The Extended Family-Part 4

I am Lucky

    We felt so upset that as on the previous occasions  we decided we would not keep any more dogs. With dog lovers the mind starts wandering again.  And soon you  work out an excuse and realise that the different life spans are at the root of the problem. You decide that this time you will do all you can to look after them properly and have a good vet to help you. It was not easy this time as after Pug passed away we had to cope with other tragedies.

      In 1991 three years after Pug's death Aditi and Rohan stayed with us till '93. This was when the germ of an idea to have another member of the extended family germinated in Vasanta's brain. From being a doubting Thomas she had become a Saint Peter with a firm belief that pets  can help to shape and improve children upbringing. The proof was our own children who were highly thought of by every one. She had consulted a number of her friends and had decided that a cocker spaniel puppy would be an ideal birthday gift for Aditi on her on her seventh birthday. She had already fixed up with the breeder and just two days before the birthday told us and we were totally surprised. The night before the birthday Vasanta and Kamini went to the breeder's house and selected the puppy. Sekar maintains that both mother and daughter were not wearing their spectacles  when choosing the puppy. The puppy was kept in a friend's house and brought next morning and presented to Aditi. I have never seen anybody so surprised and happy. Without a moment's hesitation she named it LUCKY.

 

      When you bring up a puppy after a gap you forget that it takes a few months before they are house trained. I am afraid that in the early stages I was rather short and impatient with Lucky till I was told off to control my temper. I feel bad now. Lucky quickly settled down and started treating Aditi as an equal much to Aditi's annoyance. They loved each other. Rohan was tolerated by Lucky who treated him as a plaything. Rohan was too young to get annoyed and was delighted with a live pet. For the next two years they were a happy threesome with Lucky having no qualms to cheat them out of their food.

      Soon it became obvious that the breeder had pulled a fast on us and that Lucky was not a pure cocker. His ears were the only part that looked anything like a cocker. From the front he looked like    a Lasho Apso. His ears had soft hair but he rest of the body had thick wiry hair which grew every minute. He looked like a fuzzy ball and you barely saw his eyes wen the hair grew. Vasanta confronted the breeder who apologised and offered to take back Lucky. We were so fond of Lucky that there was no question of sending back Lucky. We got back the money we paid. The fake certificate from the kennel club is still some where in the house. Lucky had to be given a trim once a fortnight. He had to be cleaned up after every meal. This was OK. Sometimes after calls of nature it was a mess. His trimming had to done on  a regular basis to avoid these problems. The ticks had a thick hair growth to hide in and it took a lot effort to remove the ticks.

      They were a lovely threesome always together whenever at home. Lucky considered himself the senior member. Aditi used to feed him and groom him but Lucky used to cheat her. Lucy was left in the sit out at night and he was not too pleased. Early morning when we came out of the bedroom he was all over us. He was too scared to go out and came out only when he had to attend to calls of nature. He rushed back when he finished. When scared he ran inside the bedroom and hid under the bed.  

     Two years later Aditi, Rohan and Kamini left for the U.S. Lucky quickly settled down and was quite happy with our company especially Sekar. Lucky had no other interest except us. He loved the house and loathed going outside for long walks. He was a kind hearted soul with no bad thoughts or enemies. He was the most scared dog we had. I have never seen a more loving dog. Once a year we had the depavali festival when there was crackers creating a din and racket. Lucky was terrified and ran and hid under the bed.

    Aditi and Rohan visited us twice a a year and this was the high point in Luck's life. When they came from the airport he all over them and was their constant companion. When Sekar married and Ambika joined us Lucky could not believe his luck in having another avid dog lover pamper him. Then Viswanath grew up and Lucky decided that he was sufficiently grown up to be playmate.

 

      All was well and we thought that this time we would be spared the trauma of illness and suffering. Alas this was not to be. Lucky had a growth in his paws. This time the advice to leave it alone was wrong and it became incurable and Lucky was in great pain. With great anguish and sorrow we had to put him to sleep.  He lived only eight years.

                                         

                               

 

    

            

Comments

[mike jones]

love love love it! it brought back so many fond memories. and you unearthed some pictures i haven't seen in years! so glad you did this :)

[Kamini]

Completely agree with Mike Jone's comment - such a treat to read about dear Lucky, and those photographs are priceless.

[Kamini]

Also, I like the new look!

[Sekar]

Rohan: 'ere's Yucky? 'ere's my puppy dog?
Aditi: He's Lucky, not Yucky and he's my puppy dog not yours.

On another occasion:
Aditi: Lucky, stop biting me, I'm your mom.
(Lucky ignores her and continues chewing her hand.)

[Ambika]

I felt very sad reading this somehow.

[Ejamanar]

I vaguely remember taking Lucky when he was a pup to the Vet on Greenways road who promised (in Tamil) that he'd grow like a bear - Kamini was not fazed in the least bit but I think Mummy - on hearing of it - was not amused!

[Kamini]

No wonder vijay. mummy knew what was involved in the haircut or trim when kamini returned.
appa