Our Dog Bambi, Our Hero

Bambi our mixed-breed female dog has been with us for more than 10 years. She was given to us by our cousin during her adolescent years and we have loved and cared for her ever since. This is a story of how she saved us especially @darthnava during our city's great flood.

It was a fateful night when the Great Flood brought about by Typhoon Sendong ravaged our city last December 17, 2011.

It was constantly raining for several days and we were anticipating for the rain to subside. It wasn't until the weather station announced that there is a tropical storm approaching our area. I got home from the office late for we were preparing for a big activity the next day. We already received reports that the river water is rising near the base of the bridge brought about by the heavy rains from the mountains.

For us, it was a usual stormy night, and it wasn't alarming because we usually experience heavy rains several times a year so we went with our usual routine at night without any preparation at all. We experienced flooding at our old house but it was just ankle deep, we thought it was easy to clean. We were complacent.

I was sleeping safe and sound at 11:00 pm in my room at the 2nd floor of the house when I noticed hearing sirens but never bothered to check because I know we were far away from the river. A while later nearing 12:00 am, I heard our dog, Bambi barking beside my bed. She was barking constantly. She was going up and down the stairs and nudging me to check the situation downstairs. She was frantic.

When I finally got up because I was annoyed by her constant barking and nudging, I then saw the extent of the flood inside our house. It was already knee-deep and I saw my brother @darthnava still sleeping on our couch in the living area. He was unaware that the flood was slowly rising and nearing almost an inch closer to the cushion seat where my brother was lying down. The water might drown him due to his limited movements or he may be injured if we weren't warned right away. I immediately woke my brother up and told him to get ready to move upstairs. The problem was my mother, @darthnava and I were the only ones left in our house. My younger brother and my father were on travel for work so my mother and I carried him on the 2nd floor upstairs ourselves. It was difficult but we were able to manage. We were glad that my brother was safe and all other pets as well as our dog. Bambi was wagging her tail when she knew @darthnava was already in the 2nd floor.

The flood subsided several hours but we had a hard time cleaning up because of the thick mud in the house. We received reports that a lot people died during that time. Heavy rains made the river water rise more than the normal, the city was devastated, it was the first time that we experienced that kind of heavy flooding.

We are grateful for our mongrel Bambi for being alert and all her warnings. She is the type who doesn't often bark at people or other animals and until now we are still amazed by her guard skills especially towards my son. She usually stays outside whenever he plays with the neighbors and goes in and sleeps outside our bedroom door. She is our trusted and dependable guard-dog.

It would be difficult for us to find another dog like Bambi if the time comes when she is no longer with us. Never have we experienced a dog so dedicated to her masters that she would do what it takes to warn us whenever there is danger. I will always appreciate and honor her as one of the best dogs we had.

Writing this article is a way for me to appreciate all pets especially dogs who have been a great help and joy to their masters as well as celebrating the year of the dog.

Bambi this is our thanks to you, we love you always.