This is Lucy, an INDog-mix and Lalee's best friend. I think of her as my part-time dog though her real owner is my aunt Sunanda Das. My aunt's weekend bungalow in Nagaon is right next to our's, so Lucy naturally spends a lot of time at my place especially when I'm there with Lalee and Bandra.
Lucy has a one-of-a-kind personality which makes her a fun dog to be with. For instance, she rarely barks but has a repertoire of odd noises including a high-pitched neighing sort of sound which is my favourite. Then she makes some strange grunts and also the usual squeaky whines. She manages to combine a sweet docile demeanour around humans with a strong independent streak and a complete disregard for human commands.
Another defining trait is her busy trotting kind of walk with her head lowered.
Lucy's relationship with Lalee is rather complex. Though she is a few years older than Lalee and has been in Nagaon for much longer, she set the tone at their very first meeting by rolling over and giving other submissive signals. Since that moment she's been Lalee's devoted sidekick. Though Lalee is officially the leader it's really Lucy who decides their activities, what areas they are to explore, and what disgusting off-menu objects they are to eat (horse dung and decayed fish, that sort of thing).
One of Lucy's peculiarities is her reaction to dogs entering her territory. If the dog is accompanied by a human she tolerates it. But if it is unaccompanied she is extremely aggressive and chases it off. She's quite fearless with other dogs in most situations. My Bandra tried bossing her around a couple of times but was surprised when she leapt right back at him and bit him. The picture above was taken by Rohan Mukerjee - Lucy, Lalee and Bandra taking a short rest during their evening walk.
Lucy really loves the sea and swims quite often, unlike Lalee who prefers the sand.
Last week we passed a pair of not-very-friendly dogs on the beach, a male and a female who seems to be nursing pups. The two followed Lucy for a while, barking with hackles raised. Lucy didn't show any aggression at all but walked behind me with her tail tucked down. I was quite touched by Lalee's reaction. She had been watching in an undecided way - obviously the nursing bitch was not to be taken on lightly - but now she rushed a few feet towards them barking loudly, clearly angry with them for threatening Lucy. The hostile pair departed after that, and it all sorted itself out without my intervention, as these things always do.
Nagaon,
Alibag, Maharashtra
Photos: From top to bottom - first, third, fourth and sixth by Rajashree. Second photo by Kiran Khalap. Photo of Lucy, Lalee and Bandra taken by Rohan Mukerjee.
