SHIBI’s DIARY

My name is SHIBI, I am 6 months old Beagle puppy and this is my diary. In this diary, I shall write about my life.  You may question, ‘Can dogs write? What stories do they have to tell? They only eat, sleep and bark.’

‘Yess…Why dogs cannot have stories? Are we not living beings? Do we not go through tough times? Is our life honky-dory always as they show in movies?’

Part 2: Home Coming

As the big boy carried me in his arms to his car, I realized I was out of the bondage of Jack. I was free physically, but not mentally..! I was deeply anxious!

You might say, do dogs also feel anxiety? Very much..! Childhood – insecurity, abuse, and emotional stress affect us very much, just like humans. Difficult to let go the stress of being abandoned..!

I anxiously looked at the big boy, who stared at me with love, perhaps he was trying to assure me that I was in safe hands. He then made a call to his home, informing me about my arrival. I listened carefully to their conversation, trying to gauge if I was being welcomed, but could not understand. He smiled, ‘Shibi, all is fine..!’

Soon he stopped the car, picked me up in his arms with the utmost care, and we were in front of a door. He pressed the doorbell, and the door opened up.

I saw an elderly couple in front of me, I understood they were his parents. The lady stood with a lightened lamp on a plate with flowers. She welcomed me, by putting a red vermilion tikka on my forehead and then did an arati. The big boy smiled at me, ‘Shibi, meet your momma and papa, I am your bro, and you are now part of our family!’

I smiled as he put me down. I wanted to run around the house and see what my new home looked like. They left me free to do so, as they got into a discussion, which I hardly cared about. Like a soft-toy ball, I rolled from one room to another, trying to find a place for myself.

When I entered back into the hall, they were still in a serious discussion. Momma appeared to be deeply upset, perhaps my sudden entry into the family was the reason. Anyone would be! I understood their discomfort!

I was anxious again, do I have to return to Jack’s cage? I looked at my big bro. He picked me up and took me inside his room. He put me on his bed, and said, ‘Shibi, you will stay with me, in my room.’

I waited eagerly for my verdict. Then Papa entered inside the room, he announced that first Shibi must be taken to a vet, for a thorough check-up. Again, I was back in the car, and we reached a Vet place.

I liked the vet, Dr Neha, she was very smiling and assuring. She checked me, asked for a few details and then prescribed a few medicines and a diet plan. They discussed a lot with the vet, trying to understand what would be my needs, and soon we returned home.

Yesss..! Home! That is what I felt for the first time that I too have a home, I will live-in care of my parents and Big Bro..! All went well the first night! I got nice food, a nice and cosy bed and I slept peacefully..!

Next – Not all was well !