Myra and Sandy continued: Sandy's tale

All was well at Myradom till May ’07, when we realised we had spoilt our first pet beyond repair. We wanted our second to make up for that. Our vet had always advised us to bring in a pup soon, as Myra was getting set in her ways.

One day we got a call from an acquaintance (known to us from the vet clinic) who wanted help for an abandoned dog who was hurt badly by strays. We went looking for him and found him in a state of shock, with one ear torn and refusing to eat. I felt his sadness and realised he had no will to survive. We took him to our vet and asked about adopting him. He gave us the go- ahead, as the dog was very docile. Being about a year old he would be a good companion to Myra if she accepted him. We had to keep him in a hospital for a few days before we could bring him home. We took Myra to meet him. She sniffed him, looked us in the eye and wagged her tail. Probably saying “Dad, mom, do something, he is in bad shape.” He was kept in the animal hospital for nine days and we used to take Myra to meet him from time to time. Finally we brought him home.

The building kids have now switched allegiance. They find Sandy irresistible and Myra has faded into the background. Myra is jealous but has learnt to bully him to submit to her superiority.

Umesh, my husband, and I work hard at keeping them active. We have a “moushi” (“aunty”) who loves animals and is an intergral part of our family unit. We have as much help as required, hired as and when Myra or Sandy need it. Say for training or taking them to the park and so on. Whenever time permits we take them to a seaside resort at Manori (Dominica’s allows pets) or Bordi (Gool Kush) to enjoy a weekend. Myra and Sandy love to play together in the beach or garden. It is a pleasure watching them play and chase each other. We’ve made Myra our communicator as she has language due to her earlier obedience training. She takes her job as elder sister very seriously, and he is everybody’s darling, gangly and clumsy and all the more adorable. Myra is a “touch-me-not” pet and Sandy is “Ghodi sona” pet. He needs a lot of hugs and keens through the night if he misses someone. Myra has a quota of one hug a day and “no kisses please”. Ask us if we want to trade our life for anything else and you’ll hear a firm “NO.” Many a time Myra and Sandy fight over food or a dead housefly (!) My husband always says “Human error brings about conflict, so keep their food separate.”

Umesh and I have had pariahs as pets all our childhood. I still remember my Puppy , Sandy, Titoni as if it were yesterday, and he his Rocky, Boots and Patch. We know there are many more to follow. Myra and Sandy are both unique gems we love and cherish. Sometimes we can give a glimpse of our treasure to other like-minded ones.


Lata Bajaj