Sesh called me last night – with something about rescuing a puppy, wanting to keep it and Amma not being happy with the idea. I donot know why, but he always chooses late nights or very early mornings to discuss important matters, knowing that I am not very functional then. Maybe that’s his strategy.
So he brought the little one home in the morning, and even Andal whose mornings start only by 11am, woke up to meet her. A three month old female puppy, a little malnourished with ribs showing, but otherwise very friendly and sweet tempered. He wanted to call her Lakshmi, but Aditi immediately changed it to Coco – though I told her Cookie would be more apt considering her colour. But Coco it was.
That’s when Sesh dropped the bomb – Can she stay for a few weeks with Kaaju and you. He was to travel with Amma to Chandigarh in a few days for a couple of weeks and wanted time to convince Amma into keeping Coco. We didn’t know what to say – even after thinking long and hard, with all of us working, it wouldn’t be possible. To start with, I told him to give her a bath and take her to the vet for vaccinations.
Coco ran around discovering the whole house and slurped happily the diluted curd rice I made for her. Kaaju had sensed another dog and there were deep growls from him in the balcony. We have often felt that we have not been spending enough time with Kaaju, and now with Coco, what would we do? I started reaching out to all my friends who were pet lovers, wondering if they could find someone to adopt her or even foster her for a few weeks. I then spoke to Sudha from CARE, who had been recommended by Akash’s sister and whom I had interacted with earlier for feeding of stray dogs during the covid lockdown, and was relieved when she agreed. I was happy that Coco would be in a safe place and I told her that I would bring Coco myself the next day. Though I had heard only good things about CARE, I wanted to see the place for myself and meet the staff. Isnt it odd how fast we start feeling responsible for someone.
Aditi didn’t want to leave Coco and so I went alone for the walk, and all during the hour long walk, I kept thinking and rethinking and praying that I was doing the right thing. It was as if I was being tested – no, it was not about what others would say or think, I am in a space now, where I donot much care, it was my own conscience that I had to satisfy. I owe it to my mother who had taught me only to rely on my own conscience when in a moral dilemma. Also, over the years, I have learnt that we need to be kind to ourselves too. We all subject ourselves to so much of self-flogging – we question if we are responsible somehow for how our near and dear ones act or donot act.
The only thing that mattered here was what would be right for Coco in the long run. So, I decided to stick to my decision and headed home, determined to enjoy our time with Coco.
Coco spent the night with Andal as she completed her assignment and then came and slept near my bed. I had kept a thick mat for her and a bowl of water close by. She was curled up comfortably when I woke up in the morning. She started following me as I went to the kitchen to make my Kashayam and waited outside the restroom. Andal always says that dogs instinctly know who is the Mamma of the house. She so reminded me of Max – he was his Mamma’s shadow, or is the right term, Mamma’s tail. He would usually climb onto the bed, and take turns sleeping on the pillow next to me or near my feet, with his head resting on it. I still so, so much miss that warmth. I always felt that they give us much more than what we provide them. I tell all young parents now to ensure that their children love animals and have pets as they grow up – they may make us vulnerable, but their unquestioned love and loyalty, kindness, ability to express emotions, protectiveness for their loved ones are precious life lessons.
We went in the late afternoon to drop Coco to the CARE shelter. I gather from the team that after a lull of few weeks, it had been a good day and 3 dogs had been adopted. I met Sudha in person and got to chat with Keerthan, the Puppy Manager – love the designation. Its so refreshing to meet people whose passion becomes their work. So, Coco is now a part of the group which is offered for adoption. I hope and pray that she finds a happy family who will care for her.
I finally make that contribution that I had been planning since months and smile to myself – Was Coco brought into my life by God to remind me. Strange are his ways. I will continue my contribution atleast until I earn. Also, Aditi and I decide that our next dog will be adopted and an Indian breed. I return back home with mixed feelings and wait for Aditi, who was out with Spoorthi, her best friend.
Hey, not much about my walk in the park today.
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