Tuesday, July 9, 2013

3 and 7!!!

 

gin shad me

 

One wet summer day some three years ago, just around this time of the year, a litter of pups were born in a secreted corner of the street behind our house in Hyderabad. Pariah even before they were born, like thousands of our Indian street pups…..

Little did we know that one special pup from that litter was destined to touch our lives like we had never imagined.

Shadow – our special boy born a pariah pup and now the most precious, most fiercely loved and adored dog in our household turns three today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my Darling Angel. It was a blessed day when you were born.

 

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(Shadow’s first walk the day after he came home)

 

 

My original little doll girl, my sweetheart pup, my first real dog Ginger is seven today.

How time flies!

It seems like just the other day that we picked up this cuddly, highly energetic, unutterably cute little girl in the dead of the night from our neighbour’s place. They didn’t want her, they said. She and her brother were being kept in one of their balconies, eating sleeping, peeing and pooping and playing right there because they had no time to take care of them.

They would try keep the boy but they were giving away the girl. Quick to remind us that she was a very special girl born to a ‘Best in Show’ mother and a highly honoured Police dog father, pedigreed carefully, a British lineage fit- for- show pup.

Alright!! Point taken! We paid and Ginger came home to live with us that night at almost midnight hours.

Shaking at the knees, doleful liquid eyes opened wide at this sudden change and separation from her sibling, stinking of poop n pee this little two and half months old fur bundle was just too cute for words!!

We settled her just outside the bedroom imagining she would sleep a tired sleep till the next morning when we could clean her up. She didn’t lose a minute in howling away to glory in full throated protest!!

A quick bath – she seemed to enjoy it – and a careful drying effort later she snuggled close and fell promptly asleep. It was 2 A.M. and the two of us were still trying to get a hang of this new addition to our lives while Ginger slept a dead sleep under the blankets, like that is what she had been doing all her life!

Little did I know that night that I had found my heart dog, my Velcro dog, my soul dog.

I have had dogs all my life but Ginger is my first real dog. Not my parents, not my brother, not any care-taker…it has always been I and P who have been taking care of her ever since that night.

She has been in both our lives ever since we have been together so she has literally grown with us. She made our little family complete long before Shadow and Buddy came along.

More than that it didn’t take me long to realise that Ginger was my dog…my soul dog. Once in a while your life is touched by a dog who seems connected to you in such a way it is beyond fathomable.

Ginger knows me like no one else. Often I find her reading my thoughts…like she would get up and be ready to get out of a room the moment I think about it, even before I’d move a muscle. She understands every letter, every word that we speak, every emotion, every mood that we do not say out loud and speaks so eloquently in her own way that I am sometimes overwhelmed by it all.

Her eyes, the wag of her tail, the tilt of her head, the way she takes my hand or my skirt in her mouth to take me where she wants me to go….there’s an entire language she speaks.

Utterly cuddly still at seven years but equally headstrong, gentle yet extremely strong willed, finicky (she’d demand a bath after her walks and go sit in the bathroom) yet capable of digging the deepest holes if she fancies, it takes me a while to accept that my little girl is actually a grown girl now.

When I look at the traces of grey on her muzzle, the whites on her eye brows and at the tip of her tail my heart gives a lurch….

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, My Gin- Gin girl. I don’t really need to say anything, do I ?

You know. Like always…..

 

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14 comments:

Arnov said...

Lots of birthday wishes to Ginger and Shadow from all of us!

jabblog said...

Happy Birthday to a very special girl. You landed on your paws the night you left your uncaring home and joined your forever home.

snoopydogknits said...

Happy Birthday Shadow and Ginger! Such wonderful stories about two such utterly adorable dogs!! Lots of love to you, Ros and Oscar xx

Lovable Lily said...

We LOVE Birthday's! Is there gonna be cake and a pawty too?

Happy, happy birthday Ginger and Shadow.

We wish you many more happy and loving years ahead.

Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Happy Birthday, Ginger and Happy Gotcha Day to Shadow.

We remember Shadow joining the family, but had never heard Ginger's story. We're glad they both found such a wonderful forever family.

Oh and Hi Buddy, wouldn't want you to feel left out.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Molly the Airedale said...

Happy Birthday, Ginger and Shadow! We hope that both of you are having the most special day with lots of treats and hugs!

Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly

Kelly said...

Best wishes to Ginger and Buddy!! Such precious photos of both of you.

Buddy looks so much like our Alice, tail and all (and Alice loves to hunt lizards, too!) Here's her story: http://ksrgmck.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/poor-puppies/

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

(¯`v´¯)
.`·.¸.·´
¸.·´¸.·´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ .·´HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINGER AND SHADOW!!!

I so enjoyed this post and reading about Ginger--I know how it is to have that bond and connection with a dog, and what a rare and treasured thing that can be and is--And speaking of treasure, that brings us to your very special boy Shadow. I remember when you opened your heart and home to him--Where is the time going for us, and for our sweet pups? They are all so lucky to have you as their family, and I feel lucky to have you as a friend!

2 Punk Dogs said...

Happy Birthday Shadow and Ginger! You're both very lucky dogs to have found such a great family. :)

Sohini said...

Loads n Loads of Love for both Ginger & Shadow...

I feel evry word of urs Geetalima wen u say .."ur soul dog.. u connect.. their language.."

God Bless u. God bless ur 3 cutie pies.. <3 to buddy too!!

Huggs!!!

Dougall-the-Scottie said...

Happy Birthday and Gotcha day guys!

Pat said...

Happy birthday to Ginger and to Shadow. Two very lucky, much loved dogs :) xx

fromsophiesview said...

Happy Birthday you 2 adorable doggies! Thanks for commenting on my Daddy Ron's Fb page....!

Cheers!
Sophie Doodle

Unknown said...

Belated wishes for the birth day guys. Hope u had a great day. When is Buddy's birthday?

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