An Open Letter to the First of her name, The un-leashed, Queen of my heart- Mico
…the Breaker of notorious stray-cats' spirits, and Mother of funny heart-melting faces.
August, 2010. The usual evening-time car honking. Mom and I both sprinted to open the door from our respective rooms. Sprinted, because my brother had hinted towards some sort of ‘surprise’ they were carrying. We had been having the talk of ‘to get or not to get a pet’ in the house. Never spoke like ‘to add a pet to the family’ etc. Honestly at that time, for me and my brother, getting a pet dog was more like something that we just wanted to do because dogs are cute and it’s going to be fun having one with us. Dad was pretty neutral with yes or no. So, the last person to convince was mom. Mom said ‘le aao tum, ya toh wo dog rahega ya main iss ghar mein. Already do tote hain, 10 machliyaan, chidiyaghar banana hai kya ghar ko. Tum log toh school college office chale jaoge, samhaalega kaun? sirf main. Bilkul nahi laana’ ((don’t even think of getting a pet in this house we already have two Parrots and 10 Fishes. Plus, who’s going to take care of the dog? only me. No, not happening)).
Well, the surprise was a little White fuzzy ball with big bright eyes and a tiny Black nose and wagging tail. She was a Pomeranian, 3-4 months old, adopted from a friend of dad’s, whose dog had given birth to some fluffy-cakes. We named her Mico, the same day. Mom didn’t say anything at all, neither then nor later.

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To Mico: I declare my unmatched love for you, almost everyday, baby, but I know mom has been in love with you from the day you entered the house. I know she didn’t hate you even for one day and fell instantly for you, just like the rest of us. You have spent the maximum time with mom, our mom, at home, while we all went out everyday for our designated chores.
I moved away to Bangalore few years back. I remember how each and everyday you’d wait for me to come back from college and try to get me to play hide n seek with you. Your antics. You choosy little ass who’d drink only Milk despite the numerous treats we’d try to pamper you with. Occasionally, you’d bless me with the opportunity of feeding you the chewy calcium bones though.



I wish you could read this or hear all the things that I want to let you know. Also, I have some serious questions, like,
- I don’t understand why’d you walk around in a circle before you lay down?
2. How can a totally different species love me as much as you do?
3. What’s wrong with some harmless water and a thing called bathing?
4. Do you even know how lucky I am that you are mine, in the whole wide world that we found each other?
Guess, you’ll never be able to see me take my phone and proudly mushily say “Hey, look at this picture of Mico. Isn’t she the cutest aaahhhhmygawwd my baby.” Also, I never understand, how do you understand when me or anyone else in the house is sick or sad? You sense it always and sit by our side. Then comes the whirlpool and a magnetic pull of your sheer cuteness when you put the PAW on the palm. I mean, P-AWWW. :’)



That’s the thing about Pets and mostly pet dogs. After they’re with you, they’re family. Period. There’s no going back or leaving them stranded or not tending to their needs or not giving them enough time. It’s family. Somethings definitely change once they’re in your lives.
Last but not the least, girl, you should know that it’s not fair to sleep horizontally in the middle of a single-bed. You can show some mercy on your poor slave sometimes. :/



I am sorry for all the times when I forget to rub your belly in justttt the right spot. When you fell sick last year, my whole world came down collapsing inside of my head. I am sorry for not being around. I was not informed in time.
I feel guilty for not having been around all these years when you probably missed me a lot. I do realise that you must have been terribly confused when you stopped seeing me everyday, suddenly one day. I do realise that I am a bit emotional and falling short of words right now. I’ll see you next time I visit home. Till then, keep that tail wagging and stay healthy. I miss you and I love you.
Yours Forever,
ooo-bow-bwow

and just BTW…. sometimes I think mom loves you way more than she loves us. You and her have had a bond of a mother-toddler (mostly because you never really grew up and still look like a puppy).
Connect with me on Instagram @shailjamittal9 for more pictures of Mico and more stories.
P.S.- Adopt dogs (or any other pets), don’t shop. It’s an abuse. Don’t be abusive. Be human.