In memory of Happy.
May 1995 to June 24, 2010 (10:53 PM)
He was 15 years-old which in human years is 105 years-old. He was raised in Mommy’s family since he was a puppy and then Mommy and Daddy adopted him when he was about 6 years old. Ever since then he has been considered Mommy and Daddy’s first “child.”
Happy and I were more similar than you think:
1. Movements. Happy had bad hind leg arthritis and was on medication (Rimadyl and Tramadol). And of course, I haven’t learned how to walk yet, so neither one of us can walk very well. Mommy and Daddy have their hands full trying to help ambulate Happy. Despite his arthritis, he was adamant about going up and down the stairs to be with us.
2. Incontinence. Yes, Happy was just like me now. He cannot control his stool or urine all the time and had accidents all over the house. The only difference is that I have diapers!
3. Irritability with hunger. Happy had always loved food, but the older he gets, the more aggressive he is when he is hungry. During his last few months of life, he was no longer fearful of going through the trash. Nor was he fearful of showing his teeth and growling at Mommy & Daddy. Since I don’t have teeth yet, I can’t really growl with intimidation, but do cry and I can try my heart out when I am hungry.
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Rest in peace, Happy. Thanks for being the “gentle giant” you are to me during my first year of life.
Addendum on 7/24/2010:
Happy has had more exposure than most animals (and probably some humans) to Buddhism. Mommy hopes that Happy is able to reincarnate into the human realm so that at least he can cultivate.
– When Happy was younger, he used to stay with A-ma while she was praying or chanting. After A-ma went to City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, he began staying with Mommy while she was praying or chanting.
– When Happy was about 9 or 10 years old, Uncle Wade brought him to the temple to be “baptized” as a Buddhist disciple. Uncle Wade brought Happy because Mommy and Daddy were in Punta Cana at that time and couldn’t bring him themselves.
– Happy ate mostly vegetables, although his dog food did contain meat products.
– Prior to Happy’s death, Mommy placed a plaque at Avatamsaka Vihara for his creditors so he wouldn’t have to suffer as much during his final moments.
– After Happy’s death, Mommy placed another plaque at Avatamsaka Vihara so that his spirit will have somewhere to go for the first 49 days after death.
– Mommy chanted Amitabha Buddha’s name for 8 hours for Happy after he died. Unfortunately, his body was still hard after the chanting. However, his chest was still warm. Hopefully, this means he’ll reincarnate into the human realm.
– Mommy is in th process of chanting Earth Store Sutra 7 times during the 49 days after his death.
– Ultimately, Happy has to endure the karma he caused in previous lives, but at least in this life, Mommy did her best to give him the best chances of reincarnating back as a human. Rest in peace, Happy.