I was reading, and overheard the next door neighbour Mama Bear, talking very loudly on her phone. Something about her dog Dodo vomitting since morning, being weak, and is dying. She asked Papa Bear to come home, Papa Bear said just stop feeding the dog. She wanted to bring the dog to the vet, but she had only a few hundred dollars. She wanted her son Ming Bear to come home to take the dog to the vet, but the guy just said let the dog die. The younger son Xiao Bear is in NS, and he is the one closest to Dodo. I don't really know the family well, but I do know the dog, because she always sits at the door. Sometimes I fed her treats, when she cried too loudly. I did offer to bring the dog for walks for a few times, but the Bears declined. As long as I remember, Dodo had never stepped outside once. Her mother died 6 years ago, after ingesting some household cleaners. Dodo howled for months.

Anyway, Mama Bear sounded worried, so I decided to offer my help. I told her I overheard her phone conversation, and if she didn't mind, I could bring Dodo to my vet at Sembawang, which is closer than Dodo's vet at Stevens Road. It was raining heavily at that time too, so Sembawang was a better option. I was on leave anyway. And she could pay me back later. She said she wanted to wait for her relatives who stay in the same area, who may have a car. I told her we should go tonight, as Dodo was obviously very ill. She started to call Ming Bear to transfer money to her account, but Ming Bear refused, so they started to quarrel. I told her I would come back at 6pm, when the vet reopened, and we could help Dodo as soon as possible. She also told me Dodo's father passed away just last Saturday. Poor Dodo, maybe she was depressed!

I got the cage and everything ready. Just before 6pm, Mama Bear came and asked me for the vet details. She said she would bring Dodo herself. The rain had stopped anyway. I offered to go with her and lend her the cage, she said she could wrap Dodo in a towel. I thought it was better that way, since she is the owner, and knows Dodo's medical history. I heard her leaving the house at 6.10pm.

I hope the vet can help Dodo. I doubt she will die just after one day of vomitting, but any delay will be dangerous!

Sometimes, I wonder why people keep pets.