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 4 – My new friend ‘Harshit’

I decided to be a good girl, a very good girl. I started eating whatever I was given, I stopped tearing the cushions, I stopped showing tantrums. I started doing potty-shushu in the place I was told to. Momma was happy now, and so was Big Bro. Our life was peaceful.

One day, Big bro took me to the local market. He went to a shop and as he talked to the shopkeeper, suddenly I saw a young boy staring at me adoringly. He was very thin and lanky, must be 10-12 years old. His eyes popped out of the big spectacles he was wearing. I liked him at first glance.

The boy then asked Big bro if he can hold me in his arms for some time. Big Bro looked at him and allowed. The boy then cuddled me and started playing with me, by putting his hands inside my mouth. He was not at all scared of me.

Being a beagle, I am very friendly to humans. I like to be cuddled by them. I hardly scare them, but this boy impressed me by the way he played with me. For that time I even forgot Big bro, I was fully involved with the boy. But soon Big bro finished shopping, so it was time to leave.

The boy then asked Big Bro, if he can come to our home to play with me. Big Bro first was doubtful but then allowed him. The boy then came along with us. He told us that his name is Harshit, and he stays about 2 km away from our place. He had seen me a few times in the area and wanted very much to play with me.

I quietly listened to him as we walked to our home. It seems, he had great love for dogs, and he had got one at his place which soon was sent to his grandfather’s place, as his mother was not able to adjust with the dog.

I think in this world, there are two kinds of people – first category – who love dogs very much and second category who do not love them. Momma was perhaps in between, though, I think given a choice she would have preferred to be in the second category. Woof!

Quickly we reached home, and Big bro happily allowed Harshit to play with me. We went to the terrace of our house and played with ball. Harshit was a fast runner, and very quick with the ball. He could match my energy. 

Soon it was dark, as the sun went down. Harshit left, promising to come again.

From that day, our beautiful friendship started. Every day, around 5:00 pm, he would knock at the door. He would come to our home – sometimes running all the way – taking big leaps, and sometimes on his friend’s bicycle. Then we would play for 1-2 hours. Sometimes we would go to the nearby park, sometimes to the terrace and sometimes we would be just in the room as he would play video games on Big bro’s laptop. Big bro also I guess was happy as he need not worry about taking me out for play.  

One day, like always Harshit came around 5:00 pm, and we played and played. It was almost 7:00 pm when Big bro suggested going out to have some juice. Harshit was very hesitant but Big bro insisted, promising him to drop at his house after that.

We went in the car to a nearby Juice centre – me, Big bro, momma and Harshit. We ordered for the  juice but the juice café was very crowded, so it was delayed. Harshit started getting restless. He wanted to leave immediately. He told Big bro, that his mother would be worried as he did not tell her where he goes every evening. She would be looking for him now everywhere. 

Big bro too looked worried now, as he understood Harshit’s plight. I was also worried as Harshit was almost in tears. I started licking him, trying to comfort him. We finished our juices fast, and then Big bro dropped him in front of his house, and as soon he got down, he ran like a mouse whose tail was set on fire.

That night he must have got a good beating from his mother, as from the next day, he stopped coming to see me. Our friendship was of just 15 days, and it met such an unpleasant ending, but in my memory, he shall always remain a good friend, Always !!!!

But wait, our friendship did not end, as he did returned ! After two months, he reappeared again 😉 that story I will write in coming pages.

Next – My first road trip.

SHIBI