A two-month-old
Labrador was abandoned. Left barking in the Delhi summer sun. 8 yrs.’ ago he
came to us and became a member of the family.
He considered
the lady of the house as his GOD. He constantly
followed her in the house. Aligned his position so that he got a constant line
of sight of his GOD. He revered her. In the morning slowly tiptoed near the bed
and waited quietly. If she was asleep, gently went back without waking her up. He kept
doing this. Once awake, he kept his head on her lap as if to say good morning. He
studied and knew body language and signs to perfection even more than other
members of the family!! He knew when she was tired and when she was in a bad
mood and would try to compensate for everything.
He spoke
without speaking. He heard without a word being uttered. He listened to what we
thought and every time he was right. He miraculously could feel when we were
about to finish our dinner, to come near the dining table to ask for his bite.
He knew for sure, with the evening tea, his two biscuits would be there in the
tray. He waited for his bite. Never pounced
or grabbed. Used his snout to poke and grab attention if we were busy reading newspaper
or not talking to him.
An epitome of
goodness, kindheartedness and jovial in nature. Playful and loving. Always with
a balanced and calm temperament, he tolerated all the nonsense heaped on him by
playing kids. Never intimidated them. He maintained calmness at all times
without getting provoked or perturbed. Never
ever complained and never ever demanded. Never showed any unhappiness. Never collected
unhappy stamps and kept dragging. Never displayed his ego. Never showed any
hatred. Always a happy dog. Dennis.
Suddenly last three months he started bleeding from his nose. After many doctors and hospitals, we knew that it may be a nasal tumor. He calmly suffered the onslaught of medications . At the most he used to complain to his GOD, about me when I administered medications by running towards her and keeping his head on her lap. But he knew. He knew his days were numbered. We consulted the doctors but he was certain. He knew he had to go. Suddenly he started becoming aloof. Earlier he used to roam in the house at his will. Not anymore. He started spending his time outside the main gate of the house as if indicating that his way is different. Even if we brought him in our house, he chose a corner and looked at us as if he was no longer part of our family. Last few days he refused food and water. Imagine a Labrador refusing to eat!! Gone were the days when his eyes used to gleam when we said ‘biscuit खाएगा?’ as if it was too trivial. The end came and he graciously accepted it.
He showed
what Bhakti marg is.
He showed
what good temperament means.
He showed how
to dissolve the ego.
He showed
that there is a time when one has to go. Without clinging without a whimper.
He showed how
to live a happy life.
Even if I try
to emulate some of the superlative qualities which he displayed, I would be a better
person. We seldom come across a pure soul with higher conscience. I have
experienced a soul which has higher conscience. I have experienced a pure soul.
I am blessed.
