They so easily steal our heart away.
Having grown up in a household where our dog was always an integral member of the family I cannot visualise a life any other way.
Leo, our Shih Tzu came into our lives six years ago at the demise of our dacchund Nova. She had lived fourteen long healthy years with us. As we were distraught, our only daughter decided, more for her own sanity, that she should find us a replacement or we would be lonely, and drive her batty long distance.
Nova was intelligent, undemanding, and recognised our moods, giving us comfort when needed or keeping her distance and watching us from under the sofa at other times.
She was also very aware of the hierarchy at home and treated everyone accordingly. So while she turned to me in sickness and pain, to her father for love and being lifted and molly coddled, and for food to the helper, her role model and heart was in our daughter.
The moment she came visiting Nova forgot all about us and followed her around like a tail, getting into her bed sleeping long hours with her, forgetting her need to pee or even eat.
She would surface with her, follow her schedules and emulate her lifestyle totally. Her fondness for adolescent girls was immense because she could only relate to children that age.
Nova like all adolescents asserted her independence and could not be forced into doing things she did not desire, taking refuge in the most inaccessible corner in the house.
Being superbly intelligent, Nova could gauge our mood and realised when she needed to obey.
She like all dogs, loved her walks and we dared not use the word “chalo” the hindi word for “lets go” if we did not intend going out for a walk. The moment the magic word was used she would be enthused with energy and start circling around and even pick up her leash and bring it to us.
She never had to be leashed though, as she was very disciplined and walked by our side, and even if she wandered off would return the moment we called out for her.
We started devising ways of saying “chalo”, so that she would not be party to our conversation. She, however was too smart and even recognised the alternate words we used. Then we started spelling out the word as a code word, but Nova figured it all out.
She united us as a family and though she loved her walks needed the family to walk together. If one of us decided not to go along, she would jam her feet into the ground and refuse to budge. We, would always joke that Nova was the reason me and my husband could never think of divorcing.
Her leaving us, after leading a good long life left us inconsolable.
Our daughter who loved Nova, was sure that the replacement should be as different as could be, and hence did a lot of research before getting Leo into our home.
While dacchunds are super intelligent hunter dogs, shih tsu’s are supposed to be the most unintelligent of all breeds. They originated in China and served as foot warmers for the Emperors.
Leo was the sweetest puppy, dealing with his own anxiety and separation the first night by cuddling himself up on a slipper in a corner of the kitchen. The next morning he lost his fear and inhibition and soon clung to us.
Puppies are adorable and it was like having a baby all over again. Feeding, toilet training and exercising him consumed us both, and our home helpers were enthralled by him.
Returning home from work, being greeted by Leo and having him follow me around was a great antidote to loneliness. We would have long conversations and he would respond with a wag of a tail or grunt constantly looking into my eyes.
If I slept he slept, if I went to the washroom he followed me, never leaving my side for a minute. I had never been swamped with so much male attention and the feeling was great!
Leo has compartmentalised all his relationships. He sleeps with the helper and is very loyal to him. He is the one who feeds him and takes him down for his numerous walks. He grooms him, bathes him and massages him and unlike Nova, Leo treats everyone with equality.
There is no hierarchy he follows, instead he has devised a fantastic way of dividing his time equally with all the members of the household hurting the sentiments of none.
So early morning he runs out of Deepak’s room charging to his father’s room where invariably he will find him doing yoga. He spends the next hour observing, sniffing when needed, going close to his face occasionally disturbing his concentration, licking him and sometimes stretching along with him doing his own little exercise routine “doga.”
Now is the time he devotes to his mom, he comes and sits by me on my bed waiting for me to wake up. The moment he sees me stirring, he is all over me, wagging his tail licking and pawing.
It is a great way to start your morning surrounded by so much love that invariably you begin your day with a smile on your face. He is so aware of everyone’s routine and knows that I will share my almonds with him.
I am convinced he doesn’t really like almonds, its an acquired taste, humouring me by eating alongside. His duty done he then returns to see what my husband is up-to.
For an initial non dog lover he is now quite the opposite. He very so often decides that Leo is having a head ache and its time to give him a head massage which Leo laps in looking adoringly at his dad. There is a lot of conversation which happens during the head massage and from my bedroom many a time I have to yell out and tell them to stop making so much noise early in the morning.
My husband, as he ages needs a captive audience and having Leo is therapeutic as he does not interrupt, look bored or walk away from the repetitive stories. He shares his breakfast and both of them have an avid fondness for bananas, one for its nutrient value and the other as a copy cat.
Leo growing up in a vegetarian household eats cucumbers sprinkled with salt and lime, carrots, apples all with relish. Even if he sees a stranger walking by with a banana, he will drop everything and start looking so intensely that the poor guy will be confused.
Leo too loves his family time and the ritual of walks with us every evening. Unlike Nova he tends to wander away and needs to mark his territory. He is a good looker and has a large fan following of little kids whom he loves.
Invariably, every evening he resembles the pied piper with all the kids of the complex following him.
He has many duties to perform, essential for his well being like dropping us to the car, seeing off guests, watering the plants along with me. He likes to sit by my side while I am dusting, cleaning, or watching Netflix.
During his puppy days, we would sing lullabies to make him sleep. Its funny, but till date my husband has to lift him in his lap and start croaking, and within seconds Leo is fast asleep snoring away loudly. It definitely has something to do with his gender.
Leo, unlike other dogs loves to bathe weekly and surrenders himself to the moment with glee, not writhing when soaped and allows himself to be dried by the hair dryer with a submissiveness suggestive of complete faith and trust.
Does intelligence make you more discerning and demanding ?
Nova and Leo are suggestive of just that.
My pets are my lifeline to sanity, happiness and well being. They provide me with a similar comfort that my child did when she was still home.
Of course on the down side, many of our friends who come visiting must be bored as all our conversation centres around our pet.
Our dog is the focal point of our life now, travel abroad entails bringing back yummies and toys for Leo.
Dogs are extremely loyal. They hold no grudges, and are constant in their affection. They know how to attend to everyone’s needs, neglecting none in the process. They live in the moment and enjoy everything they do.
They are constantly watching out for their loved ones, and if you yelp out in pain, they will be there in a jiffy by your side licking, whimpering and trying to help.
Nova and Leo have taught me that happiness is in giving and not expecting anything in return. All of us need a friend who is supportive, uncritical, caring, loyal, loving and non judgemental. Pets are friends, who without speaking, communicate all this and steal your heart stealthily forever.
