Back in his country, he had never been so much of pet lover, until one day his oldest son,

still a
teenager, brought home two puppies. He wanted to say no, but couldn't because the children
loved them immediately. After that he himself became attached and accustomed to dogs in
home. When they moved to U.S. they had to leave in Brazil their two dogs to never hear of them
again. In U.S. they had parrots and dogs as pets.

But here in Philippines, three months had passed and he missed having a dog again. Filipinos
love dogs in two ways: as pets and as dish. Yes, they may not be so proud to tell you, a
foreigner, that they eat dogs, but they do. Sometimes, he could see the little truck coming to the
purok buying dogs, and some pets would become money in the hands of their owners. He had
thought about that: if he would have a dog, he would be saving a animal from became a
delicacy. That seemed noble to him, but, sure, it was more of an excuse to go looking for a dog,
because he was bored to his bones in those hot and humid filipino afternoons. At least, if he had
a dog, he would have a little more entertaining in those languish days.

In fact, some days back, in one of his long walks at dusk time, he had seen two puppies playing
on the front yard of a house, one black and another white. He thought to ask the white one to
the owner, but, truthfully, he was a little uneasy to simply appear with a dog in house without
first consult with Emma. She seemed indifferent to the dogs. He had never seen her scoffing
them out or petting them. He didn't know how she could react if he would suddenly bring a dog
home.

So today, he was going to ask her.

Babe, sometimes I feel so bored here, without anything to do I am thinking to get a dog, so i
can play with it and entertain myself during the day. What do you think?, he addressed her,
trying to give the most casual tone of voice he could.

They had just finished lunch and she was busy with the dishes in the little kitchen. He had, in
the past, tried to help her with the dishes, but after two or three attempts she let him know that
she didnt need his help, that she could do faster and better if she would do by herself. So, he
conveniently receded himself from her claimed domain. However, he second-guessed his
initiative on asking her while she was busy doing something. In this particular, she was like most
Americans -- she hated to be disturbed when occupied with her chores. He couldnt never
understand and accept well this bothering of Americans on resenting so strongly if you interrupt
them from their tasks. Brazilians were different. Most of them wouldnt bother if you address
them when they were occupied, they would answer you while continuing doing whatever they
were doing, or even stop doing it altogether to give you full attention, many times welcoming the
unexpected break. It must be something cultural that Brazilians, being Latinos, and perhaps a
more laying-back people, would choose a conversation over work. However, lucky him, she
answered him (without stopping her working) and her answer came out pretty much civil, so he
was relieved for having avoid her storming temper.

Yes, I think you could, if you want. Many people here have a dog. If you want, why not? But
Oh those buts... Why? Why must have buts?, he thought , trying to prepare for what was
coming next. But, she repeat, if you do get a dog, you are the one to take care of it, not me,
OK?

After hearing her but (not belligerent, but still commanding), he was relieved. Yes, it was OK
with him, but since she seemed to be in a good mood about the topic, he dared to exploit the
moment a little further.

Why Babe? You dont like dogs? he wanted to know.

I do like dogs, but I, myself, dont want to have a dog. You are the one that wants the dog, so
you should take care of him, because I have too much already on my plate, with cleaning,
washing, cooking and selling.

Oops!, he thought its better not continue on this line of conversation, knowing that she could
get mad for any reason at any moment.

Ok babe, sure, I will take care of the dog, if I get one, he said employing his most agreeable
tone of voice. Do you know anybody that might have puppies and want to give them away?, he
said, trying to involve her in his project. The answer came short and cold:

No.

That was an indication that she really didnt want to have anything with the pet project, and he,
burned from past experiences, knew very well, that it was better not insist on bring her aboard.

Yes, many times he seemed so afraid of her. Well, not of her, exactly, but of her temper. He
had experienced occasions in which casual conversations with Emma deteriorate to a hot
argument in matter of minutes, and for the sake of his emotional health, he didnt want to press
his luck too far with her. It was not cowardice. Because their pre- marriage relationship had
been online, they didnt had the experience of knowing each others temper. As one can
imagine, when you are courting somebody, you dont show your bad side. That only appeared,
both from her and him, when he came to Manila to know her and lived with her for 5 months.
Their first fight in Manila had been about something stupid. He had corrected her English
(something that he should never have done, since he also was ESL speaker) and caused a
fight that last three days. He remember that because in those three days, she gave him a total
fasting of romance, refusing all his attempts to engage her in intimate activities. They often
fought in Manila, that was why now, knowing her and her temper a little better, he was resolved
to not hit her buttons for trivial things.

Later on, when he would be doing his usual walking by the neighborhood, he would look for
puppies dogs. Perhaps he also could engage the children of the purok in his search. They
certainly would love to help this foreigner to find a puppy. So, thinking of that he went to the
porch and sat there, waiting for any child pass by, so he could recruit them to help him with his
pet project. In few minutes, when the children noticed him in the porch, they come close, to talk
to him in English, which conversation was almost invariably How are you, What is your
name? Questions he had answered to extenuation in other times to the same child again and
again. He wouldnt mind to answer repeatedly for he knew that they want to just communicate
with him, and, on answering them, he would employ the few English words and phrases they
knew, even if this would look pretty funny, sometimes.. He had learned the word for dog in
Filipino; it was aso and when Armie came, the 5-year old girl that lived just in front, across the
narrow street, he passed the information to her.

Armie ,I want a little dog, an aso.

She promptly made the relation between the two words, and answered as she wanted to
confirm that aso means dog.

Yes, aso, dog!, she exclaimed, lively.

Yes, I know, I want one aso, he repeated, helping his communication with gestures. Can you
look for a little dog for me?, said him, again utilizing his hands to make himself more
understandable.

She said, loudly, Yes, dog for you.

Yes!, he confirmed, also excited, seeing that he was successful to pass his message through.
Small dog, not big dog, small one, puppy!, he explained.

Yes, she repeated small dog!

Now he was lost again, not knowing if she had understood his request, or if she was just
repeating his words, showing that she had learned small dog. Anyway, for the sake of not
complicating the situation further, he decided to assume that she had understood, and finish the
conversation with a enthusiastic Thank You!

You are welcome!, she answered, eager to show him she knew the correct way to answer to a
Thank You. Again, he decided to be quiet, to not ensue more confusion into the already
confused dialog, and ruin any success he might have had.

He gave her a candy (he always kept some candy for the children in his pockets) and she left
happy as a kid can be with a cherry sucker in her hands.

*********

His search for a puppy was unsuccessful for the whole week. But one thing was certain: almost
everybody in the purok, specially the children knew that the foreigner, husband of Emma,
wanted a small dog. Even Emma had noticed the buzz in the little division and did commented
with him.

Mahal (the word for My Love in Filipino,) do you know that all the children over the Purok are
looking for a small dog for you?

Yes, he knew, but it would be better if he didnt reveal that to her, so her communication would
be valued. Accordingly, he pretended being surprised.

Really? Oh, so, soon I will have my dog, huh? he replied, trying to stretch a little longer the
conversation she fortuitously initiated about the dog he wanted.

Oh, I think so, because they are asking everybody for a puppy for you, she answered, still
keeping the good mood.

That is great, babe, he continued, I am really looking forward to have a dog, it really will help
me with my boredroom..

Oh, yes, she responded, if you get a puppy, you are going to be busy all the time, specially if
you are going to raise it by the American way.

American way, what do you mean? he asked, not knowing what she had in mind by using that
expression.

Yes, American way, she confirmed, Cant you see that Filipinos e Americans treat their dogs
in a different way?

How so? he asked, still, not getting it.

Well, as I have seen on television, Americans keep their dogs inside of their homes, they treat
their pets, like they are children. Here, not much so. Here, some people, specially the rich, may
keep their dogs inside, but, in general, as you have seen, dogs are kept outside of the house.

Ah, that is what you meant by American way.

He knew now what she was talking about. Perhaps dogs in Philippines were kept outside to
minimize the work of dealing with their waste, while you should be careful while waking on the
streets, where the dogs waste abound. Dogs could be source of occasional entertaining around
the purok. From the porch, several times he had seen dogs fighting, dogs playing and a pack
dogs pursuing a poor female dog on the heat, sometimes with one of them grotesquely attached
to her behind.

Well, he added, I intend to raise my dog in the American way, as you said.

You can, she replied, But remember: you are the one responsible for feed him, cleaning him
and after him! I have much work in this house already. I dont need a dog to increase it.

Ok babe, I will, dont worry, he agreed, but within, already fearing that perhaps having a dog
would be an additional stressor on their relationship. Would a dog be worth of it? Oh well, he
himself was one who didnt like dogs, and when actually had one around became emotionally
attached to it. Pets are like children, they have a natural enchantment, they captivate people
with their cuteness and innocence. Perhaps a dog would be luckier than him and would be able
to break Emmas hard husk and get more of her gentle side, which he, unfortunately, rarely had
seen in those three months of marriage.

********

Days were slowly dragged in the noisy mornings of Ice Plant purok, and the humid, hot
scorching afternoons were equally unpleasant. He, couldnt help but succumb under the might
Filipino weather. Although he was mostly an indoor creature, he couldnt stand stay under the
heat coming from the unceiled roof made of iron sheets. So, better than staying inside watching
Tagalog television, was to sit in the porch, watching the outside scenery. On the streets, boys
and girls, men and women tried to defend themselves from the heat in variously ways. Men
usually would bring a hat; young women if they were only transiting within the purok, would
bring a damp face-towel over the head, but if they were going to the neighboring city for
shopping, they would carry colorful umbrellas; most young men would bring a small damped
hands-towel over the head, especially for the ones with very short haircut. He had never being
used to hats in his life, they itched his head, specially his front head -- all of them. But, in the
Philippines, with the heat so strong, he had to use them, at least when leaving the house. In the
little purok they lived, one could learn a lot about their neighbor (provided the person is not a
foreigner and dont know much of their native language) because much of the conversation
between neighbors takes place right out there, on the streets. In the little over three months he
was there, he had seen on the street, from kissing sessions, heat arguments, to open fights
between grown adult men, armed with bats, stones and knives.

If he glanced his sight to the right, he could see, four or five houses away, the main road
interconnecting larger cities to East and West. If he just let his eyes look down on the street, he
could see the southern end of Ice Plant, the abandoned house to the right and the ugly house to
the left. Sometimes, he liked to follow with his eyes, people that would pointed at the curve,
coming from the Farm, as Emma used to call the region beyond the purok, but for him known
as wetlands, because they easily got flooded with the any rain lasting more than one hour. They
had to pass by him in order to reach the main roads where the jepneys stops were. All kinds of
people passed by him, children, young, adults, old, but he, for the sake of entertain himself, use
to wonder, when they appeared down at the curve, if could be, by a lucky chance, a pretty girl
coming up. The Wetlands had a good stock of them, pretty girls that would come up, exhibiting
their filipino beauty to the people along the way, even to a much older foreigner like him.

But, now, instead the usual one or two people at time coming up, there it comes up a noise
group of children and, even from far, he noticed that one of them had a puppy dog in the arms.
When they approached closer, he could clearly distinguish in the group, Armie, the girl from
across -- she was the one carrying the puppy. He got up and went outside to wait for them;
when they saw him, they start running towards him.

Pastor! Pastor! Look ! Small dog for you!somebody loudly announced, as they met at the
corner of his house.

The little crowd of children could sum up at least ten noisy kids, chiefed by a proudly Armie,
with a big smile, offered him the dog. He got the puppy in his hands and immediately notice she
was scared, trembling, certainly caused by all the excitement around. It wasnt a too little
puppy, it could be one or two months old. He turned the dog belly up to check the gender. It was
a female. He would prefer a male, but females, he knew, also can make good pets.

Oh, that is marvelous, children he exclaimed, and addressing the little Armie, Thanks, Armie,
you finally found me a dog!.

Yes, Pastor! My friend small dog! Now, your dog!

Oh, thank you, very much. Yes, my dog now!, he confirmed. Let me take her inside. She is
scared, see? She is trembling.

He went inside the house, and all the children followed him. The children were used to be in his
house, for they were ones that mostly fill up the living room every Sunday Service he officed.
Emma was not in home. In the kitchen he found a little bowl, filled it with water and brought
close to the little dog to see if he would drink. The dog still scared, had his little tail between her
legs and still quivering, was trying to hid herself underneath the furniture, only to be pulled from
there again and again by one of the children. He need to calm the poor animal. He sat on the
sofa, and grabbing the dog from the floor, placed her on his lap, starting to rub her back
longside. In few minutes, she was not trembling anymore and her tail, wagging, showing she
was comfortable there, in his lap. The children also had sat themselves on the sofa and other
chairs around, looking to the Pastor happily petting his small dog.

What name, pastor?, one of them wanted to know.

I dont know, he answered, only now noticing that he had not thought about the matter.

Immediately, suggestions start to pop from the group, dog names from their native language,
names so lengthy (as it is common with Filipino words) and so strange to him, that he could not
even to start to pronounce him. No, for sure, none of them! But, why not give her the same
name of the last dog he had, before the divorce in U.S.? Leenie. He noticed that some of the
names the children were suggestion seemed to be made of two words so perhaps he also
should give a doubled name to the dog. Leenie what? Well, since it was female dog, why not
call her, Leenie-Girl? Yes, this seemed good to him and, just like that, he was ready to
announce to the children around him the name for his newly acquired dog.

The dogs name is going to be Leeny-Girl.

Immediately, all the children started to repeat the name and calling the dog by her new name.
The dog, sure, had no idea that she had just been named. It was comfortably already sleeping
in his lap That was his cue for getting rid of the group -- otherwise, they could stay hours.

Shhh, he gestured silence with his finger at his lips. She is sleeping. She is tired. You all go
home now, when she wakes up, I will bring her outside, so you can see her again, ok?. And
that said, he carefully laid the dog on the sofa and started to lead the children away from the
living room towards the door. When they were all gone, he came back to the sofa, the dog was
up, indicating she want to go to the floor, but was afraid to jump down to it. He came, got her
again and again sat her on his lap, and again pet her back, much enjoying the moment.
Through the transparent curtain at the open door, he still could see that some children were
outside, but soon dispersed. Again he tried to give her water, putting her down, close to the
bowl with water. At this time the dog wanted it, and quickly drank a good half of it. Immediately
after, she started to sniff the floor. He knew what was coming: pee or poo. It was pee, a directly
result of the water she had just drank. And there was it, the living room floor had been properly
baptized with his pets first pee; which he rushed to clean before Emma could see it. Nobody
could anticipa
te which would be her reaction. He again brought the dog to his lap, and minutes later, both of
them, dog and her owner were sleeping; he leaned to one side of the sofa, and Leeny-Girl cozily
laying between his legs.

*******************

His nap was shorter than Leeny-Girls. She hadnt moved from her position. He let her be,
sleeping as she was between his legs, still. Now he could take a better look at her. Her body
was all white, except a brown spot on her chest, and a black spot between her eyes. He was
never knowledgeable about canine breeds, she didnt seem to belong to no especial breed, just
a common dog. He had in the past given some thought to the breed theme. He knew that some
dog breeds are better in certain abilities than others, but for him, what really mattered was that
commonness that dogs in general has with humans that make them among all the animals the
ones that can become man's best friends. Looking Leeny-Girl so comfortably sleeping on his
lap, seemed to him a promising indication that they would be great friends, and he couldnt help
to start this relationship.

It was when he was making plans for his relationship with his new puppy that Emma returned
from wherever she was. he rarely would say where she was going when leaving the house. That
was not the way he would like to be. He felt that since they were married, the spouse should
communicate to the other where he or she was going, so it could be reached in case of need of
the other, or even just for ensure peace of mind. He had noticed that she only would say where
she was going, if was important for her. Then she would say, I am going to my comadre, if
somebody comes looking for me, which most of times would happen. It was this independence
of hers that he sometimes admired so much -- for she wouldnt bother him too much asking his
help or participation -- or resented to a certain degree -- for he felt like he couldnt share of her
life as much as he wanted.

Oh, I see that you finally got your small dog, she said stressing the way the children had
referred to it.

Yes, babe, I got. Armie and platoon of children found it and brought to me. He wanted to ask
her how did she like it. But, afraid of receiving a cold answer, he decided fuel by himself the
conversation instead ask for her input. Her name is Leeny-Girl, the same name of another dog I
had, plus the Girl, that I added to look more a filipino name. She is just beautiful. Look at her
so at ease on my lap.

Yes, she seems already used to you. Now you have a girlfriend -- congratulations! He noticed
the ironic and caustic tone in her voice, but since he couldnt identify the cause, he just let it go,
not allowing her to stain that pleasurable moment between him and his new pet. Instead, he
agreed.

Yes, she certainly is going to be my friend -- isnt that all dogs are, mans best friend?

If you say so she replied, trying to show an indifference, again didnt go unnoticed by him.

As their voices had going louder, Leeny-Gir woke up. She got up and as dogs do, shook her
head to cast away and vestige of sleep and came to his chest, sniffing his face. He let her do it,
and caressed her face with his hand over her had and yes, which easily fitted the size of his
hands made into a shell. He sat up on the sofa and put her on the floor to see what she would
do. Immediately she started sniffing the floor,making circles, and he knew that she was going to
pee or poo again. At this time it was poo; unceremoniously, she deposited on the linoleum a
small amount of waste, before Emmas very eyes!

There you go! Oh, I cant see that! You need to teach her to do this outside of house. And you
better clean poop-poop right now! she chided, leaving the room in clear disapproval.

Oh my! he exclaimed, unbelieved of so much disproportional reaction for the incident. Do you
need to scream like that? She just arrived. It takes time to teach a dog to behave. It is not her
fault. She doesnt know better, you know?

It happened again. He had lost his cool. He couldnt help but to feel so frustrated by it. How
could he to expect Emma to control herself, if he couldnt himself? Still mad at the situation, he
went to
the kitchen looking for a rag, paper or something to clean the Leeny-Girls dirt in the living
room. He came back with two pieces of carton and some toilet paper. He squeezed the waste d
between the pieces of carton and pushed it over one of them; then wiped the spot with the toilet
paper and took all outside to throw it on the place where garbage was placed and later burned.

With the argument, he had completely forgot about the little dog, and when he came back to the
house, Leeny-Girl was nowhere to be seen in the living room He couldnt help but feel a bad
feeling in his stomach. The dog just arrived to the house and he had lost her, already. He called
her name, just to realize that it would be useless since she wasnt used yet to be called by her
name, given to her less than an hour ago. He started to make some sounds meant to make her
to come to him, but with no idea if it could work. On his knees, start to look underneath the
furniture, then in the kitchen. Nothing.

He started to panic, and even unwittingly, he had no choice but ask for Emmas help.

Emma, I lost the little dog while I was cleaning her waste. Please come and help me to find
her. he begged, almost supplicating.

I cant, she said. I am busy folding clothes. She will come back, dont worry, she ansered,
refusing, indifferent to his despair.

OK, thank you, anyway, he almost screamed, not caring if she would noticed his irony.

Although he didnt believe the dog would attend by her newly given name, he started to call her
by it anyway. He knew that with dogs, many times are not the words you pronounce, but the
way you say them. Confident on this, he called Leeny-Girl with the most tender and lovely tone
he could fabricate, that, given his emotional state, came out like a crying..

His search finished when Emma appeared on the bedrooms door and called his attention.

Look! she said.

He turned to her and there was Leeny-Girl, on her arms.

Oh You found her! he exclaimed, come onto her to get his puppie. Where was she?

I had two baskets with clothes. She got herself in the big one, with the big holes, you know, and
was there, laying over the clothes.

Oh thanks God, you found it! I was panicking already!

She is just a little puppy, how far can she go she stated, dismissing his worry.

He came to her signaling he was going to get her from her arms, but for his amaze she refused
to give to him.

Let her be, for a while; she looks so peaceful, she said, snugging the little dog onto her chest.

He stopped, and instead get the dog, embraced the two of them with his arms and, delicate as
he could, gave Emma a lips kiss, which she returned, to much of his surprise

It seemed that his wishes had started being fulfilled. Perhaps the dog could indeed to get luckier
than him and really to gain Emmas kindness, so rarely seen by him.

Outside, the day lazily was changing places with the night. Here inside his house, he was again
renewed in feelings. He had a dog and, not less worthy of note, his hopes were up again about
Emma.