Dee Dee recalls the first time she met Sire Bobby. She was making her way home when she caught sight of a beagle wandering in the area.

According to her, she had spotted this beagle a few times before but didn’t think too much of it. Shrugging it off and thinking it belonged to someone else in the neighbourhood, Dee Dee carried on with her journey.

“Later that day, just as I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post explaining that the same beagle I encountered earlier was actually abandoned,” Dee Dee told FMT.

That was not all; the news was made even grimmer the next day when she saw that the poor beagle had been tied to a tree by the neighbourhood security guards. They informed her that they were waiting for the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) to come and take him away.

“I felt so sorry for him. So I followed my gut, released him and took him to my office,” says Dee Dee.

Everyone at the office immediately warmed up to him, and they even pooled their money and efforts to take him to the vet for a full check-up after work.

“As he was on medication, I had to keep him at the office until he was fully treated and vaccinated. In the meantime, he became our office dog and we named him Bobby.”

Over time, after he was fully treated, Sire Bobby was brought to Dee Dee’s home, where she said he quickly became part of a new family.

In a bid to discover the reason for his abandonment, Dee Dee took Sire Bobby to her friend Elizabeth – Liz, for short – who was a telepathic animal communicator and the owner of a pet grooming shop called Bark ‘n’ Purr.

Through this session, Dee Dee found out that Sire Bobby once belonged to a family who took off without him despite looking after him for eight years.

“I was told that he wanted to be with me and my family. He was the sweetest and easiest dog I have ever taken care of. Hence, I added ‘Sire’ to his name.”

Unfortunately, things took an unexpected and harrowing turn in April 2019 when Dee Dee discovered a growth on Sire Bobby’s groin.

Dee Dee immediately scheduled an appointment with the vet to have the growth removed. But, the growth returned and Dee Dee dashed Sire Bobby off to the vet again just to receive more sad news.

“In May 2019, he was scheduled for his second surgery. It was at this time that they discovered he was actually suffering from Haemangiosarcoma.”

Haemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the blood vessel walls, commonly affecting dogs aged nine to 12 years.

Crestfallen and desperate, Dee Dee decided to consult three different vets for a better diagnosis – in hopes that there would be a solution.

But it was futile.

“I was told by the vet that Sire Bobby was left with only six months to live,” says Dee Dee with a sad and shaky voice.

“Over time, his body was covered with lumps. Even the slightest scratch would cause them to burst and bleed profusely.”

She added that they had to change his dressing frequently and put baby socks on him to prevent him from scratching his wounds.

According to Dee Dee, Liz was a great help throughout Sire Bobby’s journey.

“Her communication with Sire Bobby helped to give me an idea of how to tend to him on his bad days. She also told me that Sire Bobby wanted me home so he could spend his last days with me.”

And although the vet had told Dee Dee that Sire Bobby had only six months left, the strong Beagle put up quite a fight and lived for eight months despite the painful tumours.

“On the morning of Jan 15, 2020, Sire Bobby breathed his last,” says Dee Dee quietly.

“Our hearts felt empty but we filled it with memories of his short time with us. It was hard to accept that he was taken away from us, and so quickly at that.”

Dee Dee says she still has his ashes with her, and keeps it close so that they won’t ever have to part ways.

After sharing her story, Dee Dee implored that all pet owners in Malaysia take full responsibility for their pets and commit to them fully.

“All they ever want is a home, so please don’t ever abandon or give up on your pets. They have feelings too, just like us.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.