I remember stroking her head and cuddling Candy on a Sunday before I went home. Somehow, that usual gesture felt strangely odd that day when she came to me. However, I couldn't put a finger to it. It didn't occur to me that that was the last time I would ever touch and see her again.

Candy fell terribly ill on 13 February afternoon. She was diagnosed to have inflamed pancreas and there was nothing very much the vet could do to save her. She was put under observation for 4 days, but her condition didn't improve at all. The vet decided that it was pointless keeping her in the clinic, and advised us to take her home so that she would cheer up and perhaps, get better. I wanted to visit her at the clinic, but mum wouldn't allow me because of her flawed logic that pregnant women should stay away clinics/hospitals as far as possible.

I couldn't go back to my mum's to visit her at home that week either. I could only call to check on her condition. Mum said Candy seemed to be better as she had started drinking and eating again. I thought Candy was on the road to recovery and I would see her at the door greeting me the following Sunday. However, that was only my wishful thinking on my part.

Last Friday, 18 February, I called home after lessons to check on Candy. There was dead silence at the end of the line when I asked mum about her. Then her voice broke and I knew that the most dreadful had happened. The only consolation was that Candy had apparently died peacefully in her sleep.

I was upset that mum kept the news from me. If I hadn't called, mum wouldn't have told me about her passing on. I could at least have rushed home to say goodbye to her. But it was all too late. The vet had everything settled by the time I got to know about the news.

Though some may find Candy really spoilt and ill-behaved, having her is a real joy. To my parents, she was the most faithful companion. To my brother, she was the cutest soft toy on earth. To me, she was a great friend who would snuggle up to me whenever I was down. Indeed, she had brought tremendous joy to my family for the past 10 years.

Actually, I should be glad that the illness took Candy away swiftly and she didn't have to put up with the pain for too long. Nevertheless, it is still very painful to lose her. The only comfort that we could console ourselves with is that she had a good life with us. We had given nothing but the best to her for the past 10 years. I hope she felt our love for her too. We have decided not to have another dog ever again because the pain of losing one is just too much to bear.

Farewell Candy, you are greatly missed…