I do not think that the good old proverb: “Love is blind” has much truth to it. The last four years have taught me out of everything else that love is kind and not just blind! I was done with relationships five years back. I went through a devastating breakup, encountered numerous problems back home and had to relocate to a completely new city.
I didn’t have many friends to fall back on. I had an average job as a proofreader in a small company and my salary was pretty modest. I did not have the luxury of going out to party on weekends; whom would I party with anyway? On top of that, most of my colleagues were above 50 and I did not really fancy spending evenings with them in their conversation circles.
My only option was to go out on a stroll in the evenings. There is a big park right next to where I lived, and that was my first choice. “At least I can get rid of this ridiculous paunch if I jog a bit!” I had thought.
I would come back home after a tough day, freshen up a bit and hit the park for some rounds. It was on one such evening that I met Donna. I was near the north gate when I noticed a group of kids circled at a spot near a water dispenser. I could hear muffled cries of someone in distress and realized that there was a living being on the ground. It did not take me long to figure out what was happening when I saw a kid swinging a broken branch of a tree toward the ground.
Mischievous kids nearly always get on my nerves, and it gave me immense pleasure to chase them away. One of them tripped and fell to my satisfaction. It was only after they had left that I found the helpless being – a puppy cowering under a bush. My anger welled up, “Little rascals! I’ll give them a sound thrashing if I ever come across them!” I bellowed.
It took me a lot of time to coax her out of the bush. She was shaking all over. As soon as I picked her up in my arms, she hid her face in the nook of my hand. The kids had thrown water on her; she was wet and cold. I could not find the mother anywhere and it was getting pretty late. The entire event had unfolded over the course of an hour and I realized that I could not wait any longer.
I came back home and searched for a towel. Donna, as christened by me, was still in one of my arms. I locked the door to my apartment, took the towel and headed straight for the washroom and filled a bucket with some hot water. I gave Donna what was probably her very first bath. She was covered in dirt and it was only after I had cleaned her that I realized how cute she really was!
I dried her and brought her a little cup filled with warm milk. She lapped it up in no time. I noticed that she looked at me after her meal and wagged her tail. She even had an expression on her face that looked like a smile. “You look happy, don’t you!” I muttered. She kept wagging her tail. I didn’t realize it back then, but we had begun a beautiful journey together. The journey would definitely have its ups and downs, but it was bound to end up being our greatest ride.
I had no idea that Donna would give me back the gift of life that I had given her. One day I came back home completely drained. It was in the afternoon and I really was not feeling too well. I remember getting in through the front door. I was feeling so tired all of a sudden that I could not find the strength to lock the door behind me. I had a big sofa place just beside the door and I remember crashing into it and losing consciousness.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw that I was in my bedroom, surrounded by my neighbour, Mr. Dixit, and a doctor who lived downstairs. Donna was standing near the door of the room with a pensive look on her face. Mr. Dixit said, “Donna was scratching the door to my apartment hysterically. She was barking too! As soon as I opened the door, I saw Donna stomping the ground restlessly. I looked at your door and noticed that you had left it ajar. Donna noticed the look on my face and barked again to confirm my fears. I rushed in to check on you and noticed that you had passed out on the sofa. I called the doctor.”
I don’t think I would have survived that day had it not been for Donna. We often visit the park together in the evenings nowadays, and I tell her, “Donna, who would have thought we would come such a long way? I wish to live many more years with you. Do you wish for the same?”
She barks. Taps me with her paws. Jumps into my arms. Showing me her unconditional love.
“I love you too,” I say.
Written by Shanice Mansukhani
As a sports enthusiast and former athlete, my journey through life has been full of learning and experiencing to make me the cheerful, free-spirited and energetic individual I am today. With a zest for stimulating conversations and deep thoughts, my world is one where I and those close to me bring joy in everything that life has to offer. Also, I enjoy everything Roger Federer, so if you’re a tennis glut like me, you know we have to talk soon!
Week 8, February 2021
