Walkie Walkie!

11th August, 2013

My favouritest words in the whole world - walkie walkie!

I love going for walks. Jogs. Trots. Runs. Whatever Mommy and Papa are game for at that particular time. I get a walk atleast three times a day. (Yes, thank you, I am learning how to count.)

I love my morning walkies. But these guys are a lazy lot. I have to wake Mommy in the morning by running off with her hairband. I pull it out of her hair and then wait till she is awake enough to follow me out of the room! Although, usually it is Papa who takes me for my morning walks. I think it is so that Mommy can focus on cooking my breakfast. 

By the time we are back from the walk, my food is waiting for me! I quickly eat and take a short snooze, till Papa leaves for office. (I can't be naughty with him around.) As soon as he is out of the house, the fun starts! I drive poor Mommy crazy while she tries to get ready for office. And when she is about to leave the house, I lie across the front door. Like this. Hoohaha.

Me blocking the front door when Mommy is trying to leave for office.

What I do at home after they both leave is another story. Another time.

My evening walkies are fun. Sometimes Mommy lets me run free on the grassy green strip downstairs, and we both run up and down till tired. 

I love playing in the grass.

 Night walks are the best. After dinner and some TV shows, we usually go downstairs. It is so quiet and peaceful. But sometimes, there are these big scary bulls sitting on the road. I am not allowed to go near them. Or eat the dung they freely scatter all over the road. Not fair, I say. It smells just so good.

Back home, it is bedtime. Time to prepare for a new day.

Hi, My Name is Fido

 15th March, 2013

Hi, I am Fido!

Finally, these people have decided on a name for me! After thinking and debating for weeks, they have decided to call me Fido. Means faithful :) You bet that is one thing that I am going to be!

That is my bhaalo naam (official name). This is a slightly confusing concept. They have two names for me. Something to do with the fact that Mommy is half-Bengali.

So, Fido is the name that appears on documents and other important papers. And it is what outside people call me.

At home, I am Chhotu, what Mommy calls me. This is my daak naam (pet name). Cute, no??

Granny sent me a locket with my name on it. How cool is that!

Woof Woof, Wag Wag

 5th Mar, 2013

I am so happy. I am finally learning how to bark! Woof! I feel so grown up :) My new family seems excited when I try to bark. They laugh and pet me. I really don't know why. I don't find it funny when they talk.

Grrrrr.

Humans can be crazy. They are just so happy when I wag my tail. I hadn't even realised I was doing it, till they held a biscuit in front of me. As I stood there looking at it, my tail went thump thump against the sofa. And guess what that meant? Another biscuit!

Wag goes my tail!

I think I love my new life. How can I not! I am beginning to understand a little Human. They are figuring out which woof means what. They treat me like I am the bestest puppy in the world.

I now know for sure that these people are Uncle and Aunty no more. They are my Mommy and Papa, and that is how it was meant to be.

I can't keep my eyes open anymore.

'Eww'calyptus oil

 10th September, 2013

You know the feeling, right? When someone tells you NOT to do something, and you just HAVE to do it! This happens to me all the time. Like the other day, when there was a glass bottle kept on the counter. I heard Mommy telling someone that 'Chhotu should not be able to get at it'. That was it!

I jumped onto the counter, where it was just out of my reach. I stuck my neck out (literally), till I could atleast topple it over with my nose. The bottle broke and some liquid spilt over. I had barely licked that yucky-tasting oil, when there was a squeal behind me and I was picked up and removed from there. 

Why would someone tempt you with a bitter tasting oil, and then snatch you away from the scene of action?! I tried my best to get that icky, sticky feeling out of my mouth (maybe this will teach me to listen to Mommy next time). Suddenly, I realised that I was running around the living room in circles. And I could not stop. I had a funny, dizzy feeling and remember being faintly puzzled.

Mommy seemed really worried. She picked up her cell (it is one of my favourite toys!) and called Papa. Within a few minutes, he was home, and they took me to the vet. By then, I was not running around much, and could actually sit in the car while they drove me there.

The vets there know me well. I think they are rather fond of me, but then, who isn't? What is not to love? A cute, adorable puppy who shows you the time of your life. Spend an hour with me, and I promise there will not be one dull moment. I will keep you on your toes. Ask Mommy :)

Well, back to the vet visit. I barked a few friendly hellos to the dogs sitting there. How can dogs sit in a place and not try to jump all over each other? Boring!Sniffing at other dogs' private parts is so much fun!!

The vet checked me up and did not seem too worried (I am a big, strong boy now, Papa says). They told the vet I drank some eucalyptus oil. She did not seem surprised at all.

In a few minutes we were on the way back home. My learning of the day: No more 'eww'calyptus oil for me. Atleast not for a very long time.

In an introspective mood. Mommy asked me to think about what I did wrong today..

So, Who Adopts Whom?

2nd March, 2013

The first few days with my new family are a haze.Us little puppies are a busy lot. We eat, poop, sleep. Repeat throughout the day. In between we need to play! This schedule hardly gives us time for anything else.

Having spent quite a bit of time with my new folks, I finally decided to adopt them as my forever family. One of the biggest decisions I have made till date. Hope this one turns out fine. The last time I made a decision, it did not go down as well as I had expected. It was to  poop inside the house. Not one of my better decisions. These people just don't seem to like it. I can't understand why. Peeing and pooping is fun! But every time I do it inside the house, they pick me up, make a noise that sounds like "NO", and put me in the balcony. Wish I could understand why.

These guys don't speak Doggy. And I really don't understand Human. This is a problem. The other day, I sat on Uncle's foot and asked for a treat. He just patted me affectionately and played with me. Hope we sort it out soon.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention my visit to the vet today. Once again, we sat in that strange box, that I now know is called a car. This was fun. We were accompanied by the prettiest lady-dog, Cookie. Our neighbour. We played and played! I love chasing her tail till I get dizzy!

She asked me my name. I told her I still don't have one :( Hope I get one soon. Mommy used to call me Golu. This Aunty calls me Laddoo. I think it is kind of cute. Not sure what it means, though.

Vet visit was exciting. Cookie told me all about it. There are doctors there who look after us. And make us feel better when we are ill. She was right. They checked me and petted me. Made such a fuss, till I finally dozed off.

Cookie watching over me, while I caught up with my power nap at the vet's.

Back home, we are back to the same routine. I missed Cookie. Wish I could go play with her now. Let's see. She has promised to come and play Chase My Tail with me in the evening. Does it get any better!

The Day I Came Home

17th Feb, 2013

The strangest thing happened today. I was playing a game of Who is the Naughtiest Puppy with my brothers and sisters after a nice afternoon nap. Suddenly, a Friendly Uncle and a Very Excited Aunty came to visit us. She was kinda funny. She saw us, whooped and exclaimed and played with us. My brothers and sisters dozed off after a while; playing can be so exhausting!

But I thought this was good fun, and this couple seemed fun. They picked me up, held me high and scrutinized (I have always wanted to learn big words!) me and then spoke in hushed tones with each other.

I had recently had The Chat with Mommy. The one where she sat us down and told us that when we were a little older, we would be adopted by people and would have to go live with them.These humans would be our forever families, and we would love and adore them for the rest of our lives.

These words flashed through my mind while they were chatting with each other. I looked at them with some alarm. I did not want to leave my family and go live with strangers. But then again, they seemed kind enough and even the Crazy Lady didn't seem half bad!

Sure enough, in a few minutes, after they spoke for a while with the kennel uncles who had looked after us till then, I was quickly rubbed clean and put into a basket. The only time I have ever had to sit in one. Boy, was I petrified (told you, I like big words!).

But the moment these humans picked me up lovingly and sat in a strange box, I somehow felt better. Reassured. That things could not be very bad with them around. The Friendly Uncle took me out of the basket and I scampered around trying to find a comfortable place to snooze. I take my nap times very seriously.

Finally I settled into the most comfortable position and dozed off. 

Me, sleeping in Papa's lap while they drove me home from the kennel.

By the time I woke up, we were in their house. Everything was new and overwhelming. I wanted my Mommy and siblings. These people gave me some food and water. That made me feel better. Then I settled for a nap in the Lady's lap. The rest of the day is a haze. I ate and slept. 

Every time I would finish eating, the Crazy Lady ran into the balcony with me. And be thrilled when I peed and pooped there. Humans, I tell you! There is no telling what makes them happy!

Well, after dinner, they settled me into a cozy basket, and tucked me in. I was feeling miserable. The Crazy Lady seemed to understand. She put my basket next to her bed, and her hand was on me. Comforting. Like she knew how I was feeling. Suddenly, she did not seem very crazy anymore.

I am falling off to sleep, a long day finally drawing to an end. So many new things, so many surprises. Mostly, all good. Somehow, I felt that Mommy was right. I was home.

Me, sleeping in my cute pink basket.