Snowy and the art of training humans

Snowy was our second dog. He would roam all over the colony roads, a sweet natured, good-looking dog, about 10 months old. He was such an attractive dog that many of the colony residents were toying with the idea of adopting him. He used to lunch and dine in style as he was offered meals by many kind families living around. We found out about this after we adopted him, as he was fondly recognized on our walks by all his former well-wishers.

Actually, we didn't adopt Snowy, it was the other way around. One day, he accompanied us up to our 3rd floor flat. Without hesitation, he entered and started inspecting all the rooms as if to check and see whether everything was suitable! All the while, Jippy, our little female, thrilled out of her wits at the sight of this handsome newcomer, kept dancing around the furniture, peeping at him.

He liked what he saw and for the next 13 years, we had the pleasure of looking after this wonderful dog. He was wise and even-tempered. The only thing he couldn't do was 'talk'.

Whenever he wanted a bath, which was about once a week, Snowy would go into the bathroom and wait for one of us to attend to him, glancing back impatiently to hurry us up. He had trained us well with regard to the numerous walks he required. He was always a little heavy, being fond of his food, but he was so agile that once he scrambled up a 12 foot cliff face without slipping or sliding at all. He was always on the lookout for imaginary rabbits.

Once when we left Bombay for a week, we left Snowy with a friend of ours who offered to take care of him for that time. A little female spitz called Kulfi also lived there. When Snowy came back home on our return, we got a frantic call from our friend a day later. Kulfi was pining for Snowy and refused to eat anything offered to her. We took Snowy back for a visit. Fortunately, this was enough for little Kulfi. She was so happy to see him and know that he might visit that she was back to normal in no time!

Towards the end of his life, we moved into a place with a small garden and Snowy, like an elegant old gentleman, would enjoy an occasional stroll by himself along a paved path around the lawn. When he finally passed away, we were broken hearted at having to part with this precious companion. All of us wept as we knelt around him, even the vet in attendance couldn't hold back his tears. Actually, maybe Snowy hasn't gone anywhere. We still smile and remember him and talk about him. Our Snowy was and always will be, 'good for the soul'.

Vivienne Choudhury