My territorial nature was in conflict with my new family. Soon I learnt that messing up corners would result in a whack on my rump followed with the dreaded word “NO”. So whenever I had to go, I quickly ran to the nearest member of the family and wagged my tail wildly. Immediately I would be picked up and rushed outside to the green patch and placed on the ground. Oh! The smells were heavenly there. I used to run around to every bush and let go. Sometimes I would do my Big job there too!.
Lifting my head I could smell distant smells of a zillion things, I could hear voices of my brethren, movement of small creatures in the bushes and varied sounds of insects. I yearned for the smell of my Mom or Pop but that was not to be. I slowly forgot them. For me the smell of the family was these four human beings.
I grew and I grew fast and as I grew, I became more rowdy. I was given a small belt to wear around my neck. Ridiculous…. Which guy wears a necklace and that too fluorescent blue in colour. I tried to bite at it but it was too difficult to reach. And then would come a longer belt clipped to this necklace of mine. I knew that Amma or Appa wanted to be taken out for a walk. I was thrilled because it would help me stretch my legs too and I would hurry them up by pulling them. Since they were not as fit as me they couldn’t walk or run as fast and so they would pull back and say “Heel”. That meant they wanted to slow down, so I would slow down and start walking next to them. But this is very irritating, you see. Why couldn’t they just go on their own or let me free to run.
During these walks, there were many similar looking human beings with different smells whom we used to meet on the way. As we stopped, I used to go up to them to introduce myself and smell them and what did I notice. Most were very friendly and fondled my head. I would wag my tail in glee. But as time flew by and I grew, the same folks started getting scared of me!!! They were the same, I was the same, they smelt the same, I actually smelt better now!!! They would jump back as I drew near them. But why? I couldn’t understand. I just wanted to be friends. Others whom I didn’t know, used to be walking on our side of the road and on seeing me would quickly cross over to the other side. That is disrespectful isn’t it? I even noticed, many human beings playing with my not so well-to-do cousins who had no homes to protect and stayed on the roads. But the same folks would really not want to venture next to me. Later I realised that they had started getting scared of me.
I was big, my teeth were sharp and large, my ears stood up in glory collecting what the world around me was sending as sound. My hackles used to rise when I saw some of the ruffians of a different breed than mine on the street. I couldn’t stand their audacity of barking at me and my family members proclaiming that we were treading on their territory. I had to show them their place, so I used to the nearest pole which had a bright light on top and let loose a strong squirt. It sent the message loud and clear. I was the Alpha here. This route was mine and I had bestowed my family the right to walk when and how they please. A deep throated growl or a bark would settle that. Those mongrels would scuttle, go a distance and bark their annoyance. That was OK with me. A look of disdain and I would pull my family along.
Slowly I gathered knowledge of the world around me – where my home was, where the place where my family used to ring a large bell and bow at something from a distance, place where lots of small sized human beings used to run and jump around some funny structures. I used to love that place and would bark and pull asking to be released. A strong pull, a “NO” and my fight would end. I would look at Appa and whine but the look on his face was enough for me to understand. I saw big trees, buildings, people, big boxes rolling on the road at fast speed making funny noises and letting out fumes from their back…. That stung my eyes and made me cough. I hated them…. My other bretheren too. They would run behind it barking at it to go away. Through the various smells and shapes I pictured the world around me. It was beautiful. Once I realised that my folks were tired I would bring them back home. I realised that they were well exercised and my job was to keep them fit. As one great unknown person had so beautifully quoted “If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise”.
I would be treated to the best drink in the world – refreshing, clear, cold water. I lapped up to my hearts’ desire and then with my tongue lolling would plonk myself on the cool floor just revising the smells and shapes of the day. I wouldn’t forget it of that I was sure – who needs maps.
I wanted to be unleashed and run on my own to see more distant places but I realised that my family was not sure I could find my way around. I did try running out on my own a couple of times but it was never too comfortable alone. I would just stray just outside my home and screams from Amma asking me to get back would tell me that such kind of tests would not be tolerated.
I was slowly told to behave myself in public and at home. I was taught at home. No school for me. My human parents were great teachers. I learnt to Sit, Stay in one place, Heel to their side, Lie down flat on the floor and act as if I was asleep every time they said “Sleep” and I followed the orders in letter and spirit. And every time I did right I would get a sweet round biscuit. Wow! What a delicacy. I fooled them through and through. What they did not know was that, it was the easiest way to get what I wanted. Just act disciplined and collect biscuits. Aha!! I could have easily done what I wanted but the biscuits were irresistable.
What could you learn from me till now.
Learn more about the world and people around you.
Use those sensory organs to the fullest. Your sense of sight, smell, touch, feel and taste are the greatest gifts you have been given to enjoy the universe around you.
Learn to listen to your family. They tell you only what is good for you.
Be territorial when it comes to your home and family.
Discipline is always respected and you will be rewarded for your discipline.
Over the coming days, I will be telling you about things I have learnt from human beings. Oh! They are so complicated and it confuses the hell out of me. And at times, I am amazed at their intelligence, love, courage that they display. Well it is time for my snooze. See you on the other side.
No comments:
Post a Comment