Another favorite blogger is gracing this space today! We’ve Shilpa Gupte from Metonia writing for us regarding.. well, you go ahead and read it. She is my absolute favorite for she loves my quirkiness and all the things I do and share on my Instagram page. I can’t wait to meet her you know. She also shared a video showing her pet parrot Cookie’s reaction to my video. Don’t forget to check that out. Mommy also says that she is just brilliant when it comes to Zentangles. I don’t know what that means. It’s too big a word for me. But those look super-cute! Go to her blog as soon as you finish reading this post.
Over to you, dear Shilpa…
My pet dog, Chikoo, entered our world when we were not even thinking about getting home a pet. Well, that’s Life, isn’t it? It’s what happens when we are busy planning Life!
So, in walked Chikoo, muddy paws and wagging tail, announcing his arrival by peeing on the doormat and making a permanent home in our hearts. Pets, I believe, come into the lives of those they choose. Chikoo chose us to fill the vacuum in our world and to teach us all about parenting, caring for a tiny being and putting others before us.
However, I am sorry to say not all are worth being pet parents. I know, this statement comes across rather harsh, but what else does one think of when one finds pets abandoned in their old age, or in their sickness? There are countless such incidents we read or hear about, where a pet dog or cat has been shown the door just because they grew up and became too much to handle. A responsibility to be shirked instead of fulfilled.
People bring home pedigreed pups and kittens to fulfill their children’s demands, but as the pets grow and their needs change, they become a “burden” people wish to dump as soon as they can! Giving them the necessary attention becomes too much of a hassle and people rarely pause to think things over before abandoning the poor creatures by the roadside, to fend for themselves in a harsh world that’s so cruel towards animals.
There are also people who believe in maiming animals to suit their idea of perfection!
Confused? Read on…
Once, on visiting a neighbourhood pet shop, I noticed a Doberman pup who looked listless and distressed. I wondered why I saw the sorrow in his eyes when I looked up to see his ears. The shop owner had coiled its ears and tied them up tightly with a string to make them pointy – the kind we generally find on a Doberman Pinscher. I was shocked! I asked the shop owner why he had done so, to which he replied that that is how the dog’s future owners wanted it! It was, indeed, a revelation to me! The sadness and the pain in the pup’s eyes tore at my heart, but I felt helpless.
Would anybody do that to their children? This chopping off of the tail, tying the ears to make them stand tall and pointy – all of it infuriates me no end. I mean, what sort of cruel heart must beat within such people!
They do give custom-made a whole new meaning, don’t they?
I believe pets should be pampered and cared for like one’s own babies, for the kind of unconditional love they shower on us finds no comparisons. We never get that kind of love, or loyalty, even from our closest family members. But, our pets live for us from the moment they enter our world to the moment they leave.
The day my Chikoo breathed his last, his eyes had only love for us. And concern. He passed away last year, but his memories bring tears to my eyes even today. I haven’t been able to get over his loss. Even as I type these words, I have tears in my eyes. Finding the right keys on the keyboard seems difficult. But, that’s the kind of effect our pets have on us!
Whether we love them or ill-treat them, the love they shower on us is boundless, wholehearted.
And, for all that they do for us, isn’t it our responsibility to love them and to cherish them, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, till death do us part?
Author’s Note: Writing is a passion I developed over the past few years. My pet dog, Chikoo, made for the perfect muse and many a post are dedicated to him. My blog, Metanoia, is also about Wellness, inspiration, books, films, food, and art. It’s on my blog that I find the peace and joy that makes my life beautiful!
***********************************************************************************************************
That got me and my mommy teary-eyed. We can’t believe how hoomans can be so cruel!
That’s all for now! Don’t forget to drop in tomorrow because…
This April I am taking over Mamma’s blog to share my pawsome puppy tales with you. You can expect helpful information, fun and interesting articles topped with a dollop of adorable pictures and videos of mine. I will also be calling some friends over. I hope you’ll join me on this journey for I promise to shower you with unconditional love and deliver a positive dose of dog everyday, this April.
Meanwhile, I also hang out on Instagram. Do follow me there.
******************************************************************************************************
Find all the A to Z 2018 posts here.
Don’t miss out on any new updates. Subscribe to my blog (find the subscription box on top and the right side of this page).
Share and connect with me on social media.
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
XOXO,
P. S: Love Party Foods? Check out my food blog for some easy recipes to wow your guests.
It’s so cruel to maim pets for superficial cause. Absolutely cruel. Chikoo was such a darling. Loved reading about him on your blog Shilpa. The void is hard to be filled. But we can continue loving and providing a home to these Beautiful Creatures.
Yes, Raj. The void is difficult to fill, and the vacuum his passing left will forever remain. 🙁
So sorry for the late reply! <3
Though i never met Chikoo, I’ve known him for so long through your posts. I know your loss well. It breaks us inside, losing one we loved so much.
The thing about maiming a dog specifically for a customers purpose is new to me… And horrible.
It’s new to me, too. From what I read in Lisa’s comment, it shook me to the core! I mean, how do their hands even function while doing what they do to those poor souls?
Shocking, indeed!
Thank you for visiting, Roshan!
And, apologies for the late reply!
Yes, it’s our responsibility to give them the best their entire lives. I read somewhere that for us a pet is a part of our lives. But, to the pet, we are their entire lives. It’s true in more ways than one. We live longer, so have multiple pets. But, their entire lives are with us, we are all they have for all of it. We are responsible for their happiness. I think of that when I am trying to avoid holding my affection demanding cat, and give in, since he’s a house cat, and I’m his life!
I HATE ear cropping and tail docking! It should be illegal. It is in many countries, but not the US> It isn’t necessary in show dogs anymore, but breeders still do it. Perhaps once judges give the big wins to natural ears and tails it will get better. I wish I could find a vet who refuses to do it, I’d change to them in a flash. In the US we don’t “tie” ears, the vets cut them into shape and tape them up, all bloody and stitched. It turns my stomach. And to cut off the end of their spinal cord, that’s what cutting off their tails is… barbaric.
Oh god! I really was unaware of this horrible procedure! These are living beings people are dealing with! Don’t they know?? How can people be so heartless?
It should definitely be made illegal.
Apologies for the late reply! <3
Awwww Shilpa. I have seen firsthand how cruel humans can be to dogs. It makes me so angry that I can’t do anything. I see that both my kids are very sensitive to this as well. The younger son seeks and pets strays. Wish people would love dogs as they give so much back.
Yes, Rachna. It’s the inability to do anything about the inhumanness that really makes me frustrated. We can just wish and pray for people to grow a brain and a heart that feels for the mute souls!
Apologies for the late reply! <3
Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Shalini! This feels wonderful!!
Lots of love to you and my dear Muffy!
It’s always a pleasure, dear Shilpa. Your post made me teary-eyed. Thanks to you for writing such a heartfelt moving piece. Means a lot. Lots of love <3
Thanks Kohl Eyes for yet another opportunity to read Shilpa who is also my favourite blogger . I agree that all people are not fit enough to raise pets just as everyone is not fit enough to be a parent .
Pets are living creatures and have real feelings too ! And Muffy , that warm yappy yap yap, the mad tail wag and the joyous dance of welcome is unbeatable ! Not to mention the soft comforting licks, the supportive whimpers that make a dog totally irresistible…. I miss having a dog but honestly keeping one in an apartment block is cruelty to animals .
Yes, Sunita. I agree…as much as we love pets, caring for one, giving them the space they need is what we need to bear in mind, else we will be harming them, in a way.
Thank you !for visiting! <3
Hugs Shilpa… Have always loved reading about Chikoo, and surely as raj has mentioned above his void can never be filled.
Never, ever, Ramya! He will always have a huge corner to himself in my heart!
So sorry for the late reply!
Ah Shilpa is here. I know how much Chickoo meant to her. I lost a dog when I was 15 and till date as much as I love dogs I cannot bring myself with the fear of having to lose them again. I can’t go through that again. Sadly, that is the only problem with dogs, their lifespans. And that is not even their fault!
I seriously don’t know what we humans have done to deserve dogs.
Soumya, that’s what I always wonder, too. What have we humans done to deserve their unconditional love! We don’t even have anything to give them back in return!
SO sorry for the late reply! <3
Pets do choose and adopt us and bring happiness to our lives. I was so sad to read about the doberman … wish people cared less about appearances and more about humanity.
Do check out my #AtoZChallenge post for P
True, Seema. It’s what lies within that matters more, but for some, it’s how it appears on the surface that is more important to their prestige! Sigh.