A dog it is!

I haven’t blogged in over a year. One year and two months to be precise! Simply ran out of interesting topics, not that the world has been without interesting events. And also got insanely busy. Social life took off like a Concorde and had to actually scale it off. I am now learning to choose my poison.

 

Nov 18, 2012 I had gloated in a blog how I had bull dozed all efforts by my husband to get a dog. October 18, 2013, our puppy flew all the way from Kansas straight into our hearts.

The two arguments are now a way of life for me:

• The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.
• You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, “My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!” – Dave Barry

I admit I was apprehensive of this really new and major change in my life. While my husband was getting her from the airport, I wanted to run away to avoid meeting her. However, whoever said “A man hasn’t known love if he hasn’t known the love of an animal”, was right. I fell in love. Head over heels!

 

After my daughter this is the second time, I have felt blessed by a miracle. This bundle of joy forces me to get out of the house and have long walks, EVERYDAY, Multiple times. She has also forced me to calm down, remain cool and be assertive in the nicest way possible. She has taken over my schedule being a puppy and an energetic one at that. And I don’t mind it one bit. She has just sooo much of love in her. Her eyes are a window to the sweetest soul in the world. How can anyone not love her?

 

 So much better to spend time loving a dog than to spend time burning with skanks. So much positivity in her! Beyond the obvious physical benefits, she teaches a lesson more profound. To live and love in the present. She doesn’t remembers bad events beyond 20 seconds but remembers to take note and be cautious forever. She  has her life sorted out. To eat, play, sleep and love. And of course be naughty!

 

Right now, she gains immense pleasure if she can sneak out a sock from the closet and tear holes into them, or jump onto the sofa and sit regally like a queen! And its funny to see her barking at her own reflection on the glass. Small things but immensely happy things!

 

And for Toffee the song dedicated is – “Jaane kyu dil jaanta hai, tu hai to I’ll be alright! “

 

I have suggested several people who profess themselves lonely to get a dog. The smart ones do!

Its a dawg's world....

The surest way a child can ensure that he/she gets a puppy is to ask for a little brother/sister. My daughter has somehow learnt this from someone who needs to go into hiding. :/

 

My family is a small one. I do feel the need of a having a slightly larger family and did consider having siblings for my daughter. God and husband unwilling, learnt to be happy with a tiny family, making my daughter the apple of my weak eyes.

 

However, the new pressure is now to get a pet. It started about 5 years back when we were in India, and my daughter was just 2 plus. Lets get a puppy…pleeeeeassse…..

 

Luckily we stayed in an apartment and I misused an article which basically stated keeping a big dog in a small apartment amounts to animal cruelty. I soooo agree, and have happily given up my dream of living in my own sweet cottage.

 

Luckily also we moved to a different country so the argument of having to deal with broken hearts and ties, won battles.

 

However, we landed in Dog’s own country. The US of A. Here many dogs have better lives than most humans in India. And so started the chant we want a pet. Any pet. Our apartment managers allowed only cats. As we all know, Dogs have owners, cats have staff…Saved by the skin of my teeth.

 

Instead we happily got fish. Of course my husband always believes in more is more. So he got 4. Truth be told, I grew attached to them most. Talking to them, watching them spin their magic, concerned for their well-being in extreme weather. Until we moved.

 

Happily we managed to find a great home for our pets. My sister from across the seven seas, and her cute little boys now look after Goldie, Pepperoni, Ray and Goldilocks.

 

Down south, the houses are huge but the apartments are small. Although we are allowed to keep dogs at an exorbitant fee of $400, the apartment is too small to keep anything bigger than a Pomeranian. So the options are all the tiny yappy ones, which I hate.

 

If I am asked, I like the big stately dogs, who walk around commanding respect and dignity. My favorite is the Golden Shepherd. Can do with Golden Retriever and the brown Labrador. For a dog of that size we need a house and that is still a few years away.

 

My main problem is I am petrified of anything that moves and can jump. (including some so-called humans). I can not bring myself to touch them, so imagine having a pesky dog! I’d try to climb the highest furniture but unfortunately a dog can jump too. And will too, thinking its a fun game.

 

My friends have in the past tried to make me get over my crippling fear. I have petted under safe observance. But the sensory organs go dead the moment my hand reaches out to pet. And heaven help me if the dog tries to lick me or even come close to take a sniff. I had be out of the house in a heart beat. Since I do need a roof and my family needs to feel complete, I will have to get over this fear.

Also arguments have won me over. Like:

• The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.
• You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, “My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!” – Dave Barry

While friends say its a lot of work, its so much easier than getting pregnant. (I know I’ll be crucified by the Madre Brigade, but having only recently regained my life and watching countless friends wrung like a wet towel running behind kids, I am sold). I can also feel  their unconditional love vs. the cold disdain of cats. And love dahhlings I will take. In whatever form.

 

What should I do? Animal shrink? Oh that had be for the animal. so just a shrink then?

My first pet :))

I am smiling like a toothless turtle sipping cold tea...

I have a new pet..My first ever in fact. A Goldfish...

My daughter named him Goldie..Its a "he" because "he" makes his home very dirty, very fast. But since I am not the one who cleans up after him, I am smiling...

I have to admit, it feels like we have brought our second child home. He is just as demanding. The water needs to be clean and cool, the food has to be just enough. I cant overfeed him else he will get a tummy upset..(Jesus! who knew fishes also had tummy upsets).

It is therapeutic to watch him though..He scoots around the bowl, all the time grazing for food. I found myself talking to him and calling him 'beta' (son in hindi). The first night I switched off the lights, I actually switched it on again thinking he might be scared of the dark and the new place. So I talked to him to go off to sleep and not to be scared :)

My neighbour looked at me as if I was nuts when I told him I was talking to my fish. But I love having these conversations with him. Goldie is always there, no matter what the time is. My human family goes off to sleep while I read, or surf or watch TV. But Goldie gives me company..My daughter has even come up with a new dance step to imitate him. To be fair to him, we are planning to get him a friend. Soon.

Will keep you guys posted on my evolving emotions and Goldie's antics...