A tribute to Wela: May you run free and get belly rubs

I don't even know how to start. I didn't really want to write this yet I need to put down words to relay my sadness.

Lately I have been volunteering to walk dogs for an organization that rescues and foster dogs called Ampon Alaga (Adopt Pets)

It's a great way to put a number of steps in the morning as well as help get the dogs some exercise and a change of environment.

Since Monday I have been walking Wela. She was rescued in Taal and was living in one of the centers there before being transferred to Makati.
She was already a senior and since haven't been here long was not that familiar with the other dogs.
I was told to try to keep her away from the more rowdier dogs and she seems to agree as she often goes by the side and content at being on her own.

Today I didn't have work and so I could spend more time walking with them. Usually I can only do the earliest and we had 15 dogs. We would usually have 3-4 volunteers per batch and would often have 3 batches.
I had to leave early yesterday because was going to the office but we had a great walk as she was able to keep up with most of the dogs although we were at the tail end. I bid her goodbye after giving her a belly rub.
So the first two batches we had was the early risers, then the puppies and lastly it would often be the dogs that need more attention.
So I asked where Wela was and was informed that she died yesterday. She was fine but late afternoon her blood pressure started falling and while the vets tried everything that they could, she gave one last cuddle to her handler and passed away.

I didn't know how to react because she seemed okay when we left her. It was a combination of surprise and sadness.

It could just be me projecting but I was feeling like her the past few days. I feel alienated, unsure of my environment and having trouble fitting in. So losing her like this was a shock to me even though we haven't really spent a lot of times together.

I'm just reminded of mortality. Valar Morghulis.

Here are the other dogs. Lesley, the very first one in the picture, will be going to a foster home who will take care of her for 3 months. Always the hope is to convert those that foster to adopters but any help is appreciated.

We also have Vanilla, Jack and Joker in the shot.

Here they are just resting after walking with the rest of the rescue dogs in a dog park near the shelter there are being housed.

We have batch 2, the puppies! We had Pepper, Chestnut, Tawny and the full of energy Kamote!

All doggos are good doggos.