Camila



Camila

???? – October 26, 2007

We brought big, beautiful you home from the shelter to give you a few good last months. After all you were an 11 year old Neapolitan Mastiff, recently abandoned by what had been a loving mother. You were so sad, but you chatted during the whole ride to the house, and you sure had a few surprises in store for us.

Immediately you established who was who and what was to be what around here. The ground rules were no sharing of anything…toys, food, whatever and no dogs who didn’t live here could enter. You were queen. Once the other dogs understood that, all would be well. Also, you liked to lie smack in front of the doorway, and we were all to step gingerly over you. We did. Daddy was to relinquish the better part of his office to make room for the bed that you shared with your little stuffed chicken. You talked a lot, you sang a little off key, you were very big and very old with not just a touch of arthritis, but you could still pull yourself up to do a jig when mommy or daddy came home, and you could sure down those frozen chicken feet despite your missing most of your teeth. What is more, you certainly were not above stealing anything you could get your paws on. One of my fondest memories of you is your walking into the bedroom with a huge basket filled with dog food hanging around your neck, proud as you could be.

It was three years one month and twenty-one days ago you came to live with us. You were about 98 years old when you said good-bye. Sau Lee and Sui-Yen miss you. I see that. Sau Lee alone was granted the privilege of jumping on you as you were walking back from your night time treat. She loved that. Daddy and mommy are grieving hard, and the house itself seems sad, but at the same time, we celebrate your life. You lived with such dignity, serenity, and joy, all of which you shared with everyone..

Thank you Camila Pila for your gift of love and laughter.