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Sky is just the start, not the limit


You aren't exactly excited about it. I have no way to tell if you are secretly dreading or looking forward to it. You say you don't want her home but your face does a lot of lighting up when you see her picture, so fingers crossed, There is hope!

You were the one to pick the name- Sky- based on the Paw Patrol character that you are fond of. I wanted to name him / her (again, your choice of strengthening the female majority at home) as Pishtu on Pishti. That's partly because of our shared predilection for pistaccio. We've had sessions of cracking and crunching through bowl full of the green nuts in minutes. Also because it makes sense to have a desi (Indian) sounding name (pishta is the hindi name for pistaccio) for a pet in UK, just like it somehow made sense to have a christian name for pets in India.

We've visited Sky thrice so far but you've barely met her twice. The first time might have caused the problem. We were greeted in a boisterous, clamorous, uproarious and all-manner-of-similar-adverb-ourous manner by a motley group of sky's relatives - her elder siblings and dad. I can only imagine your shock at being almost attacked by barking, leaping excited dogs when all you were promised was a cute & cuddly pup.
No wonder then you wept and wailed and were on your way out- ready to walk all the way back home- all 23 miles of it! We came back a few days later - to forge a friendlier start for the two of you. On our request sky's siblings weren't allowed to come out this time but you could still hear them. What sounded like whining and complaining of disgruntled playful puppies to my pet trained ears, must have sounded like threatening grounds of vicious animals to your instincts. You were visibly upset again, back to being scared of being present there.

We met sky (and her sisters) but it didn't help. The magic of her cuteness, the softness of her touch weren't enough for you to brave-up and savour the meeting. The third time we went, we didn't force you to meet sky. Like a seasoned politician you displayed a restrained reaction when we come back with her pictures and the date of her impending move with us - 18th May 2017 ( she'll be 8 weeks on 15th may, being born on 21st March)
Dear daughter,

My way to Sky was also lined by quite a few other dogs - Julie, Kenny, Chinky, Annie, Eddie and a few others. My association with dogs goes beyond the first frame of my memories. I've grown up with them and feel lucky to have done so. To have been in the company of these blessed creatures and people who appreciated them has definitely shaped me my character. What you get in a pet, especially dogs, is an unwavering body of support and strength- with a set of caring eyes and an encouraging wagging tail. You get a quite friend that you could hug, cry your heart out to and seek solace - without fear of being judged. Their love doesn't demand reciprocation - it just inculcates warmth out of you.
Like anything else in life, pets come with their share of responsibilities, heart aches and lessons for life. I hope it wouldn't be long now before you open your arms and heart for the sky-full of this expe­rience to enrich your life.


PS : my earlier take on my dogs http://ranjanx.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/ranzish-hi-sahi.htmlhere, if the links still work when you get around to this one.

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