Of being with another creature

One thing that I always prided myself in, was the fact that you were socially well adjusted. Yes you do act like we've returned from war when anyone walks through the door, but after you greet people, you settle down to just being deliriously happy that there are folks at home. 

In the middle of January, we got to know that Snicker, your same aged dachshund friend was going be left in a kennel for a week because his family was travelling and could not take him along. He was left for a month at the kennel in the past, came back with skin issues, vomitting and became very aggressive and snappy. I told Ranju, his mom, that I would keep him and that they could go without a bother. 

You and Snicker have been playing since you were babies. He only has one friend, you can play with any man or beast. I've always prided myself in that. I knew that it would not be a problem to have you sharing your space and stuff with anyone. 

When Snicker arrived, with his bowls, ball and beanbag, you were delirious for the first few hours... could not believe your eyes that you had a playmate. 

Snicker being a hound has such a contrasting temperament than yours. Also he was out of his comfort zone. So he was distrusting of everyone but me and clung to me for dear life. If I sat with my coffee or the newspaper in the balcony, Snicker would jump up and snuggle like a roll pillow behind me, nestled between my back and the chair. If I sat on the sofa, he draped himself like a neck pillow. When I went to bed, he burrowed himself between my legs, or under my arm. It was like being attached to another living thing 24/7. 

you were amused at first, tried to pry him out and play with him. The first few days, Snicker was not interested in anyone but me. It left you disappointed. 

The more Snicker clung to me, the more possessive of me you got. trying to climb into my lap, eat from his bowl and contrary to your nature which is never to sleep on the bed with us, you began to wedge yourself between me and K with a vengeance. 

within 48 hours, poor Snicker had reconciled himself to his new surroundings. He then went back to being in love with you. Following you everywhere and crying like a battered dog when seperated even for a few minutes from you. Till then, I was walking you both seperately because you love your long wandering walks, he wants to get back to the house as soon as he is done peeing. It meant double work for me, but I was ok doing what was best for the both of you. you loved your walks and I didn't want to deny you our alone time. unable to take the bawling anymore, I began walking both of you together. Gangaram would hold you and I would have Snicker's leash. Dramatically, you began to refuse to budge if anyone other than me had your leash. Even tried to pry Snicker's leash out of my hands a couple of times. That was the first sign that you were missing your single dog status and were firmly not happy sharing affections with another dog. 

by the 5th day, you were royally ignoring all of Snicker's advances, bullying him each time he picked up your toy or bone, sitting on your toys to prevent him from taking your stuff, eating his food before he was done, and prying him out of my lap. when you had flashes of affection, you would lick him or play a bit with him. But it had to be on your time and whim. you never obliged when Snicker wanted to play with you. 

Pooja came to stay for a couple of days and she gave you her undivided attention, which you loved. You didnt want me to feed you or pet you. Like i was the traitor, you had all your love and attention reserved for Pooja. It was fine with me as it gave me a breather too!

We took the both of you to Amma and Appa's house for lunch one day. You were delirious to see all 'your' people! in the car, Snicker would not leave your side and wanted to stand alongside you. 

When Snicker was finally taken back by his family, you didn't even want to say bye. The next few days, it was back to clinging to me! Life was back to its usual balance. 

I am happy that you shared your space and love with as much grace as you could. you did try to get into my lap, take back your toys from Snicker, but that was the extent of what you would show your discomfort. not once did you snap or attack him. You just quietened down. 

I know you love being the center of everyone's universe. but you are also willing to share and co-exist. 

everyone loves you... this experience elevated your status just a bit more.

Friends...

Fluffball baby, i have been too lazy the whole of last month and i didnt write anything here.... everything is status quo and so there is nothing much to report.... that's a nice thing actually....

oh wait... you wake me up at 5.15 a.m on the dot these days. i tried putting up a navy blue bedsheet to block out the morning light to con you. but your body clock is pretty much accurate and now that its summer, you have decided that 6.30 is too late and drag me out of bed at 5 freaking 15 a.m. I do not know if i can ever get over how less i am sleeping or how early i am awake these days... its almost 10 months since we got you, and this is still my number one topic to crow about! 

if i dont wake up at the appointed hour, you have resorted to sitting besides me on the bed and looking at your(gorgeous) self in the mirror on the wall to the right of me, and barking really loudly till i give up and get out of bed!

you have three sets of friends now... 

Shadow - the paavum male stray dog that loves you and wants to play with you. i called him shadow because of the way he would follow you

Petal - the beautiful doe eyed female stray that lives on the construction site that loves you, but bullies you and you allow her

Two face and Caramel - the two female strays and their mother that live near the gym two streets away and play with you each morning. 

they've each attacked each other in jealousy when their territories overlap. Petal, Two Face and Caramel sometimes escort you back home. they sometimes enter the building and it breaks my heart to send them away. 

K is very upset and has asked me umpteen times to stop the "swami and friends" routine as on the few times he has to take you on your walks, he cannot handle the strays you want to play with. Also when we go together, he gets impatient and angry sometimes. 

I dont have the heart to stop this. For one, allowing you to play with other dogs has helped make you more friendly than you could ever be. you arent disturbed, intimidated or otherwise upset about the presence of other dogs anywhere publicly. that i think is a good thing. i couldnt handle a dog that gets worked up and cranky when in the company of other dogs.

secondly, the sheer happiness and joy that you get out of playing with these pooches....they are so friendly and loving and you roll on your back and prance and play with abandon. I have tried to get you to play with the other dogs in the colony but somehow all the pet owners are so paranoid about letting the dogs off the leash. And for the sheer inconvenience or danger of falling while the dogs are winding their leashes around our legs trying to play, they avoid it. 

thirdly, the exercise! you get a good workout doing this and if it can keep you healthy, i wont stop it.

the dogs are friendly, the love is mutual, they are clean and have no skin issues or ticks or fleas. i dont see any reason to stop doing this. 

there are other things that tug at my heart.... like how sad it is for these beautiful animals to live on the road. without a family and no one to care for / feed them or play with them.

Petal is the one with the most heart melting eyes... each time i tell her, "bye petal...stay now... see you tomorrow" my heart breaks.... she's crying to be taken home... but i know i cant handle another dog. If anyone reading this would like to adopt her, please leave a comment.