Petless in (Ferns) Paradise : K Achuthan

We are pet less today and we live amongst a community that did not dissuade grooming of pets. In fact we have some pet lovers who encourage pets to be groomed.

To understand what it means to have a pet, you must realise what it means not to have one. In the few days that I lost both my pets, I realise that coming home is just 'coming home'. It would be sometimes better to walk through a 'welcoming' hotel reception than coming home to a petless house. After 25 years of our marriage, I must confess that Neena and I have gone through most of the drama that we realise the importance of giving 'space' to each other. When I come home, Neena is busy teaching yoga somewhere. If Robin & Ferro were to be there, they would have greeted me in such that I would feel as though I was coming home first time as a bridegroom.

The mornings begin as though I have been a lost a found item. The way they would lick me, I would not need a razor to shave. The joy of taking them out for their first walk and to see them do their jobs, you would be so relieved that even if you have a constipation, you would thank them that they did it on your behalf. On mornings that you wake up with a hangover, taking a pet out for a walk is like having a head massage. Pet less guys will never understand this.

And then there is the ocassional fight with Neena that sometimes grows so loud that our dogs would vanish under the cots and sofas. They know when to broker peace, for when they feel that the intensity is over, they would come up to us and cosy up. All tensions vanish and the topic of dispute changes to topic of affection, their affection.

The pain of having a pet is when they fall ill. The symptoms start with them ignoring food. From then on, it is trips to the Vet. When they recover, it is although you have lost and found your Rolex watch.

We had Robin, a Dalmation, and Ferro, a Dashhund. Both left in a space of two weeks.

To have a pet is like to have a child who will never grow up rationally but will multiply emotionally. If you are not strong hearted to accept that his life span is very small and no matter how close he is to you, you must let him go, please keep a pet. Please dont keep a pet if you are not ready to accept him as your family member. He will give you joy and he will give you pains too. He would chew into your leather sofa, bite your best friend, shit in your poojs room, and will not cuddle up to you when you really want him to. Count on him to give unconditional love.

Bow, bow,
Achu