PEPPER.... Paws of heaven which roamed planet earth once.........
My morning alarm of going for a walk which is inbuilt in my system did not bring in a news I would want to hear As I dragged myself out of the bed and freshened up, I checked my phone on the variety of texts that had presented themselves on my phone during the night. The topmost was the news of a DOG who had died the previous night.... I was despaired to read it...not that I wasn't aware of her departure in time to come but this soon??? I had just spend the day prior to the news, with the dog and his loving friend.
This dog was No ordinary one... I guess an epitome of selfless love and care and concern... Not very different from others I guess , but still stood apart in her own way. I remember my friend telling me how this stray walked in injured following his mom...and she was taken in by the family to nurture a strong bonding between my friend and her. I haven't had much chance of interaction with her.... guess I must have spent more time with her in her last few days than when she was alive and ticking ...reason being I didn't meet her much as she was kept away when we came and also she would wander off to her favourite haunt looking and soaking in the outside world from the precincts of the balcony.
The day i went to the vet when she was so sick that the vet had practically given up on her which was 2 weeks ago wasn't an ordinary one...I was surprised to see the energy level and inquisitiveness and the wagging tail (which I will NEVER forget). She just DID NOT appear to be someone who was dying. After my comment the vet reiterated it too.The only give away sign was her resignation to the treatment which I don't think she much cared about. She appeared just fine with pricking needles , injections and ultrasounds in a way it didn't trouble her any more. More so because Anando ... HER friend was by her side. When I got back home with her she quietly retired into Anando's room without a whimper or whisper. JUST satisfied to be where she was. A complete trust in the man who was tending to her.
I reminisce back to the time Anando and I had a trivial argument in front of her and she came nudging him to stop ..he got overwhelmed and pushed her away ... That day onward her warmth to me dissipated only to strengthen her bond with her favourite person. I don't understand till day what did I DO wrong to get her silent treatment. But the selfless and unconditional love dogs carry for their friends is inspiring. For her he could not be EVER wrong...and he NEVER was!!! Another incident just to narrate this dogs sensitivity was when the youngest dog in the family who is not very receptive to outsiders rushed growling at me ...this black angel stepped in ...guarded me close and staved off the other one with a growl and a posture so threatening that she had to back off.. This was the same dog who was giving me silent treatment but in the time she was required to act she appropriately stood up for what she believed in was right.
So coming back to her last few days...in retrospect with her few interactions with me ... In her last couple of days when I went to see her and spend time with Anando, as he was by himself... A little anxious, a lot worried, and a whole lot worked up, deprived of sleep and concern for his favourite being in this world, I saw a different kind of connect which she made with me and if words would allow me the liberty to express how and what I felt..it ONLY could be summed as her happiness to see me make her friend happy or enjoy few brief moments of comfort and laughter. She wagged her tail so vigorously on a day when she had no energy to move...it delighted me to think that she took a liking to me contrary to what I thought she felt for me. Acceptance is a virtue which leaves everyone content. Whatever it might be ...I KNEW she was just calmly enjoying the bliss of seeing Anando at ease. She worried for him the way he worried for her. The hours I spent with her I NEVER once saw her eyes close....the big black eyes were always open keeping an eye on what was happening around and how Anando was..she furtively shot glances here and there.
It pained me on the last day when I saw her fervently trying to move , Her body was visibly failing her..but her spirit did not want to slip away yet. The trip to the vet and seeing her bloated rib cage and laboured breath and the grim expression the vet carried.. It was clear she would choose the other world of bliss soon enough. Her dear friend carried her everywhere without an ado with so much love and fondness. the way she settled herself in his arms, it was like she had the whole world in her hands. When we got home after her drip and medication she tried to walk up the stairs but slipped once again. she tried to ease Anando's burden to whatever extent she could but failed miserably. She again settled herself in the middle of the room gazing at us with meaningful eyes.Whenever I passed her side she would wag her tail but it was in small slow movements now. Little had I known my pat on her soft black fur and a bye would mean a goodbye altogether. I believe she breathed her last only when she saw there were people back home and her dear most friend had company , she just knew it would be difficult for him if she left him when he was alone. She held on for as long as it was required and gave up so instantly. She was tired of fighting, of carrying on any further!!
This dog PEPPER taught me what selfless love is all about (humans incapable) What it is to trust someone ! What it is to look up to someone! What it means to care for someone in totality. And how your internal strength can make you go on for as long as you want. Humans preach lesson, write books, are made to understand...HOW, How I wonder these animal friend of humans understand it despite half our brain and wisdom? It's just there in them. That's what makes them so special and unique. A uniqueness of unique was Pepper... Our street mongrel.
She now rests in her heavenly abode ...we just left her burning cinders at "Paws to Heaven"...not her !!!!. Hope those cinders don't die within us, Her trip to G - 1254 has left us all enriched. To follow her in words, action and deed would be a perfect ode to her!
Hiranmay Karlekar