RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
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A dog and a learning curve
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By Sheila Kumar
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A pet can be an entertainer and sometimes it can also teach us
life’s valuable lessons
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We had a Golden Retriever called Boss for seven years — a
stunner with his sandy coat, brilliant black eyes and handsome muzzle.
However, it was his good humoured demeanour that set him apart from other
dogs. Boss didn’t leave any pups, but has left us with lessons we would
absorb into our lives. The first lesson is a very basic one: grooming. Boss
was rather a dandy. He did enjoy walking through puddles or scratching at wet
mud. But the moment he’d return home, he’d come and ask for his evening
brushing.
The second one is a not-to-do: getting in the way. Because Boss always did that. He’d be in the maid’s way when she swept the house; in my way as I brought out steaming dishes from the kitchen to the dining table. He’d be lying just outside the bathroom as someone would step out. Boss was both aware and observant. He’d mostly lie around resting his heavy muzzle on his front paws, but his eyes and ears were alert. He’d caution us against people just before they arrived at our door, roaches trying to creep behind cupboards, even a stray dust ball spinning around. Unconditional love was the next thing; Boss loved us all. He filled the rooms with an aura of love; it was so infectious, we caught it in no time. And now I know that unconditional love strengthens you in some indefinable way.
Cutting loose was another lesson. Boss would be absorbed in something only up
to a point, beyond which he'd let go. He'd play with a toy, and then walk
away without a backward glance. He’d suddenly slacken his hold on the rope
during a game of tug- of- war or drop it. He’d become upset every time we
packed to leave on a journey without him. He'd sniff the bags, mope, heave
deep sighs, and suddenly rediscover his sunny side, come up and deliver a
loving lick on our face.
That is how I'm coping with his loss: trying to cut loose like he did and be happy with my store of treasured memories. http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec122005/editpage17495820051211.asp |
