Love is love, no matter who it's for. Many say the greatest love is between a mother and child because it's unconditional, but I believe the love one has for their pet—and the love a pet has in return—is equally unconditional. Though you might occasionally bribe them with chocolates, cakes, or chicken, their love for you will always remain steadfast.
Dashy, our accidental first pet, initially stayed with us temporarily as a stopgap while traveling from Chennai to Mumbai and then Surat. Originally belonging to my uncle, we grew so attached to him that we decided not to let him go to Surat. He became a permanent part of our family.
Color: Black
Breed: Dachshund, also known as the German Sausage.
I had never seen a prettier set of eyes than his. Dashy stood strong, yet short and long, resembling a sausage perfectly. He was so independent that after a while, he would go out for a walk by himself, roll in the mud, sunbathe, and then return after an hour. He'd sit right outside our door, and someone passing by would ring the doorbell, and we would let him in. He would promptly head to the bathroom to get his paws washed, and once done, he'd drop himself on his bed and rest.
He understood emotions at home well. If you were sad, he would come sit by you for comfort. When disciplined, he would growl in protest but never snap. Dashy was my superhero without a cape because he shared my disdain for lizards. He wouldn't move until he had killed one. If a lizard accidentally entered our house, there was no turning back for him. He would guard that corner, waiting patiently for it to reappear so he could scratch and claw at it, ensuring its demise. Yet, he never ate them. His barking continued throughout the day, and even at night, you could hear his faint growls under his breath. He could go without food or his evening walks, but he would persist until the lizard was dealt with. Sometimes I had to pick him up and confine him to the bedroom, but by daytime, he would inevitably find and dispatch the lizard. I cherished him even more for these traits.
When Dashy went for a walk, he strolled like a king, exuding confidence as if he owned the road. He didn't hesitate to growl and bark, even at larger dogs like the German Shepherd in our colony. Unlike most dogs who avoid going out during Diwali due to fireworks, Dashy was undeterred. He walked calmly even beside lit crackers, unfazed by the noise. Rain didn't bother him either; he was perfectly content getting wet. Dashy seemed to take everything in his stride without a hint of fear or discomfort.
I was always amazed by Dashy's acute sense of hearing. Even when my brother, who was a DJ at the time, returned home very late, he would cut off his bike's engine before entering the building gate to avoid waking anyone. Despite this precaution, Dashy always seemed to sense his arrival. He would quickly rush from wherever he was and eagerly wait at the door to greet him with happiness.
There was a time when my father would routinely take Dashy for his evening walk after closing our store for the day. It's still a mystery to us how Dashy always seemed to know when it was time. He would fetch his belt, hold it between his teeth, and sit by the door just as my father was turning the key. Seeing him so ready, my dad had no choice but to take him down for a walk like a good boy.
There was also a time when Dashy showed his displeasure in a unique way. Once, despite being warned, he picked up a crumb of bread from the road and ate it. When my dad brought him home and scolded him, Dashy didn't react at that moment. However, as soon as my dad stepped out, Dashy rushed into the bedroom and started tearing the lungi my dad had been wearing before leaving. He stamped on it, tore at it with his teeth, and did his best to destroy it. When my dad returned and heard the key turn, Dashy acted as if nothing had happened, wagging his tail innocently, leaving me to clean up and hide the evidence.
There was also a funny incident when Dashy climbed onto the bed, saw his reflection in the mirror, and started barking until the "other dog" disappeared. Yes, he had his quirks. He even chased his tail sometimes, perhaps just to pass the time. Dashy would sit patiently while my mom cleaned his ears and trimmed his nails. He was especially protective of my mother; no one could raise their voice to her without Dashy barking fiercely, though he never bit anyone. He had his own loud way of showing his love.
With time, we accumulated many memories with Dashy. There was a time when he needed surgery due to ear infections common in Dachshunds. His ear lobe had filled with water, requiring an operation at home under heavy anesthesia. When he woke up, it was adorable—he stumbled around the house like a drunk, always at a 45-degree angle until the effects wore off.
Everything seemed fine until one day we had to leave him at a kennel for a week while we traveled to our native place. When we returned to collect him, he was overjoyed to see us. However, soon after, we noticed he was falling ill. He had countless ticks and fleas on his body, so severe that it led to kidney failure—both kidneys. For weeks, he relied on daily drips. Initially, he would weakly attempt to walk towards us when called, but eventually, he couldn't get up at all. He would lie down, emitting faint barks, indicating he wanted to come to us but couldn't.
The hardest thing is witnessing your dog in such a state. Even harder is making the decision of whether it's time to let him go. The vet told us there was nothing more she could do, and keeping him alive was only prolonging his suffering. When we finally made the decision to say goodbye, my uncle happened to be there—his original owner. Life has a way of coming full circle.
I lifted Dashy onto my lap and held him gently as the injection was administered. I felt his weight gradually increase in my arms as he left us. It was heartbreaking to hear his final soft bark and see him peacefully close his eyes in my lap.
Having a dog is indeed a significant responsibility, akin to raising a perpetual child. It's a wonderful experience if you're committed to nurturing it with love, as love is the only language they speak and understand.
From Dashy, I learned invaluable lessons:
Independence: Watching Dashy handle things on his own taught me about independence.
Expressing and Letting Go of Anger: Seeing how he expressed anger yet let it go helped me understand the balance in relationships.
Relentlessness: His determination in certain matters showed me the importance of persistence.
Self-reflection: His reaction to his own reflection taught me the value of introspection.
Attention and Focus: Dashy's attentiveness and focus on things he cared about were inspiring.
Unconditional Love: Most importantly, Dashy taught me about loving unconditionally, a lesson I cherish deeply.
Losing a pet is a deeply emotional experience that only those who have loved and cared for one can truly understand. Pets become integral parts of our lives, offering unconditional love and companionship that leaves a lasting impact. Dashy was more than just a dog to us; he was a cherished member of our family, leaving behind memories that evoke both joy and sadness.
Mojo, my nephew's dog, also held a special place in our hearts for 12 years, leaving a void that's difficult to fill. Documenting these memories is a beautiful way to honor their lives and the love they brought into ours. Pets like Dashy and Mojo teach us about love, loyalty, and the unique bond between humans and animals that transcends words.
Yes, they were just dogs, but they were also beloved companions who enriched our lives in ways that are profound and unforgettable.
Dashy & Mojo, you will be missed & loved forever.
-SuVi
18-08-2022
PS: I was lucky to have one more dog. Same breed and her name was Daisy. But she will require a whole book to be written on her!
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