Personal Blog: The Sweetest but Saddest Walk

 Last day, September 8, 2025, I witness the sweetest but saddest walk of my son and my dog, Coda. For the first time, Coda walked side-by-side with him. We used to pull him because he's a homebody who refused to go outside. He's afraid of the outside world. So this scene amazed me like never before. Naglalakad din pala siya ng ganito? I should have known. 

That day was different. Is that because he had full trust to his brother (my son)? Or would that be a way of submission to what lies ahead? I didn't capture the moment because I choose not to remember. 

In the Philippines, we often proclaim that we are animal lovers country but there are thousands of apartment for rent, condo and other rental properties that prohibit animals. Disregarding the fact that to an animal lovers, their dogs and their cats are part of the family. We are the unfortunates that often encounter this kind of silent disgust to animals and conceals them in the so-called "contract". 

All I thought, I will not cry. All I thought, surrendering him to the City Veterinary Clinic would be better than releasing him in the open. I was wrong. I shouldn't be carried away with my emotion but should have practically research everything first.

Coda had been part of our last three Christmas'. My husband brought him to me and since then, he became my constant happiness every time I am stress at work. He loves licking my face to show that he cares. Palaging nagpapakandong kahit malaki na siya. He played with me so much. He knew the time to wake me up. He's life revolved around us in the two-story apartment with the kind owner who happened to allow us to adopt him.

But things changed when I decided to buy to house. I've been longing for a house because all our lives we've been renting. I supposed to buy a Condo nearby but it happened that my salary is not enough for that. Instead, we secure a home far away. Dogs are allowed  but we don't live there because that is far from school and my work.

Buying a car for a minimum income earner is not an option, renting small apartment is, so we did. In this decision, our dog and our cat is out of the equation. We've searched several rental properties near us, most of them accepts two persons only and without animals. We're four in the family. 

One of my team member offered me a low-cost apartment and we love it. Small, affordable, cozy. I grabbed it right then at the expense of my beloved animals. 

Our city have this Veterinary Clinic where you can surrender a dog with this strict rules: "Bawal Silipin. Bawal Balikan. Bawal dalawin." I am so hopeless and fearful that if I just get him lose in the unknown, the worst may happen. That Vet Clinic is the best and safest place I've known to take care of him, so I thought. But...

In the Philippines, if a dog is taken to (or left at) a city veterinary clinic/impound, the outcome depends on the local government unit’s (LGU) policies and resources. Generally, here’s what happens:

1. Holding/Impound Period

   • The dog is usually kept in the city pound for a set period (often 3–7 days, but it varies by city ordinance).

   • During this time, the owner can claim the dog, usually by paying impound and care fees.

2. Assessment

   • City vets may check the dog for illness, rabies symptoms, and overall condition.

   • If the dog is aggressive or shows signs of rabies, it may be isolated and observed.

3. Adoption/Transfer

   • In some LGUs with active animal welfare partnerships, unclaimed healthy dogs are put up for adoption or transferred to NGOs/animal rescue groups.

   • Unfortunately, not all cities have strong adoption programs.

4. Euthanasia/Disposal

   • If the dog is unclaimed after the holding period, and there are no adoption partners or enough space, many city pounds do resort to euthanasia due to overcrowding.

   • This practice varies, but it is still common in many areas.

 Leaving your dog at a city pound/clinic is usually treated as surrender or abandonment. 

Coda's walk with my son that day crushed my spirit. He's already a big dog, there is a greater chance that he can't make it to adoption. Also, there are so many biases in the Philippines when it comes to owning a dog and one of that is "Dapat may Lahi" to be treated with extra care. He's not pure breed. 

God knows that in my heart, I wanted a better, safer place for him, I never thought it may end up to his possible death. I am so guilty. 

I want to blame everything in my decision to buy a property. Though this is not altogether bad, the house is too distant. If I've choose wisely, I shouldn't have lost a dog.

As I walked down the road to work that night, I cried silently, amidst the wisps of rain. I no longer have a dog to bring our food with every night. I no longer have a dog to return to from home to buy four breads for his breakfast. 

He's gone. 

I asked Kuya where he left the dog, he said, he placed him inside the big cage with another dog in it. I imagine him there, wondering, confused, waiting. Maybe he will wait for us there to return. That cage is not the home I envisioned him to be with. His home is supposed to be a home with a family who will love him and care for him.

I will not adopt a dog again, not until I live permanently in the house I call my own. Because that "walk" will live forever in my mind. That walk could have been a thousand more walks if I did not decide to buy a house far, far away. 

I silently pray, he would find another family.

It's impossible for us to see him again but I hope that if we do, I hope he still know me. 

Farewell, my beloved Coda. And sorry for not being a good mother to you. I am not a good dog owner, too and maybe, I will never be.