Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I found a stray Chihuaha when I was living on Jeju in 2008. It was the end of January and she was standing outside the back of a galbi restaurant, shaking in the cold. She was skin and bones and dirty and looked pitiful. I took her home with me, intending to find a permanent home for her within a few days. That changed when she became instantly attached to me in the way her breed does and I fell in love with her. She was so sweet and loving and grateful for a warm place to sleep. I named her Molly and ended up bringing her all the way home to the US with me.

When I decided to come back to Korea, the most difficult part was leaving Molly behind. I knew the plane ride was hell for her and I would be at work all the time, leaving her alone. She absolutely loved my parents so I left her with them. She was especially attached to my dad. She adored him and became his constant companion. She sat with him all the time and he would take her for rides in the car, which she loved to do.

Today, I talked to my mom and she told me that they had taken Molly for a ride in the car and when they got home, she ran out into the street instead of straight for the front door like she always did. She was hit by a car and was killed. My dad was crying so hard he couldn't talk to me for the first few minutes. He is absolutely heartbroken. My mom told me that they have both been crying all day. I am devastated, too. I miss her terribly and was so looking forward to having her run up to me in excitement when I got home the way she always did and have her sit in my lap again. Now I will never see her again and I am heartbroken. I also feel terrible because I knew she occasionally ran off like that and had no awareness or fear of cars. I guess I let my guard down because I thought she had learned to obey and stay close. I let her outside without a leash all the time, including when I would take her to my parents' house. She always, without fail, ran straight to the front door and scratched at it in excitement, waiting to be let in. Now I feel like if I had just told them to keep her on a leash, just in case, that she would still be alive and I could have spared my parents all this. I know hindsight is 20/20, but I am heartbroken and I feel like the lowest scum right now.

[Skipperoo]

Sorry to hear that losing a pet is the most heart-breaking thing.

[IamBabo]

Sorry to hear that...

[calicoe]

[Radius]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[raewon]

I'm truly sorry to hear about Molly. Take heart in the fact that had it not been for you, she may never have found herself in the arms of a loving family. Try not to beat yourself up over what has happened. I have lost a pet before in a situation where hindsight certainly would have prevented the ordeal. I can only hope that someone like yourself found him and that he's still out there somewhere... and happy.

Thank you for caring so much about animals... and take care.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I'm sorry for your loss. Pets are amazing. I lost one of mine this week, so send a PM if you want to meet for a drink in their memory.

<<hugs>>

[comm]

You definitely gave Molly a much longer and happier life than she'd have had in Korea.

[Died By Bear]

At first I thought the dog just died, but then I actually read the post and realized she was hit by a car. That's what happened to my first dog, a very loyal, smart, wonderful soul that I still tear up about every time I have the memory replay in my head. It was seven years ago and he would have been nine years old this march. It was all my fault and I could have prevented it. Huge lesson.

It's a very painful experience, and I really understand how your dad feels right now. Losing a pet to a car accident is traumatic. I hope your dad goes right out and gets another puppy within the week.

[chellovek]

Will pour a 40 on the curb to remember Molly by. This one's for you, homie.

[sallymonster]

I'm really sorry for the loss of your dog. My dog, my best and most loyal friend, died 8 months ago, a week after I came to Korea, and I'm still sad about it. It will be really hard, for each of us, to go home and not see our beloved pets.

[pangaea]

Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts. I truly appreciate them.

Radius, thank you for posting the poem. It is beautiful. One of the things I will miss the most about Molly is her joyful and enthusiastic greeting. For a dog who was almost certainly abused, then abandoned on the street in winter, she was amazingly full of unconditional love.

As for my parents getting another dog, I don't think that will happen soon, but I hope it will when the time is right. There will never be another Molly, but I hope that one day both my parents and I find another pet that brings us the same kind of comfort, happiness, and unconditional love that Molly did. I truly believe that the best pets just "find" us. Those are the strays, the ones that are unexpectedly given to us, or the ones with special needs that no one else seems to want. I will miss Molly terribly, but maybe one day we really will be reunited.

[Jane]

Pangea, I'm so sorry to hear about Molly. Pets aren' really pets, are they: they are family.

Your story brought up memories of my poodle, April, who died in 2001 from old age. I'm still sore about it. She died peacefully at my parent's house, and is buried under a maple tree in the backyard. My father was heartbroken and refused to get another dog. It wasn't until a year and half later my mother and sister secretly adopted another poodle from the SPCA and surprised my dad at home.

I don't think a pet can replace another pet, but new pets can bring new joy and happiness nonetheless. I'm sure you would agree it was better to have had Molly, even for a short time, than to never have met her.

Having strong feelings about losing her reminds us that we are human with feelings, and that we have the capacity to feel love and kinship for another creature in this world. And that is beautiful.

[Koreadays]

I have been a pet owner all my life, my mother was a pet owner so since I was a baby we have shared our life with pets.
Pets to me are like Family. when ever someone tells me "hey thats a dog, hey don't treat your cat like a human, hey come on man that's an animal.
I say. "NO, this pet is my family. my brother, my sister, my best friend, my children. I treat them more than just a pet or an animal. too me they are family"

I am sorry for your loss, as we have cried many tears for our lost friends.
It's sad Molly had to go out that way, we too have had a couple pets over the years being hit by a car. it's devastating.
I just hope she died instantly and was not suffering in pain.
put up a picture of her, have her cremated or bury her in the yard and remember her. death comes to us all. Cherish the memories and don't beat yourself up to much.

I currently own two dogs here in Korea. and I walk them everyday and I too let them out of the front gate to run to my car in the parking lot and have many times had to shout at them for approaching cars. either though my parking lot is not busy a couple times I have been scared.
they truly are fearless and of course every pet owners worst nightmare is they go under a car.
I usually carry them to the car and back from the car. but of course not all the time. and it's just that one time when you least expect it is the moment the nightmare happens.
same with Children, turn your back and then they are found floating in the pool or the worst kidnapped etc...

but what you did for molly was an amazing thing and I applaud you and salute you for your kindness and generosity.
you took a helpless little dog which nobody else wanted and gave her a home and love, even covered an expense to fly her home. many people wouldn't do that. you truly are a wonderful person and I am sure the short years you had with Molly were her best years of her life and she loved you guys..
RIP little Molly...
do you have a picture we can see?

[Plume D'ella Plumeria]

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Believe me, I feel your pain, as a total dog lover. My own dog, Plume (her name and my user name are not a coincidence) lies curled up in sleep on my bed. She's nearly six years old and I sometimes think sadly about how dogs live all too short lives. More often than not, we have to say goodbye to them before we are ready (not that we ever are), whether it be from accident, premature illness or simply, old age. However it happens, it's heartbreaking.

My Plume is the best as I have no doubt that your Molly was. Plume, like Molly, was a rescue (in Plume's case, abandoned on the streets of Beijing). I would encourage you to rescue once more if such a need arises again.

You also might want to have a look at a dog forum called "Puppy and Dog Forums" (USA based). It has a lot of good information and support for those like you who have lost dogs for whatever reason. Among many other helpful bits for dog lovers.

Anyway, all the best and just know that Molly is frolicking at the Rainbow Bridge and looking out for you.