v Who is the real stuff toy?

Lucky

Life was weary, tiring and lonely,
I needed a companion
on my way.
Now I have someone
to show where to go,
I just let him lead the way.
Sometimes I need care and love,
all I have to do is just look
into his eyes.
Sometimes I need a hand to hold,
and his furry paws are all mine.
When no one is listening, he lends me a ear,
he doesn’t say much but he will listen forever.
He thinks I look dashing whatever I wear,
and he is glad to see me anytime, anywhere.
We all wish we had a faithful friend,
I guess I am just God-damn LUCKY.
I have to look no further,
I have all I need in my lil dog, LUCKY.

Yes, Lucky is my 6-year-old pet dog, whom I rescued from the street. My love for him holds no bounds. My family and me are ardent animal lovers and we take pride in caring for 15 healthy, neutered and vaccinated street dogs. These pariahs are lovable and can form excellent pet dogs, just like my dear Lucky!

v Come Bruno, let’s play…

Bruno

Labs are high-spirited and good-tempered four-legged buddies and I am blessed by one such sparkling gem. Bruno, my 3-year-old Lab, true to his nature… is very hyperactive and playful…ask anytime of the day, he is rocking…ready to roll. His unmatched gait and grandeur add more to his beauty…perhaps he is the most beautiful dog I can vouch for.

What makes him stand out amongst his peers is his sweet and obedient nature, especially with kids…he loves to care for them. Unlike Labs, he is very health conscious and extra careful about his food intake. He hates to be left alone and eats only when someone is around.

He simply goes crazy for his morning and evening walks, because it’s the time he gets to meet his buddies and have fun. His friends Scooby - Dane and Tyson - Boxer…are always waiting for him and they create magical moments together. He wants to be pampered and loved all the time and we also feel incomplete without him… we all love our Bruno and wish God to bless everyone with one such loving companion.

v Sammy and two and half seconds!

Sammy

His name is Sammy, but Aunty Kamala calls him Samosa. My Russian student cuddles him and calls him Samka, an affectionate term that means “Little Sam.” Sammy, an American Eskimo dog, has been gifted with a white coat, soft as silk, smoky eyes outlined in black look as if an expert make-up artist applied black eyeliner. His tail curls up like the typical Nordic dog tail designed to curl around the body and face to retain warmth.

On sunny and breezy day, while I relax on the backyard, my child dashes over to me. He springs up, slapping his front paws on the arm of my lawn chair and then jumps back down. Ever so gracefully, he does a pirouette; and his backside hits the yellow tie that holds up the badminton net causing the net to sag in the middle. His antics are the greatest fun of our lives and we simply smile all the way. His nose catches a whiff of some scent on the wings of a warm, gusty breeze and he lifts his nose in the air, closes his eyes, intoxicated with life. That pretty much sums up all pooches, I think. They engage in each activity completely. It’s meditative to observe such focus. For me, it’s like taking a mini-vacation. It’s an endless list of fun and frolic, as when we sit outside on glorious summer’s day, Sammy’s ear twitch up and down like cottony-white butterflies. The apple tree provides welcome shade for my Eskimo friend.

Two and half seconds was the time it took Sammy to win my heart with a peck on the cheek. It just takes two and half seconds for him to follow us to bed at night. And it is the same amount of time it takes for me to offer thanks that he is a part of our family.