Dive into my childhood memories as I recount the stories of the dogs that left an indelible mark on my early years!
Dogs have always fascinated me. Over the years I have seen, heard and read enough about dogs to say that most of them are loyal, devoted and affectionate. It is such a pleasure to have them as companions. They delight in human company.
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you have left him alone all day” is the definition a four year child gives for love. Even a child can sense that unconditional love dogs sometimes show. No wonder they have been man’s cherished friends for thousands of years.
I am baffled by all these positives in dogs. After all they belong to the family of foxes, jackals and wolves which is notorious for its cunningness.
I have never really owned a dog. Most of the dogs I knew were dogs owned by my grandparents when we were living with them. We regularly visited other members of our extended family and friends too. We got the opportunity to interact with their dogs also.
Today the dogs I interact with are the dogs adopted by the colony we live in. I look into their eyes as I talk to them endearingly, in human language. They reward me with a yawn, a wagging of the tail and eyes shining with affection and interest.
Scientific studies have shown that looking a dog in the eyes can boost levels of oxytocin in both the person and the dog. Oxytocin is a hormone involved in social binding. No wonder, many dogs took a liking to me.
One day when my daughter was about to leave for school she saw one of the colony dogs, Peppy, standing in the way. She was afraid because Peppy was old and senile and was known to snarl. I went near him and said in our language, Malayalam, “Dear, why are you blocking the way?” He responded by moving away immediately. My daughter was amazed and asked,” Mummy do dogs understand Malayalam? “
My childhood memories- The jealous dog
I shall now narrate a dog story that was often repeated in our home. It is the story of a one year old child. She was part of a joint family that included her great grandparents, mother, sister, a cousin and some more relatives. They lived in Secunderabad.
One summer most of the family left for Kerala. Only the grandparents, two maternal uncles, a maid and the dog were left. The maid was engaged to look after the children. When the children went away the maid showered her attention on the dog. She began to pamper him.
When the children returned she got back to her routine of caring for them. Most of the time she was with the one year old child who was the youngest. One day as she was carrying the child, the dog leapt up and tore the flesh from the child’s left cheek. After giving him a good beating Uncle tied him up. He was released after two days because of complaints from the neighbours. He had created such a ruckus at night that they could not sleep peacefully.
Shockingly, the minute he was released he made his way to the child again. She was placed on a table top for protection. He jumped and once again pulled at the flesh of the stitched up left cheek. There were other children in the room but this child was his target. Her uncle lifted her up high but he jumped and bit his hand too. It was an unnerving incident.
The doctor declared that the dog was insanely jealous of the child. He was dangerous. He was given an injection and was put to sleep. The maid felt shaken because she realized that it was her indulgence towards the dog that had made him so possessive about her.
Well, now let me reveal to you that the unfortunate child was me. I have been left scarred for all my life. I don’t actually remember the incident clearly. However, I have heard the story so many times that I feel I remember some parts of it.
Have I grown up disliking dogs? Am I inordinately fearful of dogs? No! I love most dogs. On the contrary, throughout my childhood, I feared all bearded men. Dr Elias, who stitched up my face, had a beard.
My childhood memories- The angry dog
Much later we had a dog called, Jacky. There are manifold memories associated with Jacky. He was attached to grandfather and looked forward to being fed by him. A morsel was enough. He would wait patiently near the dinner table till that morsel was given. That made his day. If he was absent, grandfather would go in search of him.
When grandfather passed away he mourned the loss of his dear friend. He just curled himself up in a corner and ate little. It took days for him to return to romping around with us children. We pushed him, pulled his tail, sat on his back and played games with him. He suffered them all with good humour. In fact he enjoyed them. One day he disappeared and we were distraught. A month later he reappeared and we were ecstatic with joy.
When I was six, my parents, sister and I shifted to Delhi. One Christmas, when I was eight, we were in Secunderabad once again on vacation. On Christmas Eve, my mother and aunt were preparing the chicken and other non vegetarian items for the Christmas meal. Appetizing smells wafted out of the kitchen attracting the cats and Jacky. They were shooed away angrily because they were getting in the way.
Jacky felt hurt and went to the front yard to sulk. At that moment I appeared before him. Unaware of what had transpired in the kitchen I patted his head. He flew at me in anger and bit me in the face.
Thankfully, I did not need any stitches. Only one of his teeth left a mark on my flesh. I was taken to the hospital and the wound attended to. Jacky felt repentant immediately afterwards. Nevertheless my uncle gave him a beating. In the following days he walked around with lack luster eyes and his tail tucked down. It was sad.
My childhood memories- The loving dogs
I continued to like dogs. Only big ferocious looking dogs and dogs that snarled and growled menacingly frightened me. My dear father was different. He was wary of all dogs. He felt even the most docile and friendly looking dogs were unpredictable. He steered clear of all street dogs as well as pet dogs.
The very second he sighted a dog he would arm himself with a stone or a stick. This armour coupled with the shooing sounds he made inevitably drew the dog’s attention to him. Some would start barking and growling. There were others who just chose to look at him coldly or even ignore him.
Once, my sister and I spent a few days with an aunt’s family in Delhi. They had a lovable spaniel named Leo and a beautiful cat named Pussy. Their comradeship was astonishing because they belonged to different categories of animals. Each would not eat till the other was also served. They didn’t mind eating and drinking from the same bowl. They often napped together. Silently they communicated with each other with their eyes, tail movements, touching each other’s noses and rubbing against each other. They were like inseparable siblings.
Every summer we spent a month at our ancestral farm house in Kerala. Grandmother and her spinster sister lived there. They always kept dogs for security. That was how I met Bapsy and her pups Ricky, Vicky and Stephen. Stephen was my favourite.
The first time I saw him he was plump and was waddling across the yard wagging his tail. I got acquainted with them all that summer. In the following years they recognized us and greeted us with joy every time we visited. They were well trained by my grand aunt and it was interesting to watch them obeying orders promptly. They were wonderful guards for the house.
Sometimes grains or coconut pieces were spread out on a mat for drying in the sun. The dogs were left in charge. They would be alert and never left their post. They kept vigil with utmost dedication. Every crow or hen that tried to snatch away anything was duly chased away. Ricky loved coconut but he was too well bred to touch anything until it was given to him by grand aunt.
While I write this I am reminded of the white Labrador, who was part of the bomb squad that came to our school. Our principal offered him some food and he would not take it. He was trained to take it from his master only.
My uncle and aunt in Secunderabad had a succession of dogs. Thus I got a chance to get acquainted with different breeds of dogs. First, they had a white pomeranian called Timmy. Then there was Benjy who was a black spaniel. He had a warm heart and loved children. He scurried delightedly after children who came to visit. When they left he was sad eyed.
Benjy was succeeded by Lassy the good looking golden retriever. She was intelligent, friendly, affectionate and a beloved companion. When she also went away my cousin gifted his mother with two golden retriever pups. They were two bundles of joy, entertainment and distraction for her. They were like a treat for the whole family. One was named Jazz and the other Juno.
Today Jazz and Juno are much older and follow my aunt around like a shadow. At dawn they knock at her door with their noses or their paws. They greet her with tails wagging furiously and yelps that say ‘hello’. The cheery and soothing effect of a chat with them peps her up for the day. When she goes for an outing or even talks for a long time on the phone they are upset. They even sulk. They want her attention and affection.
Being retrievers, they love to retrieve a ball or a wood piece thrown by my cousin. Often the throwing and the retrieving go on as a ritual for some time. I personally feel that the affection and generally cheerful disposition of the golden retriever sets it apart as a family dog.
Dogs are adorable
It is fun to watch little dogs play. They wrestle together, chase each other, snuggle together, prance around, roll over in happiness and enjoy each other’s company. They even nudge and nip each other in fun and pull at the two ends of a stick in tug of war fashion. Some dogs in our colony choose to sleep on top of car bonnets. I suppose they feel very safe there.
When a dog repeatedly curls his body around trying to catch his tail, it is amusing. When a dog coughs, snorts and paws at his mouth trying to get rid of the distasteful thing in his mouth you cannot but laugh. When a dog plants his forepaws on your chest and looks into your eyes with calm affection he pulls at your heart strings.
Have you seen dogs chasing cars and other vehicles? Some of them are really dedicated chasers. Suddenly they come from nowhere and race with the vehicle as if it was a bitter opponent or enemy. It is mere amusement and exercise for some of them.
A few dogs like to give you a fright every time you visit their owner’s house. As soon as they see you they get into a position of hiding. Suddenly they leap into view, bark mightily into your face and then disappear. Their perfectly timed leap and bark makes your heart skip a beat. Perhaps it is their idea of fun.
Dogs are of different shapes, sizes and colours. Yet they have some fundamental characteristics. Most of them are loving, affectionate, appealing, welcoming, naughty, fun loving, and protective creatures. They impart so much richness and warmth to our lives. Can you imagine a world without them?
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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