My Dearest Fluffball.....how much i love you... and how proud i am of you.... and very grateful to the two people who complete our lives... J & B. K's dad turned 70 a few days ago and they'd planned this trip to this place i hadnt even heard of to perform a pooja and get married all over again (cute! i know!). so calls were made, talks were had and i found what i thought was the perfect place for you to stay while we would be gone for a few days. A pet homestay that an old friend has started and she like me, looks after the pets like they are people... they are allowed access to all parts of the house and play etc. So i breathed easy and planned everything, tickets were booked and we were on a roll. Until i called her to confirm dates and she said she cannot accomodate you because she was booked fully. I was stunned. I did not have a plan B and so K and I went back and forth about how we were to deal with this.... we called a few places and were not happy as most places chain the dogs up.... you start whining when chained even for a few minutes when we are around... so that was not an option.....
With the date for departure looming large, and the personal stakes being so high, opting out was not really an option... so i turned to a standing offer from my generous friends B and J who before you, would not even be in the same room as a dog, leave alone be comfortable with one. they are the ones who have fallen head over heels in love with you(who hasnt?) and pet you and pamper you when they visit... which is weekly and you were taken first to their house before we brought you home... so you get the picture? J has always said that he would care for you if we needed to travel for a few days and while its always generous to have an offer like that, i never thought i would have to cash in on it so soon.
one thing about them, they cant say no to us... and so when i asked, the response was the affirmative.... I asked them to move into our house, so that the place remains familiar and the maid can come in to make your food etc...you would be in your own home and atleast that familiarity would comfort you....we needed to be out for a week, but cut it short to two nights to make it easier on everyone else....
I talked to you for a few days telling you i would be going to office etc....preparing you and hoping you would understand what i was saying....On the day we had to leave, we took you on your walk and fed you so that you wouldnt be upset and refuse your food later, K left the house half an hour earlier like he was going to office, as he couldnt bear to see you confused... when i left the house, you had your usual "mommy is leaving" sad face, but i walked briskly and was gone.....
for the next few hours, it was tough to swallow the lump in my throat... i had no doubt that J&B would spoil you silly and care for you well....i was worried what you may feel? abandoned? confused? angry? sad? would you think we were not coming back? i resisted calling and you seemed to be doing fine... J had taken leave for two days to be with you completely. it is a debt i can never repay.... he didnt need to do that..but he did....by the evening, you were fed and walked and played with and everyone was settling when you began to bite and attack them at sleeptime...they made an sos not knowing what was happening and i said you may be hungry... once you were fed and walked, you slept....
the next day was better, you apparently stopped sulking and accepted your lot....all was well and despite not having slept the last three nights, debilating heat, over 50 namaskarams to be done while bending and kneeling and wearing a heavy kancheepuram pattu saree, i couldnt wait to tear out of bed at 3.30 a.m and get dressed to catch the 7 a.m flight back. on the way back, i would have thrown up out of anxiety....
nothing prepared me for your reception.... you did the usual i am happy to see you routine... a few licks, picked up a cushion and walked around... and then, decided you wanted to punish me for leaving you....you went and sat by J's side and refused to even come to me for more than half an hour...to say i was heartbroken would be putting it mildly.... but i allowed you your time.... you went to K and licked him and jumped at him and loved him....ignoring me all the time... looking at me with hurtful eyes...when you were done being angry you came to me, put your head in my lap and licked me....i embraced you and hugged you till i think i'd have cracked your ribs.... you sat by my side the rest of the day, slept next to me in the afternoon and wanted to be walked and petted and talked to...by the evening, everything was forgotten and you loved me just as much again... everything was happy and shiny.
you were a trooper... J and B have shown why they are who they are... and i am grateful....for them as i am for you....
love... me
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