photo rama 02: playing with my lab luv.

The END.:)

run with a purpose.

Why join a marathon/running event?

Runners have different answers, most may say that they want to have a healthy lifestyle, be fit or just enjoy a sport. Others, on the other hand, find the meaning of running at a different level: helping others. Some people may not know it but a lot of running events have causes; more than hyping your sympathetic noradrenergic system, it nourishes your heart.

For me, running is equal to making a difference in another person's life. I don't run for the sake of bib, timing chip, singlet, medal or even personal record. Whenever I decide to join an event, the first thing that I ask and look for is: What is it for?

Cause: running shoes for public school students.

I run for a cause...and will always will. I may not be an heiress or born in a prominent family that have the luxury of being a full-time philanthropist but, (for now) I'm contented with the realization that I'm extending my hand (or legs, rather) at it's farthest reach by taking each stride with a purpose.

I've been busy for the past three weeks due to the wave of hardcore exams which ended just hours ago, and I missed a lot of good running events.:(  As I was browsing potential events that I may run into to get back on track, I came across this: 

My heart sank. I missed helping this poor soul. Even if I registered at this event, it was too late for her. Too late for one soul but not for hundreds and thousands of others.

No, it is still not too late. Aside from Sofia Ysabel, a lot more living bodies are waiting to be helped. I searched more. The following are the upcoming events that I believe runners should be interested to participate with. God willing, I will be running majority of these events. 

See you.:)

**These are the interesting ones I saw for the months of Sept-Oct. You may want to check these sites for more details or events: http://www.pinoyfitness.com/ and http://www.takbo.ph/index.php?option=com_eventlist&Itemid=32

For the Neck and Throat Cancer Charity Patients:

To raise awareness of the "bingot" condition and cleft care:
http://www.milesforsmiles.pepsquadevents.com/

For the Cancer Warriors Foundation:
http://www.c-warriors.org/

For Pediatirics Charity patients: 
http://run4change.com/2011/08/fam-on-the-run-september-25-2011-mckinley-hill/

For PGH Breast Care Center and other selected hospitals: 
http://www.avonkgbcphilippines.com/

For Public Elementary Schools in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
http://www.stpeter.com.ph/site_content.php?sid=3

This one will be on November pa but the organizers already started its promotion so I included it. I think Ill be running this one, 90% sure. Haha.^.^

will forever be missed.

I promise myself that this will be my last entry (muna) about them. For awhile, my blog has been filled with my thoughts on our babies/dogs, mostly sad ones, and I'm sure Pretty won't like that, she always wants me to be happy [I almost see her wagging tail while typing that.] So 'til, babies.

We love you both.

and Love is eternal.

On a sunny afternoon, the clouds were gray.

This picture was taken minutes before I left bebe
at Ian's house. It was a Sunday, April 10th.

That is what I felt...for today, two of the loveliest dogs I've loved died.

Eros, Ian's baby and Misty, my supposed to be future baby. :(

Eros is a half Shitzu, half Maltese cutie that I gave Ian, my beloved almost four months ago as a graduation gift. I personally named him Eros, for three reasons:

1. It is the Greek word for "Love". And though I   absolutely don't believe in mythologies, I like the story of "Eros and Psyche" (Love and Soul).

2. Due to the heart-shaped colored hair on his forehead (which he even eventually loses after two months). 

3. I love Ian and giving him a dog which name depicts love is just fitting.

Eros (I also call him bebe) just turned three months then. Though I was a bit sad of letting him go, I was also happy at the same time knowing that he'll be more taken care of with his new family.

Sleepy Misty, about one month.

Misty, on the other hand is a half dachshund, half greyhound sweetheart. Though I didn't request for any in return when I gave Eros, Ian promised me Misty as a special gift. I was hesitant at first but since I love dogs, I thankfully accepted the idea. She already turned three months almost a month ago, and I was supposed to get her already last week but the inevitable happened---she, together with her sister, Nita and Eros got sick.

Nita, Misty's only litter sibling died first, out of  what they thought as a mere diarrhea. On the night of Nita's death, Misty started to vomit and excreted bloody diarrhea late that night..she was confined at the vet the following morning. Eros exhibited the same signs two days after, and he followed Misty at the community vet.

Observations were done and the result took us by surprise. The culprit was Parvovirus, a potentially lethal virus that causes infection in dogs and puppies that indeed causes bloody diarrhea and vomiting. The said virus is asymptomatic (meaning no visible symptoms can be observed) until it is fully blown in the system. Among other organ defects, it causes extreme damage to the intestinal tract, explaining the bloody diarrhea. For more complete info, visit link: http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/dognz/a/parvodog.htm . To how the virus reached my boyfriend's residence is unknown but what is known is that Parvo is epidemic at their baranggay.

The two dogs were left in the care of their trusted veterinarians and since the diagnosis, we could only hope for the best. Learning how serious the condition is, Ian repeatedly told me to pray for their recovery and I did ( I'd do it anyway even if he didn't tell me to). Those two dogs were special, they are our babies and we hoped and prayed hard until this day. This day when our prayers have been answered differently.

Eros drew his last breath between 9:42-10:20 in the morning. Ian called me just before my second class start and at his first word, I already knew what he's about to say due to the urgency and agony in the tone of his voice. I left the room for awhile and started to cry. Bebe seemed to be well this morning, he even had the strength to stand and wag his tail when he saw Ian. Ian was about to carry him when all of a sudden he cried from pain and his muscles contracted. Eros died a painful death, from a seizure attack- aside from Parvo, he also had another virus in his system, known as distemper. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dogdiseasesconditions/a/CW-Distemper.htm

Misty followed him some time later in the afternoon, between 5:30-6:30pm. She was a tough soul, being  younger and fragile than Eros but has managed to survive hours longer. I could imagine how hard she fought there as she was in the incubator, seeing how Eros died and how Ian cried, she must have tried hard to live to not suffer the same fate. Unfortunately, the virus was stronger than the antibiotics and other medications; the virus was stronger than her will. This news is so disheartening, two deaths in a day is just too much. Guilt also overtook me for technically, Misty is already mine. I was supposed to take care of her but I wasn't even able to hold her 'til her last moment. The chance of doing so is forever lost.

Ian was and is still inconsolable. The pain that he's feeling pains me as well..it's like a deja vu for me, I lost two dogs in a day too; [Pretty, my irreplaceable anak and her baby.. It was so painful, I didn't had the heart to blog its details up to this day.] I knew that words are not enough but I just told him what I told myself when the same experience happened to me: that wherever the passed dogs are, they are happy together with our other deceased pets and that at least there, they are not suffering anymore. Though they will no longer be visible or physically seen, they'll forever stay with him, in his heart..and they will look after him. 

After this dire incident, I can only think of these two important conclusions:

NEVER OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINE and DO NOT DELAY.

Nita, Misty and Eros were just 4-6 months old puppies and they were still unimmunized. I am not and will not blame Ian's family though, had they known about this earlier, I am sure they will take the proper measures immediately. They also did more than enough when they realized that the dogs were sick. Viruses are nonetheless opportunistic and it just so happen that it had affected and taken our dearest's lives. 

Both of our babies died this day and it will never be forgotten.

photo rama 01: KFC Tower Burger

I therefore conclude:  Parehong nakakaumay but double down is way, way better than tower burger. Will not eat KFC burgers muna.;p

since it's raining~

An old, popular nursery rhyme goes:

"Rain, rain go away,  come again another day;

little Johnney [or children] wants to play..."

Funny how this song reminds me of countless downpours that hindered me from playing outside when I was a little child. There were times that they let me get drenched together with the neighbors' kids (or cousins) and  those were really great times. However, when the wind is already whistling and swaying the trees hard, they didn't let me even near the gate. In my child mind it's just a rain, and rain seemed fun- all the time. I was quite desperate then, crying and sticking by the window 'til the last raindrop fall. Years later, I realized that it's just fitting to be inside the house when the rain is a storm, and I'm thankful that my parents are responsible ones and they didn't let me go no matter how stubborn I was.;p

But childhood days are over, I'm twenty-three, and I'm free. =D

By free means: I can go outside and play in the rain, even if it's a storm! (Well, provided that it's still Signal 2 and the roofs are not detaching yet). Haha. So with that, I went outside to get wet.

Dan took this picture as he watched me
play like crazy from  his bedroom window.

I tried to lure my brother, Dan (21 yrs.) to have a good soak with me since it's raining relentlessly but he was too preoccupied with his FB.:( Too bad there is no one who can join me that time in my regression attack; we were in our rented house near the school. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time in the rain..including my shower with the water from our neighbor's bit dirty roof. LOL.

Minutes later, it came to us that I'm not the only one who's wanting to have a good time then. Behind our close door, our labradog expressed his desire to go out by watching me from the window. He was immovable. Relating to what he might be feeling, I asked our kasambahay to let him out also.;p

Brother took this also, and as he did, I felt that he was
regretting why he didn't join us. Hehe.

Much to my surprise: though he's afraid of thunders, he absolutely loves rain. Bruce was so playful and I bathed him as a reward for being a fine company. He definitely added another to my cherished rain memories, and I was thankful.

Thankful not only because of him, but also for the fact that though I'm not a child anymore, I can still enjoy the rain like one.:)