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.

Its been a year

15th August, when we celebrate india's independence day, i will celebrate the day you entered our lives. that rainy evening a year ago, when we drove 25 kilometers to 'just see' the puppies and fell completely in love. There is no corner of my heart you have not conquered and no part of me that isn't yours. one year has gone by so quickly and so beautifully. For all the licks and kisses, the pawing and the head butts, for making me keep awake 36 hrs in a row and getting me to wake up before dawn, for following me into the loo and scratching at the door if i don't let you in, for all the times you just looked at me with goo goo eyes...thank you Sage... you made our lives so complete...

Super Chaddi wala dog

the last few days, you've developed a rash near your... err... balls.... i checked and cleaned it... rubbed in some ointment... put some medicated powder... but today i decided i would have the vet check you...

we reached the vet at 1.40 p.m as directed. being a sunday and since the vet couple were on chutti for a few days, there was quite a line. We waited and chatted with fellow pet owners outside... as always we get asked after your breed, age and eating habits. no one wants to believe you are just a year old... anyways. I am always thankful that you are a well behaved dog and wait / sit / lie down patiently without getting antsy or embarrassing us. 

the doctor checked you, applied some powder and said nothing to worry but that we should stop you from licking yourself as that could worsen the condition. So his suggestion was to put an old underwear for you! i couldnt stop laughing...

We got home, you were drowsy from the medicated shots and so while i cut out a hole in one of K's old underwear to accommodate your tail, you just fell asleep. I put the chaddi on for you and couldn't help feeling so sad for how you looked. I am one of those people who cant understand why people put clothes onto an animal other than to keep them warm... i cant stand the tee shirts and all that are sold currently for dogs. to see you with a white chaddi and your tail sticking out from it... made me so sad for my beautiful poochie who temporarily looked like superman's sidekick. Get well darling... lets get those panties off of you quickly!

Happy Birthday Darling

My dearest darling Sage,

You turn one today my love! Happy Birthday and wishing you a lifetime of love.... you have brought us joy like we have never known. I don't know if you know how much happiness, peace and stressbusting you have gifted us. Stay happy, stay playful and always be our pupster!

Love..... K and A

Right after i get my toe nail pulled out....

My dear dear Sage, for the last 2 weeks you have been so upset with your schedule and wondering why i dont love you like before.... the thing is, 2 weeks ago, after a hectic weekend and Monday afternoon high summer shopping trip, i was down like a dead duck with a heat stroke. that resulted in my being out of action for three days. i somehow managed to drag my ass out of bed to walk you about three times a day and then for a couple of days just couldn't even get out of bed. that's when K had to step in and you didn't like it one bit. i don't know why you like to break his heart like that? he loves you more than i do you know....but you refuse to walk with him when he takes you alone and it makes him very sad. you sit on dharna at least a couple of times hoping i will emerge from behind to take your leash and when you are truly desperate, that's the only time you will go with him. it makes him sad, makes me sad too...

just as i was getting better from the heat stroke, on an evening walk, the dust-storm that blew a lot of debris around made you go crazy and run about madly because there were so many flying objects to catch. there were 10 odd kids trailing you and i was very worried that in the collective hyperactive state, someone would get hurt and its not polite to reign in the kids, so i tried to reign you in. between the children and you and me, i am not quite clear what happened, but i fell and jammed my left foot and before i could realise where the shooting pain was coming from, i had your leash firmly in my hands. i looked down and knew it wasn't pretty. lets just say there was a lot of blood and a nail that was precariously hanging onto its bed involved. as i hobbled upstairs with you on the leash, i knew this needed medical aide. a few painful attempts to remove the painfully bloody nail failed and then i called my doctor who wanted me to come in and see the surgeon as he suspected the nail would have to be surgically removed. evening time traffic and all meant i had to wait an hour for K to come home, ferry me to the doctor as the attempt to drive myself ended badly. lets just say a lot of pain was involved, i came home to rest an hour later. 

so for the last few days, i have been unable to put my weight fully on my left foot and the way i walk is hardly conducive to walk or play with you. the result of which is you have been giving K a miserable time. he always feels you aren't comfortable enough, he doesn't know how to deal with the various dog friends you have and most of all, you refuse to budge a couple of times, even running back and sitting poignantly in front of the lift. why are you doing this? you are perfectly happy to play with him and beg him for food or other treats. he is the one who gets you all your toys and washes your paws when we bathe you. he is the one who never raises his voice at you and always appeals for mercy when i punish you. you love it when the both of us walk you, but not K alone? still you give him such a hard time on the walks that i am unable to take with you? why sage?

i had to push myself to walk all the four times yesterday when you refused to go. my foot hurts, but i have no other choice. one part of me wants to go all awwww my dog loves me... the other part worries about how you will manage when i have to leave you for a small period of time to travel. 

you have been a sweetheart and agree to be locked up for 9 hours when we step out for work, now be an angel and go on your walks with K as well. Please darling? i am asking nicely...

love, me

the truth about having a dog

i wrote a really long post about the reality of life with a pet, especially a dog. i love you, there is no doubt about that... and i wont trade you for anything.... i had to write this because in the last few days i've had these kind of encounters

spaced out girl #1: hey! can i touch him? whats his name? how old is he?
me: yeah of course, his name is Sage he's 9 months old
spaced out girl #1: i love dogs too and want to get one... infact where did you get him from? can you give me the number?
me: oh that's nice... yeah sure, some guy i met through a vet. where do you work? (she was walking with a laptop bag and a dangling Id)
spaced out girl #1: oh great, please give me, i want a Lab, will he have them? i work with XYZ company.
me: then who will look after the dog when you are at work? cos when they are small they need to be fed and cleaned etc...
spaced out girl #1: oh i was hoping you can help me here, do you know of any dog day care centre where i can leave the dog, because my hours are unpredictable.
me: oh! no i dont know of any, but even if there are, it would be very tough on the dog... so maybe you should think of it when you can spare the time....
spaced out girl #1: noooooo but i wanted one....
me: ok... goodluck then!

couple stops their bike and the girl gets off to pet the dog
girl: may i (gesturing if she can touch Sage)
me: yeah sure... he's friendly
girl: we also want to get one... where did you get him?
me: from a friend (way easier than explaining about the breeder)
girl: he's so cute... are you working?
me: yes, but mostly from home, although i do leave him for about 8 hours when i go to office
girl: do they need to be with people? cant they stay alone? because both of us are working so we will have to leave him in the house.
me: oh, better if they have company atleast till they are 5-6 months, cant leave them for more than few hours, because they will do susu potty in the house...
girl: oh but what about using the toilet? wahan kar sakthey hain na?
me: yes if you train them... but they need to be fed also when they are small, below 5 months they need 4 meals a day.
girl: oh ok... i and my hubby work night shifts, we come back at 2 a.m do you think its ok to make them also into night shift?
me: i dont know, i havent tried it. but will you have the energy to spare?
girl: yeah that's what i am thinking.... but they are so cute no? i wanted one badly....
guy: do you think we can keep saint bernard in hyd?
me: people do have them, but they suffer in the heat of hyd.
guy: yeah because my friend has one in bangalore
me: ok, bangalore is much cooler than here... also, they need space, you cant keep them in a flat
guy: no no, flat mein hi adjust ho jaata hai
me: i dont think that's wise... anyways nice talking... chalo goodluck then!

these are the kind of conversations i have.... i know dogs are cute... but they also involve atleast 2 hours of your time per day to care for them. if you cant give that, dont get one....

in the last few months, i have tried to help a dog orphanage which rescues and rehabilitates abandoned dogs. they have a large number of purebreeds which are abandoned by people who pay money for them because they cannot take care of them anymore.... all animal shelters will tell you similar stories....

so read my post here... tell me what you think....

lounging.......

here you are, snuggled in the razai with K when i went in to wake him up on monday morning and lost you too to the 'lazy morning reluctant to get out of bed'

Chor

you love jhaadus... like the day i bought two from a vendor on a cycle and you insisted on having one to play with and wreck immediately.....

and last week, when you stole gangaram (the person in charge of our building's maintenance) and he chased you trying to get it back and you thought you struck upon such a fun game!

sniffing about

you will never give up snooping....

action avatars!

am going to post pictures of you taken over the past few weeks for the next one week...unless of course you try and do something totally insane... like today you tried to eat the stuffing out of your poor alligator!

 that's your face of pure ecstasy while getting a belly rub

what were you thinking?

so yesterday it turns out, my darling sage, you decided it was time to embarrass me like a super bumper lottery.  we were on our first walk of the morning, you went along the regular route to check on who else had been snooping about in the time that you were sleeping and began marking your milestones/ flagposts once again. I met the large gentleman with the small dog (Buddy the 4 year old pug). you guys sniffed about while the man and i spoke... general chit chat....buddy is the guy you are indifferent about, unlike Snicker the Dachshund or Chubby the Golden Retriever. you will give buddy a cursory sniff and then stand or sit by my feet till i begin to walk away. I had no reason to believe it was going to be different. Sometimes when the humans we meet on our walks chat for longer than you like, or you are bored, you just pull at the leash and indicate that you are done, and i have to wind up quickly too...

this gentleman who owns buddy loves to talk...which is fine... because i love that too... but he talks at the pace that a snail walks... i have to stop myself from completing his sentences.... yesterday was no different... he droned on and on... i was being polite and having an eye on you... you suddenly decided that you'd had enough and just lifted your leg and peed on Buddy!

the embarrassment! my god, thankfully my reflexes were quick and i pulled you away in time to prevent a shower on poor buddy! 

what were you thinking Sage? for one... the gentleman will definitely not speak with me for a while now! and i will move on after the cursory hello from dog walkers!

i miss you

i miss being able to hold you in one hand... now when you sit on my chest, i think i will suffocate and die... to think that you fitted inside a small basket...and now to deal with the bully you have become... you occupy the lone bench in the building and whosoever is sitting on it when you arrive, has to get up and make room for you, or be sat upon....

i miss you little sleeping baby dog... who is this monster you left in your place?

Am Rethinking your name

am wondering if we should have called you "trooper" instead of Sage Sizzler.... you came to us with gluten and lactose intolerance that took us about 4 weeks to figure out. In retrospect, i want to kiss your paws for obliging and being a playful puppy when you were the sickest because of the food we didnt know was making you so sick. Also that blasted commercial pet food which didnt suit you. Yet you played and nibbled and were generally such a darling and endeared yourself to everyone even while you kept teaching us what not to feed you and how to make you better.

you swallowed a plastic frog motif from my slippers and made it through that... also one day with a tummy full of pebbles. I dont know how you managed to wow the houseguests we had that weekend when you were trying to digest 200 gms of stones! *respect

on sunday we had a party for 10. early morning you showed signs of teething with one of your canines breaking and getting bloodied. i was worried, but you reassured me by nipping and lunging at me that you would be fine. by the time i had finished cooking and wanted to catch a quick nap, you decided you would have none of it and started to get cranky. you wanted to sit on my tummy while i lay down and wanted all sorts of things that i couldnt figure. i offered you a toy, food and water.... K then made you play vigourously to tire you out when all of a sudden i realised you had a mouthfull of blood. it stopped me in my tracks and made me rush to give you some ice cubes. half the tooth had broken off and the other half, hanging vicariously was very painful, because for the first time in 3 months, you winced in pain several times (something you have never done) and tried to get into my lap. so i allowed you to sit and chew my arm, then you got up and got yourself a profusion of really hard stuff to chew...the fake bone, an empty plastic bottle, a really thick stick.....then finally back to my arm again. that's when i realised you were trying to break that tooth off. all the while sitting on my lap. so i offered you your favourite red toy - scooby. and in a matter of a few minutes, the tooth was off....you licked me a lot. in the midst of all of this, lunch guest arrived, fawned all over you and we gave you 1/2 a cup of beer to drink which you lapped up. I was hoping you'd fall asleep. But a lot of teasing and rough play was in store... and even tho i didnt like some of it, i waited and watched hoping as always, you would set your own pace.

by the time we were done with lunch it was 5 p.m and when i took notice of you again, you were burning with fever and were really tired but still not giving up on the activity. by this time, you had not eaten one full meal, slept your usual 3 hours and so i was so worked up about you but i still had my guests at home and so couldnt focus on you. I took you for a walk and you just flopped down listlessly on the sand pile. you didnt want to dig, or play or do anything. just sat there and i knew you were in so much discomfort that i couldnt even focus on making tea let alone drinking it.

by the time the last of the giuests left it was 7.30, your temperature was high, tongue burning hot and you had a salt patch on your nose. I called Dr. Saikia and gave you crocin on her advise. The three of us went to bed by 9.30, me holding you in my arms, but you as usual wanted to sleep on the floor. After a long time i prayed you would feel better.

i woke up with a start at 4 a.m somehow the tiredness blanked out everything after i hit the pillow. but at 4, i suddenly remembered you were running temperature the previous night. i found you near the clothes hamper, on your back with your legs in the air, rollicking away. when i switched on the light, you had a look of shock at being caught in the act!

i was so relieved that i laughed so hard K woke up. We went for a super early, super long walk to celebrate. and you just proved once more how easily you will work towards bouncing back. to take everything in your stride and work through it...to never show how much pain you are in.....you are truly what we should have named you "trooper"

Resisting Sleep

Its 9.12 a.m as i write this. I am in the study and you have possessively taken the aqua cushion that you think is your property and are tossing it around. I have been trying to get you to sleep for the last hour...you are doing everything you can not to....i miss those days when i was able to con you, all i had to do was carry you into the bedroom, put you on the cushion and close the curtains or turn off the lights to darken the room and lie down. in less than a minute, you would be asleep. now you have a mind of your own, and its getting quite stubborn.

first i thought you waited for K to wake up and give you time, then for him to get dressed and leave for office...now what? the house is silent but for the sound of me typing on the keypad...its pretty chill for a november morning ... and you are refusing to sleep....i have been ignoring you the last one hour... doesnt seem to work....

So for a pup that woke up around 5 a.m, had two rounds of food and milk, three walks and 20 minutes of play time, you are just holding up on willpower...i have just one thing to say to you - "go the hell to sleep!"

sand crazy dog

since the last few days, i have realised you go absolutely bonkers in sand. you furiously dig a tunnel and then burrow your face in it... sometimes you roll over and over and when the sand cascades down, you try to stop it with your paws! it is one of the most incredible sights ever. and i feel like i want to always remember that... i wish i had pictures, but that hardly will do any justice!

its amazing how your personality is developing.. you are quite an obstinate little bugger. and if you think its too hot for your walk, you just stay put and refuse to move till sometimes i forcibly carry you out, or give up and turn back. am sure that you hide a smirk somewhere in that jowl of yours!

stopped counting

We got you on a saturday, the 13 of august and it was raksha bandhan/ avani avittam that day. ever since, i count each saturday to see how many weeks we've had you. yesterday i didnt. does this mean something? because it feels like we always had you now.

K texted what has to be the most beautiful message he's ever written (and that is saying something!). it included you and he has forbidden me from writing it here on a public forum. am just making an entry so i dont forget. and every time i complain of how much my arms ache cos you pull on the leash, i hope to remember this message.

its sunday today and i woke up as usual at 5.45 a.m. we've gone on our walk and i am onto my second cup of coffee. you've had your milk and breakfast. K is asleep with the a/c on and the room is so chill, yet you want to sit at my feet in the study where even the fan isnt on, although you love the a/c... my little lamb.

you are making it a practice to pick up fallen flowers on our walks and slink off as though you have a rabbit or partridge in your mouth. its hilarious to see a half grown dog with large pink flower in his mouth. did i say that you are adorable? or is it just my blinding love?

oh yeah and the fanbase is increasing! there are some 'hot chicks' as K likes to call them. they come and call you by name and tell us which apt they live in and how much they talk about you and they fall all over you to pet you. you love it.... but i think K loves it more! he also said how old it makes him feel!

btw, random boys are coming up to speak with me! i have so far met parag, chetan and amit... they all appear to be terrified of even touching you but they pretend to be dog lovers and ask my name in between asking yours, how old and what breed! totally random and very amusing!

milestone

Sage stood on his back legs and lunged for my phone on the writing desk yesterday. till now he wasnt able to reach it, or level. yesterday he was at eye level.

he also sat in his corner and played for an hour after the lights were out with a toy. he usually used to sleep immediately after light out. he walked up to his basket, picked out a toy all by himself.... sigh!

1 year old sienna came down from mathur uncle's (i know!) first floor house to meet Sage and pet him today. i have not seen a more eager and fearless child. Sage behaved, sat down and waited to be petted with tiny hands.

here's a baby pic of us... all cos my friend A put one of her and you on her fb profile and i am jealous i dont have a single glamour shot with you when you were small and now you are almost half grown.

Handsome!

Day three of taking you out on your walk. i have met more people, been stopped and spoken to and invited home in the past two days than i have been in my entire 7 years in this apartment. One entire family came onto their balcony to see you. they called you handsome and i was brimming over with pride.

Was also accosted by one young girl who was so besotted with you that she wouldnt let me go, or you do your business and i was beginning to get irritated. she wanted to play with you but was a little scared. she also wanted to hold you by your leash and pet you.

you are looking forward to your walks my darling. and have had accidents at home only twice, that too because i delayed taking you out. usually overnight is a nightmare. and the bedroom ends up smelling like a sulabh complex. last night, it was smelling like a daisy. you didnt even pee the customary once! am so proud of you my darling boy.

the walks are also tiring you out pleasantly. you come back home, lash at your enemy - the leash, after all attempts to maul it are futile, you drink a gallon of water and flop down at my side to sleep the next couple of hours. all the hyperactivity has ceased. touchwood.

this is you, sleeping after your latest jaunt.