Can A Lie Ever Be Welcome?
Can Unconditional Love Overcome Barriers?
It was the beginning of May 2007. I was excited and tired at the same time. We had finally decided to start construction of our dream home in a plot we had purchased. The ground breaking ceremony was held the previous week and yesterday, we were up all night at the site praying for the borewell to hit the water source.
I was lazing around the house when my husband Rajesh, came home with a Dalmatian puppy who was around 75 days old. I was shocked as he knew that I was petrified of dogs. I would not visit friends & family who had dogs in their house or insisted that they leash the dog and keep it close to them while I sat at the other end of the room. This fear was deep-rooted and went back to my teen years when I was chased by a Doberman on a dark night.
So I was unable to understand why Rajesh had come home with a puppy. I asked him what was he thinking and did he want me to leave the house. Rajesh assured me that this was a temporary fix for just a few hours and he was only transporting the puppy to his sister’s house. He said that the puppy belonged to his friend’s neighbor and they wanted to give him away because their older dog was not accepting the new pup. I hunted for some plastic bowls and asked Rajesh to give the puppy some water and biscuits. In the evening my husband took the pup to his sister’s house and I heaved a sigh of relief.
Two days went by. I was busy with my office work and planning for the new house and so forgot all about the pup. It was late evening, when the phone rang suddenly. It was my sister-in-law and I assumed it was a random call made to generally chit chat. But she asked to speak to Rajesh. The pup had scratched my nephew who was very little at that time and they had decided to find another home for the pup. So the pup was back at my place – again ‘temporarily’. Since I had a corporate job at that time and my office was at quite far, I was away for most of the day. I graciously agreed to let the pup stay in my apartment till a permanent home could be found. My condition was that he would not come anywhere near me.
Truth be told, I was feeling very sorry for the pup who had to change multiple homes in under 3 months. I was brought up to be accountable for my actions, whatever they may be. So in this case, my sense of responsibility extended to my husband’s actions as well. Since we had taken the pup out of a home I felt it was our moral responsibility to find him another good home. I told Rajesh this and reassured him that I would adjust for the few days that we would need to find a good home. Since it was only for a few hours a day when I was home, I felt I could adjust if it meant something good for the pup.
A fortnight passed by and the pup was still at home. Every time I asked, Rajesh said he was seriously looking for a home but nothing was materialising. In the meantime, he had started taking the pup with him to the construction site of our new home as he was spending most of the day there supervising the work. I could see a bond developing and was internally panicking because I was scared of hurting either of them emotionally but was also not prepared to live with a dog on a permanent basis.
A few more days passed by and the pup was still at home. Though he was never left free in the house because of my fear, Rajesh had slowly started making him sit on the sofa with us. But I always ensured that he was at one end of the sofa while I was at the other and that Rajesh was always in-between.
Every day I came home in the evening to his excited barks and wagging tail. And this had slowly opened up something in my heart. Since he was not getting in my way, I naively assumed that life could go on as it was currently.
Then two incidents occurred which proved to be a turning point in the story. The first was a tiff with a worker at the new home which was getting built. I would visit the site on weekends to take stock of the progress. One weekend, some new workers had come in and one of them kicked the pup because he was playing near the place where he was working. I was furious and gave him an earful. Afterwards, I was surprised at myself and the sense of oneness that I felt with the pup. The second incident happened soon after. While I was at work one day I got a call from Rajesh saying that he was at the vet and that the pup had eaten something because of which he was throwing up. He had lost a lot of energy, was not able to keep down food and they were giving him drips. All day, I was unable to concentrate on work and that evening I came home to a very tired pup. He still tried to show his pleasure at seeing me with a feeble wag of his tail, while lying down on his bed. I had no knowledge about dogs and thought that we were about to lose him when I saw him like that. So for the first time, without one iota of fear, I wholeheartedly caressed him.
That was the first day that I accepted that Scotty (yes, that was his name which I had rarely used because I did not want to get attached) was here to stay and that he was my family. And that was just the beginning of a beautiful journey that changed my life forever.
After a few years, during a casual conversation Rajesh told me that after he brought back Scotty from his sister’s house, he didn’t really look for another home. Somehow, he got the feeling that we would become his permanent home and so he kept pushing his luck with me. By then I was too much in love with Scotty to actually care about the deception. In fact I only felt gratitude towards him for having brought Scotty into my life.
This is a true story of how Scotty came into my life. He is the reason why my blog exists – it was his loss after 10 years that made me turn to writing as an outlet for my sorrow, through Forever In My Heart.
This post is written for #StoryTellersBlogHop FEB 2021 by Ujjwal & MeenalSonal
using the prompt “And that’s just the beginning”
I am myself so scared of dogs that I can totally relate to this post. I still can’t imagine if I can ever get over that fear and fall in love with any pet for that matter. But reading this post it does seem like a likelihood!
Ira, I am afraid of dogs too. Rather I am not a pet lover. I am better with human beings🤪😀beautiful story.
Thank you Sivaranjini
Ha ha. Hope you find a Scotty too who will make you fall in love with him and kiss away all your fears!
Awww what a lovely story … beautiful relationship built on deception
Thank your Preeti. If you remember, you girls were part of this phase 😉
Discovered you through the bloghop
I loved your story, the real story
I am a huge dog lover, I had a GSD and it passed away in 90’s when it was around 11 years.
This story made me remind of my dog brother.
Thank you Romila. Even death doesnt dim the bond. We lost Scotty in 2017 and I miss him every single day.
Another awesome post from your side Vasumathi. I won’t call myself scared of dogs but yes, I am not very comfortable having them near me. But as your experience says, sometimes, situations, circumstances show us a different side of ourself.
Thank you Alpana. I know the feeling as I have been there. Sometimes, something just shifts and your entire perspective changes. My mom is still uncomfortable around dog though she feeds the strays who come near her home…whereas both my Grandmom & Dad adapted to Scotty really well.
This was a cute love story, a bond we build with our pets and how eventually they become a part of our heart and lives . I’m so glad you finally accepted Scotty and he got a home, to call his own!
Thank you Daisy. It is I who is blessed to have him come into my life. My life changed so much because of him and I would like to think that Iam a better person today because of him.
Like you, I also have a great sense of fear from dogs. at my place, my girls always insist me to have dog as a pet but I always say no. after reading your post, feeling that things could change for me as well in future. loved the way you had narrated whole journey and I am glad that now scotty is part of your life.
Hope you do Surbhi. But I would recommend you be sure before getting a dog as it is a big commitment. Sharing the link to another post of mine that i wrote some time back for new and prospective pet parents. Hope that helps.
https://thescarlettdragonfly.com/the-pandemic-pet-baby-boom/
Lovely memoir! Pets become an inseparable part of our lives. Emotional attachment is a small word, our whole life revolves around them. Beautiful 👌
Thank you Aditi. They are a big commitment but bring us such joy. My life changed for the better with Scotty.
Vasumathi, even I have fear of dogs and I can completely understand when you mentioned in the story . Scotty was lucky to have you both as pet parents. SOmetimes the impressions made in small time leaves a big stamp in our life which makes us smile while looking at it. Did you get any other pet after Scotty ?
We were the lucky one to have Scotty in our lives. Yes…he has left his paw prints all over my heart. Coincidentally, on his 3rd death anniversary our second Dalmatian arrived – Smokey. He is my pandemic baby 🙂
That’s a heart warming story and a lovely way to pay tribute to scotty. I am happy that you found him and he found a lovely home.
Thank you Neha. We are indeed lucky to have had him in our lives
A beautiful post. Dogs are absolute angels. I can imagine how he stole your heart. I fall in love everytime i see my dog which is like all the time. Enjoyed reading it and could relate to all the words.
Deepika Sharma
Thank you Deepika. I understand how you feel. Each time I fall in love more – non dog people will never understand this 🙂
Aww, such a beautiful full of emotions story Vasu. I have been through this phase when I fell in love with a pet dog named Bruno. I was damn fearful of the dogs even today; the fear is the same, but the change of heart that I experienced when I went to my maasi’s house for studies, and she had a pet Dog.
Thank you Archana. So glad you got to meet Bruna and experience the unconditional love that dogs have to offer
I could see myself in the post. I am.too scared of dogs. But my husband loves them and kids too..
Lovely post! I was always said, they her take humans in caring and spreading love
Thank you Sadvika. Dogs have so much unconditional love to offer that they melt most hearts.
I have a mixed relationship when it comes to pets. I’m too scared to be close to them but actually love them alot too. If a dog barks, I will be the first one to step back. Very nice story!
As they say a barking dog seldom bites. But dont go around trying to touch them. Just stand still and let them get familiar with you by sniffing. They are more scared of new people than we are of them. Usually the pet’s parent will be able to guide you if they are friendly or dont like strangers.
Such a touching heartfelt story. I love dogs and so enjoyed this one in particular.
Aawww…that was heart touching! I have read a few of your blogs on Scotty and a part of me dulls down everytime I get reminded that this cute little soul isn’t amongst us anymore.
Lots of love to Scotty and your family.
I too had tough experiences with dogs. Hope I will be okay one day.
Such a lovely memoir. I honestly can’t bring myself to write about my two kiddos. we lost both of them in a span of 3 years. But God or my kiddos have decided that it would be difficult for us to survive without them and introduced us to another dog (which adopted us after my first one passed away) and this kiddo stays in my home whole day to give us company.
First of all Scotty is a beautiful name. It is really difficult to not to attach to a dog easily. Few moments of fear generally tells us how much we care about someone else.
Such a beautiful piece from you Vasumati ! Loved the narrative . I loved how this friendship and a cordial relationship was established. How our perceptions change is very surprising !
Awww I could feel the love you had for Scotty so well! I too had a sweet pup named Scotch who died after 7 years. It is really heart-wrenching to lose a loved pet.
Vasu, I am so glad that I met you through the blog hops we have been part of. I have been reading a lot of your posts lately and you are such a gifted writer! You write from the heart and write so beautifully.
I am terrified of dogs. Reading your post took me through eh transition you went to, from fear to love, for Scotty. So sorry to hear that you lost him. Glad you shared his memories with us.
Please keep writing.
What a story Vasu and I am so happy that Scotty was a part of your life.
Although I loved dogs’ pictures, I was so scared of them in real life after a stray came running after me in my childhood. But things changed, when ‘Naughty’ – pug, came into my life. She was my aunt’s pet and a perfect furry friend to love and cuddle. I can relate to your transition journey from hating to loving Scotty very well, as I have gone through it too.
I was hoping that this is a true story and am so glad that it was. I’m sorry for your loss. A pet is no less than a family member and the way he made his way into your heart shows just how attached you must’ve been to him. I’m scared of dogs too but am sure that Scotty would’ve changed that about me as well!
So sorry for your loss, Vasu. I am afraid of dogs and my daughter keeps on insisting to adopt a pet. Your story gives me little courage to think about it…lovely story Vasu, you have described the transformation so gracefully and honestly. Loved you take not the prompt.
Nice story to read. I had a dog and could relate to it.
Dogs are faithful n better than human but they require a lot of care. I am a dog lover n can easily relate to the post. Lovely post.
This is such a cute bond you have shown. I am scared too with dogs and against having one at home. So good to know that now he has a permanent home!!
OMG I am a plant parent and these mute little beings get close to your heart so much. I can relate to your pain. Hugs to you.
Touching story, Vasumathi.
Scotty was meant to come to your life.
Your blog is proof.
So glad your husband pushed his luck.
touched me very deeply. no words left!
As a pet lover and the one who grew with multiple pets (dogs) at home, this is so relatable. I have had friends who would petrified by the thought of coming to mu home back in childhood. But this is the best bond ever. I just returned from mom’s home and already missing our dogs 🐕. Beautiful story and glad scotty is a family now.