“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: BEGINNING TO CONTEMPLATE MY HOME BACK IN TORONTO AND WHAT I MISSED

The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: BEGINNING TO CONTEMPLATE MY HOME BACK IN TORONTO AND WHAT I MISSED

Thoughts of my possible freedom turned my mind to what I missed back in Toronto.

It has been a little over a month since my abduction masterminded by that bitch Madame Fong. Taken from my home in Toronto and smuggled through North Bergen, New Jersey and Hong Kong ending up in Singapore. Can you imagine this experience for a puppy barely in this world to be ripped from it and plopped into Southeast Asia being “cared for” or was it “managed” by strangers.

Madame Fong stole the remainder of my puppyhood. As a puppy it was fair to say I was lost, delightfully for the most part, in my puppyhood. Now as I sit on the Eastern & Oriental Express on the rails in Malaysia I feel my puppyhood was lost or better said stolen from me.

I have been exposed to violence, murder, corruption, beauty contests, exotic foods, luxurious accommodations, threats, battles with tiger, a near fatal spider bite, new cultures and languages, politicians, dog-by-law enforcers and Viking cruise passengers with protruding stomachs.

It would seem I grew up quickly and witnessed and experienced in a few weeks what few West Highland Terriers before me and after me have or will see and experience.

Being mindful there is little sense in lamenting what could have been but rather experiencing what is, trying my best not to be judgemental. Living in the moment is what I did and hoped my destiny would change.

Don’t call me a cad but I have enjoyed my experiences with the exception of certain violent aspects of my kidnapping particularly the threats shoved across my snout in that process such as being forced to sniff for landmines in Cambodia. It was what it was.

I miss Bob and Fay. They gave me the heart and discipline to persevere. They gave me hope.

I miss the daily walks and puppy fighting with Billy and Emma. I enjoyed so much our special walks in local parks and even the car rides to get there.

I miss the disciplinary successes like potty training.

I miss chasing birds, squirrels and rabbits.

I miss my backyard and rolling in the grass.

I miss the simple treats of bagel and whole wheat bread treats. Pieces of meat. Blueberries.

I miss little children asking me if they could pat me.

I miss so many people saying I am so cute.

I miss barking, occasionally of course, like a silly puppy. I loved barking at animals on television.

I miss snoozing and listening to jazz and classical music or just snoozing when the mood presented itself.

Always I knew I would be returned home all fortified by Bobby Fong Jr.’s promise to that effect if I carried up my mission of cozying up to Sir Reginald Nicomshire.

I thought when I return home it will not be the puppydom I left but on the other hand if none of this abduction stuff happened, I would be losing my puppydom anyways.

I couldn’t believe that I was thinking perhaps this misadventure was for the better. It would make me more savvy, worldly and yes even more useful to the world in some way. Perhaps in a literary way my suffering was going to make me a stronger West Highland Terrier.

If you have read “Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog” the exploits of dogs there were extraordinary and with my knowledge on how they survived and thrived on adversities made me realize we dogs can dig deep down and surprise not only ourselves but humanity.