shocked to discover that she is actually a girl.

Months passed, and Bambi has played a huge part in my life. Every time I feel stressed with my classes, OJT, or work, Bambi is there to make me feel like I'm not alone. My boyfriend and I are very grateful for Bambi and her adorable presence. Bambi and my boyfriend are best friends; I feel like they have a special connection with each other. Bambi always follows whatever my boyfriend tells her. She loves to play with him because she knows my siblings are too busy, and she also knows that my mother will scold her for pooping and urinating in every corner of the house. When Bambi wants to play with me, I still get afraid she might bite me. However, my boyfriend always helps me learn how to handle Bambi's bubbly personality so that I can understand her better. Sometimes, I get irritated when Bambi is too energetic and clingy, or when she scratches me with her long nails. However, I quickly remind myself that this is just her personality, and I understand her more each day.

When the holidays came, I realized that Bambi had somewhat become our child. Every time we visit home, Bambi is the first thing I look for, and my boyfriend and I are always so happy to see her running toward us, licking us. My sister is the one who buys things for Bambi, such as shampoo, toothbrushes, clothes, and more. On the other hand, my mother has learned to love Bambi even more; she’s the one who feeds her, and she knows that Bambi's favorite food is nilagang chicken feet. My brother is the one who grooms Bambi. Also, if my boyfriend is not around, my brother is one of Bambi's playmates. Lastly, my boyfriend and I give Bambi the love she deserves. Sometimes, we’re the ones who bathe her, let her run around the backyard, or clean up after her when she poops or urinates.

When I took my board exam last year, every time I went home, Bambi was always on the stairs waiting for me. She would bark and get excited to be carried. If she was sleeping, I would sing to her and massage her head and furry body. She used to shed a lot because she’s half husky. Whatever I felt every day, Bambi mended it all and reminded me that there is always a tomorrow to pursue things successfully. I would talk to her and rant sometimes, and I felt more open to sharing things with her. When I cried, Bambi would bark, as if telling me she didn’t want to see me cry. The pain I felt when my father passed away, Bambi was always there to comfort me, to save me, and to fill the lonely part of our family. A dog is truly a best friend. Their loyalty, unconditional love, and playful spirit make them the perfect companion. Whether you're feeling down or simply need someone to share your day with, a dog is always there, ready to comfort you with a wagging tail or a warm cuddle. They never judge, always listen, and are there through every high and low, making them irreplaceable in our lives.

This is truly an adventure—a rollercoaster ride. Things don’t always go as expected. Who would have thought that I could love a dog more than anything else? Well, that’s the real bond between a loving owner and a playful dog. To everyone who has a pet, love them and never hurt or abandon them. They may be dogs, but they still have feelings. If you can't take care of them, let someone else adopt them. Dogs don’t need expensive treatments; all they need is unconditional love and care because they know they deserve it. Whether with breed or without, they are still dogs. They need love and affection.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and connect with my thoughts today. I’m excited to continue sharing my journey with you, and I hope you found something here that resonated or an idea. This blog is a space for growth, inspiration, and conversation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or experiences in the comments. Feel free to share if something stood out to you. Here’s to many more stories, lessons, and moments of connection ahead! See you in the next post!