A dog’s average life span is 12 years. Statistics, however, cut a sorry figure when you take into account the vicissitudes of ‘the subject to conditions clause’.
It’s a cruel world buddy where best friends have become fashion accessories to flaunt and dump with the season’s turn. Too many designer dogs are being shown the exit door once their fad ends. Mankind would still take ages to understand that despite all the brouhaha about breeds, it is still the same loyal loving heart that beats in every dog, be it the Pomeranian, poodle, mastiff or mutt.
A dog’s life
Chances are dear pup that you would remain a stray, destined for a lifespan on the road. My heart aches to break your dreams but the harsh reality runs like that. If you were to meet the fateful twist of being a stray, probably you would suffer the brunt of stones hurled at you. Some onlookers may playfully invite you with whistles and then shun you to agony yet you must neither lose your temper nor your faith in humanity. Your incisors are sharp but choose not to leave their marks on humans. We have a legacy of trust, loyalty and friendship to live up to and unlike our best friends, we still haven’t forgotten that.
You have to be very careful while crossing those lanes; the motorists won’t spare a second look at your corpse. And if you somehow lay them there panting for breath and seeping blood, chances are again slim that someone would take you to a vet.
Don’t fight among yourselves; it would only make matters worse. In a world, like it is today, the cauldron of callous, it makes no sense to fight amongst the species. Humans are much apt at it, always remember that religion is always the opium of the masses, and refrain from it!
Wag your tail at the well-disposed smiles for they may vivify a heart. Welcome the turn of seasons- the bleak visage of winter or the scorching sun of summer and every now and then, do steal an opportunity to wink at the new adventures that they bring with them. Grub & drink what you get yet desist from what your olfactory senses are dubious about.
Also, see: I am a stray dog
You would discover that the poorest of people may have the most genial hearts, that strangers are just friends waiting to be befriended. And remember my lad, as the lady always said, ‘Before you say anything about anyone, let your words pass through three gates- Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?’
And when one day you bid adieu to the world, don’t leave the stage with grudges in your heart. With a votive prayer, may your decease. Forgive and forget when you make the eventual transition to the other dimension. And as I read once, at the end of it you realize life is like playing on a see-saw: By yourself, all you get is the lows … the highs come only with a company even if it is that of the dog.
🙂 Thank you for this beautiful piece. I suddenly wish I had powers to change the world.