I was watching the movie ‘Marley
& Me’ today. It’s an otherwise ordinary movie, but for the last few scenes. As the movie was nearing its end, the emotional side of me came to life and
I found tears streaming down my cheeks. To those of you who have seen the movie
or read the book – I am sure you’ll know why it is so heart wrenching. The
movie ended and as I wiped off the last tear, I looked up at my son, who was
watching the movie with me, and was surprised to see him cry too. He wasn’t just
crying, he was weeping. I have never
seen him become so emotional for a movie, for he is all but 9 years old. He
told me the movie reminded him of his favorite dog, Chocos, at my dad’s place. We
lost her to a snake bite a few months ago and that made my boy really sad.
What made Chocos so special to
him I wonder?! They kind of grew up together in different places. She was with
my father in his farm house and Sid was always eager to visit the farm so he
could play with her. She would always be by his side and they played a lot
together. But I didn’t know he missed her so much, until I saw him cry today.
Well, what is it with these dogs
that make them so special? Chocos was not the first dog my dad had. We have had
dogs earlier and each one of them had been special in their own way. I wonder
if it is the way they greet you when they see you (like it has been a million
years since they last saw you), or is it the way they recognize the sound of
your vehicle (although there are plenty of cars going up and down the road) or
your foot steps, or the way they walk with you wherever you go, or the way they
just know that you aren’t in the best of your moods and sit by you, or when
they are being their usual silly self!
But unless you have a dog, you
really don’t know what it is to be loved by one. When you provide a little room
for your dog in your heart, your dog ensures that its entire heart is for you.
The happiness your dog expresses on seeing you and those
innumerable licks or hugs are priceless and can’t be replaced. They teach you
to love and they teach you about unconditional love.
My dad and I went to see our
first pup without the intention of getting her home. But the minute she came
rolling towards us, we knew she was ours. There was no second thought and we
brought her home. To date, I think she was the best dog my dad ever had. Before
we got her, we wondered how we were going to manage with her, but after she
came home, we wondered how life would be without her. You don’t really find a
dog for yourself, the dog finds you!
I have seen many pets come and go
in my life. And every time they go, the pain is terrible. But the moments they
spend with you are memories that are etched in your heart forever.
