Dog talk

I don’t think it will be a lie to say that I grew up with dogs. We as a family never really brought home a dog, but we gave shelter to many. I was notorious for picking up puppies from all corners of the colony and bring them home, begging ma to give those ‘poor puppies’ a home. One such pup that our milkman- Krishnappa brought home,  remained with us. Ma miraculously agreed to keep him and I like every other person in those days did, named him ‘Tommy’.

Tommy was the son of a mongrel. No lineage so to speak of. But he had the cutest tail , brownest eyes and very loyal. He walked me to school, and arrived bang on time to walk me back home too. He sat by me in the evenings, brought back my lost pair of chappal, allowed us to ride him like a horse,  and destroyed ma’s vegetable garden with the vivacity of a  mad dog.

He loved dad and me the most. He did have to bear the brunt of ma’s wrath for all the  backyard destruction, but he never left us. When dad got back from work, he gave him a guided tour of our backyard, leading dad, mum and me from plant to plant, tree to tree checking if the fruits and vegetables were ready to be plucked.  The colony I grew up in was also a very dog-friendly place. A lot of people we knew, had dogs. I still remember the names of many – Bamby, Snowy, Suzie, sandy, Rex :-).  The idiom ‘Once bitten twice shy’ doesn’t mean much to me. When I was about 10 years old ‘Bruce’, my aunt’s Doberman, got a little irked with me, and gave me a little ‘identification mark’ for life on my cheek bone. That didn’t scare me a wee bit.

And when we went to Kolkata for summers, we had ‘Tipu’ (he was named after my brother and me :D) to play with at our grandparent’s place. He was a strange mango-loving dog. My brother and I adored him. Tipu’s ancestors- 3 generations before him, were brought up my my dad's family. Apparently Tipu’s mother Neeta loved listening to the Tabla that my youngest paternal uncle played and was quite a temperamental bitch. There was ‘Patchie’ too. But I know very little of her.

After I got married, my husband and I, both wished to bring home a pup someday. But that someday arrived a tad too soon and like God-sent wish that was express-delivered, a friend called us to ask if we’d be interested in adopting a lab pup, all of one month. We agreed  without thinking much and brought ‘Coffee’ home. But we were young, restless and inexperienced. We weren’t ready for him. I wasn’t ready to handle the hunger tantrums every few hours. Coffee was just like a baby. I freaked out. We didn’t have the support of family either. My in-laws are not fond of dogs and my dad was not willing to take over the responsibility of bringing a dog home. Ma, I knew wanted to keep Coffee, but didn’t have dad’s support. So finally we gave him back to the owner. After that what followed was a miserable one month. I haven’t forgiven myself for what I did. And I know my only redemption will be by bringing home a Lab again.

Watching Marley and Me (for the second time) brought back memories of all the canines that gave me company in my childhood. Apparently Coffee is a lot like Marley. A complete rogue. :-)

I think every childhood must have a dog in it. Why just childhood, every person must share his life with a dog. Never mind what the pedigree, he/she will be your friend for life . In Australia when you register your pet’s name you also give your family name to it :-). I think its the cutest gesture – it’s your family after all. 

I love the last few words of the film-

A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb.
Give 'em your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about?
How many people can make you feel rare, pure and special?
How many people can make you feel extraordinary?