Bobby Leo.
A Dog, one of a pair of the most beautiful dogs in the world which TGC live in. Probably other dog owners would also make such claims about their pets, and rightly so.
You see, what makes them beautiful is not how they look on the outside. They can be the ugliest labrapoodle, shar-pei or even the bug eyed looking pugs but, its their soul, their eyes, their individual quirks that makes them beautiful and, the lessons you learn from caring for them.
TGC still remember the night Bobby Leo entered her life. He was a ticks-infested cross breed that her lawyer uncle dumped on them. Fiercely independent and headstrong, it was the night when he learnt abandonment and real love. You never forget the look of pure sadness after you look into his eyes when he realised his Syed Baba loving crazy owner had dumped him.
As a result of that abandonment, its as if he decided to built up all these barriers to protect himself. Bobby Leo developed a ‘touch-me-not’ ttitude.
TGC had swore to herself that she would break those barriers down and it took her thirteen years to do it.
Bobby Leo was a master food scavenger. He has scavenged the garden for our neighbour’s green apple mangoes, TGC’s mom’s papaya, potatoes and even durians. There was a time when he ate a whole papaya and durian, spitting the seeds and the leaving the empty husk behind. The only evidence of his crime could be found in his constant crapping.
Bobby Leo was a runner despite his port belly, you could tell that he was a stout guy in dog’s eyes because of his muscled doggy shoulders.
He loved food and he loved freedom. A good combination which helped keep him in shape. Whenever the gates on the car porch opened, one could literally see the song ‘I wish I could fly, I wish I could spread my wings and fly away..’ by R Kelly as Bobby Leo would race out of the door, onto the porch and burst through the gates, fires burning within his eyes.
TGC would chase after him throughout the neighbourhood and, when the distance got too far between them, Bobby Leo would stop in the middle of the road and turn back with a grinning look as his tongue lolls out as if to say, ‘ Aw come’ on, that’s it? That’s all you got?’
Bobby Leo would never be caught if he did not want to be caught. He was that fast on his four furried feet. The only weakness to his strength seems to be his inane need to pee at every, EVERY lamp post and on clean shining wheels.
After being caught, he would happily strut back into the house with his crazy tail wagging and head straight to the kitchen to ask for food, as if it was a normal routine every single time.
Ironically, when TGC took Bobby Leo out for walks or runs, he’d take his time to stroll as if to show that the walk was boring him. Even when goaded into a jog, he’d show who’s boss by suddenly pulling TGC up short when he needs to take a piss or a dump. And, he usually chose the time when the jog had gotten into a comfortable rythmn and pace. Many a times, TGC found herself close to collapsing from sudden stopping.
Oh wait, there’s another thing that could stop him in his tracks. The glass doors or doors in general. Many a times Bobby Leo would run smack into the glass door with his bone, soft toy or stolen food on his way out to bury them. He’s so fast on his paws that he never stops to consider his path. Once, he had even flown straight into the room door that was not glass or transparent. Flown, yep from bed straight to door , SMACK!
Whenever he was eating, Bobby Leo would snap at any stray hand or fingers near his feeding bowl which, literally brings to mind the phrase-Biting the hand that feeds you. TGC was a victim many times with ‘battle’ scars to prove. However, on his last days, Bobby Leo had to let TGC literally feed him his food as he had gotten too weak but still wanted to fight to live. The fire remained in his eyes.
TGC knows that Bobby Leo, despite his stubborness and barriers, he loved and trusted his owners. He trusted them to protect him from when he provoked other non-leashed, huge and wild stray dogs. TGC had found herself grabbing Bobby Leo and running for their lives on many occasions as a result of Bobby’s bravado. There was a particular scary occasion when even running didn’t help and aide finally came in the form of the old uncle at the convenience store with a wooden broom.
In retrospect, TGC sometimes wonder if maybe Bobby Leo had a big ego problem since he seemed to take extra delight in goading dogs way bigger than him and, ignored dogs smaller than him. Also, he really loved dressing up. He had a favourite rugby t-shirt with the words,”COWDOGS FROM HELL” on its front. He’s had jumpers and other plain t-shirts but, he always loved his cowdog t-shirt. And his slob stained pillow.
Sometimes, Bobby Leo would entertain TGC with his pound-dog tricks by sitting up like a human and beg for treats, whenever he felt like it. Or, he’d find a forgotten t-shirt and crawl into it and wait until unsuspecting humans walked past and he’d suddenly pop his head out of the collar hole and grin up with his mouth hanging open. When TGC was sad, Bobby Leo would be there, at the corner of her room, under her feet when she played the piano or just within her peripheral vision. To let her know that he was there and she was not alone.
No one could ever tell Bobby Leo what to do or what not to do. Like a child, he tended to take “no” for “yes” and, “yes” for “yes”. Or, he simply pretended not to hear you. A real rebel.
Once, to outrightly rebel against TGC when she said, “No stealing the cat’s food,” He made sure TGC saw him as he lifted his hind leg and did a quick spray onto Joe, the cat. Well, the next time he didn’t need to steal the cat food since TGC’s terrified orange tabby just lets him have first taste of it since then.
There were many times when TGC wanted to hug her Bobby Leo but because of his weird ‘touch-me not’titude, even when he was clearly sick, he’d rather drag his sorry ass then let anyone carry him. Not even to the vet. He’d rather fight sickness on his own than to let anyone touch him. The vet made several house calls and even earned a scar from him.
But on days when it rained and there was lightning, he became a different dog. He would climb into her laps or begged to be carried. Strong as he was on normal days, rainy days proved to be his kryptonite. Maybe that is also another reason why TGC developed an affinity for rain. It was the only time she ever got to carry her baby close to her. The only time when he needed her.
During his last days, Bobby Leo held out for a full week to ensure everyone was home before he finally let TGC’s mom carry him to the vet the final time.
He passed away peacefully alone and without fear on the morning of December 25, 2000.
Truly a fighter and and an independent cross breed terrier, he showed us that he did not need us even to the end but, that we needed him more.
TGC will never forget how the crematorium technicians at Mt Pleasant doubted that Bobby Leo was truly dead until they tried to lift his ‘riggor mortis stiff curled up with eyes closed’ body out from the box. “Oh my, he looks like he’s just sleeping!” the nameless guy remarked in awe even as TGC fought to control her tears.
Even in death, Bobby Leo wanted to look good.
Bobby Leo was a very central part of TGC’s life and, will always be. He was her muse, love and joy. Even after his death 8 years on, TGC sometimes still hear his bell ringing and an answering chain clanging from her other beloved deceased dog, Honi. The two were like chalk and cheese when alive, complete opposites but, they taught TGC valuable lessons about life and being a fighter when they were alive.
Dogs, unlike humans, do not need much from us. They just want love, trust, understanding and attention. Intangible things that money cannot buy.
Posted by The Gay Cat 
Posted by The Gay Cat 