I Found Love in the Philippines
It’s not what you think — a true love story
Let’s be honest, I wasn’t a “dog person.” They drooled, shed, and always seemed determined to lick your face at the most inopportune moments. So, when my neighbor said her dog Queenie had puppies, I wasn’t that excited. But I went to see them anyway. I braced myself for the usual canine annoyances. Little did I know, one of those 5 puppies would waltz right into my heart and leave paw prints all over my skepticism and my newly washed shorts.
He was barely the size of a teacup when I first saw him, a whirlwind of white fur and a black nose. Chasing dried leaves with the enthusiasm of a caffeinated hummingbird. To my surprise, instead of the expected annoyance, I felt a chuckle bubble up. There was something undeniably cute and charming about this little puppy. My neighbor let me name him, so I called him Duke. After all, his mom’s name is Queenie, so I thought let’s keep royalty in the family.
Days turned into weeks, and our encounters became a routine.
He’d appear at the fence, his big eyes begging for attention, and I, against my better judgement, found myself drawn in. We’d share stolen moments as he slept on my lap. He was a sweet little guy with kind eyes.
