When Rex met Mimi (at the cemetery)

Mimi together fur-ever with her "chosen" one. (Photo from Rex Rodriguez)

By ALMA J. BUELVA
​
SOME love stories begin on a slightly sad note, with two unlikely characters meeting at the strangest place, like a cemetery. Such is the love story of Rex and Mimi, a guy and a dog who met sometime in Sept. 2017 when the former visited his father's grave.

​Rex said a scraggly and mangy dog who looked like she recently gave birth approached his parked car, and because he is a dog lover he patted her head.

"Nagsimula po ang lahat nang bumisita ako sa kakamatay ko lang na ama sa sementeryo (last year 2017). Biglang may lumapit sa akin na aso. Medyo payat po siya at puno ng galis ang katawan. At sa tingin ko bagong panganak lamang siya. At dahil mahilig nga tayo sa aso hinimas himas ko ang ulo niya. Malambing po siya na aso. (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez.)

Rex, whose full name is Rex Aris Tan Rodriguez, said he was already at his father's plot when he realized that the dog had followed him and seemed to be waiting for him. Rex felt bad for her.

"Paglingon ko nandoon lang siya. Isip ko baka humihingi lang ng makakain. Pero sa araw na yun wala akong dalang pagkain...Doon nakita ko ang aso parang hinihintay ako. Akala ko nga umalis na siya. Doon na ako nakaramdam ng awa sa kanya." (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez)

Afterwards, Rex said the dog followed him again in his car and even leaned inside as if pleading to take her with him.

"Pagkasakay ko talaga sa kotse lumapit na naman ang aso at pumatong pa ang loko. Feeling close agad siya. Advance yata mag isip. (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez)

Sensing that she wanted more than just food, Rex regrettably had to turn her down and proceeded to close his car door. Only at that point did the brown dog sadly move away.

"Sabi ko sa kanya "hindi ka pwedeng sumama kasi may lakad pa ako at baka hanapin ka ng mga tuta mo." Maawa ka talaga sa hitsura niya. Parang gusto talagang sumama. (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez)

But not after making a last-ditch effort to try to kiss Rex to hopefully change his mind.

"Kung makapagsalita pa siguro, sabihin niya na "Sige na sama mo ako, kiss kita." (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez)

As he drove away, Rex saw in his rear-view mirror the dog running after him. He said that when he drove faster, the dog also ran faster but stopped when his car was near the exit. At that point, Rex also stopped his car to think and pray.

“Lord, babalikan ko siya. At kung sa pagbalik ko andoon pa rin siya sa puntod ng Papa ko, isasama ko na siya. Maniwala kayo o sa hindi nandoon talaga ang loko. (Caption/Photo by Rex Rodriguez)

Rex learned from those around the cemetery that the dog was indeed a stray and that some people already took away her puppies. As promised, Rex decided to take the dog with him and made it ride in the front seat. However, the cheeky dog who just scored a major victory and would soon be named “Mimi” preferred to stay at the back seat and be driven around like a prima donna. 😅

"Ginawa pa akong driver. Nag emote emote pa ang bruha," Rex said of his new dog Mimi.

​On their way home, Rex first brought Mimi to an animal clinic for some vaccines. The veterinarian on duty was the first to hear about Rex and Mimi's “love story” and was so moved that they were given a free bag of dog food.

After more than a year, here is Mimi now!
​Looking good, Mimi! 😅

“Ito na siya ngayon, ang kinis kinis na at ang landi landi pa. May pa "kilay kilay is life" pang nalalaman ang bruha. (Caption/photo by Rex Rodriguez)

Although Rex doens't know how old Mimi might be, her new lifestyle can be summed up best  in four words: eat, sleep, play and bark.

"She barks at night for no reason, Rex told MetroPets.

​Who knows, it could be something Mimi used to do at the cemetery at night when it's all dark and quiet?

Mimi showing off her complete beauty makeover. (Photo by Rex Rodriguez)

Overall, ​Rex said Mimi is doing fine and enjoying life in their house in Davao with seven other pet dogs. 

Mimi and friends. STEP 1: Make him bring you home. STEP 2: Make him let you INSIDE his home. (Photo by Rex Rodriguez)

​“Aspins like Mimi are very loyal and loving dogs. Mimi is friendly, playful and has no problem getting along with other dogs. Only, she doesn't like taking a bath, but she has no choice,” said Rex.

Rex and Mimi, inseparable now.

Mimi is Rex's first rescued dog and he is open to the idea of helping other homeless dogs in the future. 

“I hope our story becomes an inspiration. Siguro kung bawat isa sa atin makasagip kahit isa o dalawang napabayaan or abandonadong aso, siguro kahit papaano mababawasan sila,” he said, adding that his late father was a dog lover, too, and probably had a role in the Rex and Mimi love story.

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