Puppy Love

For the longest while, my children have begged me for a pet dog. I am not averse to pet dogs, but I do not have the confidence or the patience to take care of yet another living creature.

Many hints were dropped about how we could get a cat, a turtle, a guinea pig etc. Craftily, I suggested, “Why not a spider?”. After many tantrums and wars, we reached a truce. As a peace offering, for one of their birthdays, a goldfish was brought home. Some pebbles were put inside, a small plant and water of course (thank God, I remembered that).

Goldy was the unique name given to it. Every morning, before going to school, my son would wish it ‘good morning’ and feed it. As he came back from school, he fed the fish after he asked how it was. Around 5p.m. since my son went for a snack, the fish obviously also got a snack and then at dinner time, everyone feels hungry, and everyone eats. Within the next few days, the poor fish had eaten for many lifetimes and slowly lay down and went to sleep.

Amidst huge uproar and conspiracy theories as to who could have killed Goldy, my husband had the audacity to humbly ask if he could eat it now that it was no longer alive. The tears became thunderous and long speeches on insensitivity were given. The story ended with a solemn ceremony of burying the fish in a flowerpot, while I made a solemn, silent promise that there would be no pets in my house.

Many years later, the winds of change have carried me to Second Chance House in Selim Hill Tea Garden. Every now and then, some one or the other, regularly suggests that a dog will complete Second Chance House. Just as regularly, I put forward my objections and justifications. Many angles were tried…..the dog will nuzzle up to you, guard the house, let no strangers in, welcome you when you came back after a bad day…..the one that almost convinced me was that it would chase the monkeys away.

However, I am a strong believer, that Second Chance House has its own way of choosing who lives here and who does not. Amongst the many dogs from the village that visit Second Chance House, 6 weeks ago, we noticed a new face. Extremely calm and well behaved, it was an Indie Breed dog. On further enquiry, we were told that he does not belong to anyone and has come up from the plains and lives out in the wild. This is rare and I have never heard such a story. The people of the village feed it if he goes up to their door. A sweet, young girl has even put a collar on him.

Friendly as he is, he is slowly working his way into our hearts and house. Partly cat like, where he values his freedom, partly wolf like in his appearance, he seems to be adopting Second Chance House and the people who live here.

As I have my cup of Hibiscus Dorje Tea, I feel Raate (the dog’s name) nuzzle up to me. I hope our friendship lasts.

Write to me at Editor@Dorjeteas.com