A Special lesson of Love

As he walked into the room, he saw her. As he looked at her for the first time, he couldn’t help but stare. Mesmerized, he stood there, watching her curled up in a corner, sleeping. It was as if she knew someone was watching her. She immediately opened her eyes and looked up at him. That was all he needed to fall in love. Those eyes, almond shaped, so dark, it seemed she had lined them with kohl. She was the one. He wanted to get closer, and as he did, her eyes followed him. She looked up from where she was sitting. A puzzled look, a dainty look and a look that she quickly withdrew. He smiled as she looked at him from the corner of her eye. He couldn’t help laughing when she shyly stood up and walked towards the toy corner, looking for something. He then walked up to her and finally spoke. He doesn’t really remember what he said, but all he remembers is the lost look in her eyes that convinced him, she was THE one. He quickly turned around and smiled his broadest smile and announced to me, “Mom! I found my Special”.

Yes people, I am talking about my son Suraj and his first meeting with Special, his adorable puppy. As he picked her up in his arms she stuck out her nose trying to sniff behind his ears and snuggle up under his jacket. He then unzipped his jacket, held her next to him and zipped it up again. He spoke to the bundle in his jacket, assuring her that he would protect her, keep her warm and as she grew up, he would make sure that he becomes her best friend. That night as we drove home, he comforted her every time she whined, he held her close every time she shivered. The look on his face washed any doubt that I had about making the right choice. That night she cuddled up with him under his quilt and slept through the night. I was quite amazed since I was expecting a few sleepless nights till she got settled in. But of course, Special has always gone beyond expectations.
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What followed in the next few months was also beyond my expectations. I had not seen any dog chew through so many shoes, wires, tables, chairs, sofa corners, mobile phones, books, CDs, hair clips, scrunchies, bottle caps…you get the drift. Each time I screamed, Suraj was there to protect her, and then quietly take her to his room and give her a stern warning with the newspaper rod he had made. As she grew up, I thought her chewing would get lesser and slowly disappear. But that was not to happen. Nearly two years old, Special is still the chew queen. Recently, we came back from watching a film, to see her proudly sitting over my wide open office bag with the data cable of my I-pod and 4 of my prized pens all chewed to bits. As my screaming started, Suraj quickly removed all evidence of her misdeeds from right under my eyes and whisked her away to his room, I didn’t see either of them for the rest of the evening. In fact, the protection works both ways. One evening, I was extremely upset with Suraj and unlike other days, he was at the receiving end of my high pitched angry screams. As Suraj sat quietly on the bed pretending to listen to every word I shouted, Special came from the other room, climbed the bed and quietly put her head on his lap. She looked at him from his lap as though to say, “I know how it feels, and I know what you need.” As I left the room, I am sure I heard both of them sniggering and sharing notes on how it feels!

I often wonder what this bond between a boy and his dog is. I never believed that the Vodafone advertisement with the loveable dog following the little boy could ever be a reality. I was not convinced that there could be unconditional love like this. But then I saw it happening in my own home. I have seen her sitting by the door close to the time he comes home from school. Wonder how she tells time? But shes there, sharp at 3:30, waiting to hear that familiar voice, waiting to jump on him, run in front of him and then of course curl up to him and take the afternoon nap. I have seen him sit by her side petting her endlessly through the night when she was sick.

I am sure as both of them grow up, she will become a calmer, less playful dog, and he will be caught up in his studies and his friends. Maybe the time they spend with each other will get lesser with each passing year, but I can see that the bond they share with each other, is only getting stronger. Each time I see the two of them together, playing, running, laughing….I thank god for giving me these two wonderful beings who have taught me, in their own way, the meaning of Unconditional Love.