CHENNAI:I wake up at 5.30 am. Not because I want to get up early but because she wants to go out for her morning call or is it to destroy my garden! The day has begun for her, my black eyed, black velvet Dachshund Gypsy. My mood is not her concern. The ball is dropped in front of me and I have to play with her otherwise she will make me run — catch or hide and seek.
The most precious moments for me are in the mornings when I spend time with all three of my dogs — Gypsy, her grandmother Brandy and the handsome stray Sukmi. Gypsy has to be the first, others should not come near me when she is on my lap. They all should wait for their turns.
She has her own preference in food — others will devour sukha chapatties, but she wants only oiled ones. She is very friendly with people she knows. She is over friendly. She will greet them with so much enthusiasm, they will trip. If it is a stranger or a visitor she has not seen often, that’s it — she will bring the roof down!
My imp is one and a half years old. With me being a senior citizen, everyone advised me against getting her. The common concern — who will look after her after you? Looking back I am glad she is here. My energy level has gone up. Everyone loves her. I get a call from my maid in the evening to ask me when I will reach home. “I have left her inside the house — I forgot to switch on the light! — I forgot to switch on fan! — her favourite carpet is outside for airing. Please go home soon she can’t sleep without it!”
Living with pets you learn to have a lot of patience, tolerance and you become humane.