tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73815635230772684412024-03-14T03:39:01.299+05:30Pawprints in the Sands of TimeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-66949058306836392672014-07-04T00:43:00.001+05:302014-07-04T00:43:15.473+05:30Migraines<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JXNxXVstEdQ/U7WrHcME7sI/AAAAAAAAIEk/ZMJG1Se23yQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_188%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_188" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-leSoS_BAXIo/U7WrJD_yN_I/AAAAAAAAIEs/akD697exsgc/Pawprints_188_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="355"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BcEuM_cOd5o/U7WrLA2izTI/AAAAAAAAIE0/pehJe7poQNE/s1600-h/Pawprints_189%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_189" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_189" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ob3CK_u9-oE/U7WrMZqD5jI/AAAAAAAAIE8/VEHHY5EFK6k/Pawprints_189_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="355"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eissnwjWA4s/U7WrNwaigRI/AAAAAAAAIFE/It9lbJU-Nd4/s1600-h/Pawprints_190%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_190" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ccdDT9V-OcY/U7WrO3aFU_I/AAAAAAAAIFM/EBXlJoD2I_s/Pawprints_190_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="349"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I don’t really know if it was I mirroring Mummy or Mummy mirroring me, but both of us haven’t been very well the last few days. Mummy’s migraine has been troubling her – it has been quiescent for so long now we’d all forgotten she needs to be careful about her sleep patterns and bright lights and noises and some food, but there it was back again troubling her so.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">May be it has to do with the weather that has been so moisture laden promising to rain and never actually doing so. So there she was, getting sick and feeling miserable, and I couldn’t but stop myself from doing the same. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Nothing wrong with me apparently, except the getting sick bit that is. No lack of appetite, no change in food and water intake, no dearth of energy so everybody is just putting it down to the weather, and the possibility that I might be mirroring Mummy and working up some acid.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">We are both trying to eat smaller, frequent meals hoping the reflux if any, will settle- difficult when you need to refrain from snacking on table treats but I like the ‘frequent meals’ bit!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Anyway, I’m faring much better than mummy. She isn’t still very keen on eating much and what’s actually good for her. Like plenty of fluids and yogurt. I love yogurt, by the way and could eat an entire bowlful at one go and then all of Mummy’s left over too. Did you know? Not that ‘eating at one go’ is a measure of my preference for one food over another, apparently! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Well, I’m digressing from the narrative. Like I was saying, I’m faring much better than mummy and have been keeping all my food down for the last two days. For that matter, Mummy has been too. And I guess those migrainous headaches are subsiding for she’s back on the computer.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So just in case you were working yourself up after reading my post, don’t. We are actually mending quite well. </font><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">May be the fact that the weather’s starting to behave is helping too. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Daddy’s plants look like his experiments are working! Soon, very soon I hope, I’ll have a nice, green, cool balcony to lounge in.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Wags,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Buddy</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pvXiP-JRJf0/U7WrQxysEpI/AAAAAAAAIFU/TYgb9zPAhZY/s1600-h/Pawprints_191%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_191" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_191" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AfmMngd7V28/U7WrSGRu4oI/AAAAAAAAIFc/Psq3OQH7_p0/Pawprints_191_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="365"></a></p> <p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic">The other day I happened to m</font><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic">eet the GM of this corporate hospital. A real gentleman, rare species these days especially in the corporate world of hard-core dash to the top, with a warm handshake and a genuine smile who still stands up for a lady, who instantly reminded me of his counterpart in another premier hospital I had chanced across for some work some time ago. The latter a pathetic excuse of a human being who lived ( did he really?) breathed and slept work. His every gesture insinuated chauvinism, every word oozed of opinionated beliefs that pursuing a hobby or volunteering to help animals are indicators of an unfocussed, incompetent professional! He of course had long since forgotten to smile.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic">One certain reason for a relapse of one’s migraines, for sure!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic">The world of corporate healthcare, like all other corporate fields, is largely about a relentless pursuit of success and wealth and in most cases at the expense of sacrificing one’s pursuit of happiness.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Century Gothic">Chance encounters with rare people who maintain vestiges of humanity in the midst of judgmental competition are enough to heal this world. In the first place, aren’t we doctors supposed to do just that? Heal?</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cb522132-0d55-45da-bd81-b0b59f552e3e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Acid+Reflux+in+dogs" rel="tag">Acid Reflux in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Migraine" rel="tag">Migraine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi" rel="tag">Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Gardening" rel="tag">Gardening</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-1445705899988334402014-06-24T22:04:00.001+05:302014-06-24T22:04:22.017+05:30BUDDY, SHERU and other blessings<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It has been over 10 days now since Ricky left. Like someone had said, ‘We didn’t realize we were making memories. We were just having fun’.</font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nVFbvXZC6ig/U6moHtnlKaI/AAAAAAAAIBw/f49GxuBUPsU/s1600-h/Pawprints_172%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_172" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_172" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H9PRw3aMH6o/U6moJep4zxI/AAAAAAAAIB4/B4s2wiTwSS0/Pawprints_172_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="545"></a> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2">( Finding ‘Our sign’ in an ancient stone sculpture at The National Museum )</font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Two Sundays came and went in a flash. There was so much to do. The weather’s changing fast from very dry and hot to moist and humid, and hot still! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">P has been working in the garden a lot potting new plants- this time trying out a few experiments with vermiculite instead of plain old soil. Quite a number of the plants look really promising while a few are sad and morose. It has been rather difficult this time to save the plants anyway, what with the terrible heat and almost zero humidity. Five of my precious plants just dried up and died. I’m really looking forward to P’s experiments that promise stronger roots that’ll keep the plants alive for sure. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8RQmuQbG6F4/U6moLE-KK7I/AAAAAAAAICA/qE4ZR9779h4/s1600-h/Pawprints_168%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_168" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_168" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q0qTeVWG-3A/U6moMZLTvaI/AAAAAAAAICI/9R1cxqphJlQ/Pawprints_168_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="353"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KmnqzdADQs0/U6moO5Jk8UI/AAAAAAAAICQ/PWNPT_u1nqM/s1600-h/Pawprints_169%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_169" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dER7a97mSQI/U6moQLIGFwI/AAAAAAAAICY/GMtV6MeoSlc/Pawprints_169_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="351"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wJvEWDVQNOI/U6moRNMhl9I/AAAAAAAAICg/6KeRDwSiaRM/s1600-h/Pawprints_170%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_170" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lkuo-sDhsiE/U6moSJ_n0vI/AAAAAAAAICo/EAFG7Ce6qFw/Pawprints_170_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="517"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dhjn42zyB7w/U6moTjPk6CI/AAAAAAAAICw/MCKOekz6e8I/s1600-h/Pawprints_171%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_171" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_171" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BHmxTA8HeRE/U6moUoxHK6I/AAAAAAAAIC4/dO_aNo9cbJE/Pawprints_171_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="349"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow seem pretty relieved to be able to stay out on their walks for longer now, with the stifling heat no longer forcing us all to get back to the air –conditioning.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--9dFVWXf-cs/U6moWgb9Q6I/AAAAAAAAIDA/q6_5PswOQBQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_173%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_173" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_173" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zHX2bErpoos/U6moXjwJGPI/AAAAAAAAIDI/vwV9Sy5EEwA/Pawprints_173_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="355"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Then there is football, of course. I do not want to get into the intricacies here but I feel rather like the Hogwart’s sorting hat at the moment. Which team does one root for? When your country isn’t playing, that is. ‘D-I-F-F-I-C-U-L-T, verry D-I-F-F-I-C-U-L-T!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">As I ponder over all the reasons that I’ve had to be thankful for this week, I’m grateful there are so many. One that so very close to my heart is Sheru.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L7BMvsLelOo/U6moZPIwxdI/AAAAAAAAIDQ/2ScAwu3HWzg/s1600-h/Pawprints_175%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_175" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FqCGjNtfuK4/U6moaBY8SGI/AAAAAAAAIDY/A_1M7Ju1u1s/Pawprints_175_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="353"></a> <p align="center"> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">My precious boy is fast regaining his strength. He is eating almost like when he was well and fit, and is walking all over the campus again. I no longer leave his food in his bowl at the gate like I used to earlier. Now I just take it down to him and sit talking to him till he finishes. Just to make sure he eats all of it.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Those early days after he had just come back from the shelter were so uncertain. He had lost almost all his appetite and wasn’t eating more than just a handful. Everyday I debated with myself about admitting him at the vet’s. But then there was this little feling that said all he needed was a lot of love and good food and rest, which he seemed to get at this place which he had known all his life. Kind words from you, my blog friends helped me more than you can imagine. And then there was Ricky. He used to say with all the innocence of a child, ‘Sheru HAS to get well. If I think he’ll die I get nightmares. I can’t sleep at night.’ Exactly his words. And may be they did their magic, for Sheru is definitely going to live. And like in the old days, he would lift his old fuzzy head up, sniff the air and wag and whine whenever I happen to pass by, even if it’s not food-time. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He has taken up permanent residence in our block (on the ground floor) near the lift to our apartment (which is on the fourth floor). Again, I’m thankful for the fact that no one has raised an objection to his being there. Someone has been leaving him food and water. Good intentions, I agree. But I somehow feel every dog deserves a little respect when it comes to food and I do not believe in throwing around pieces of bread, biscuits or rice on the floor. How much effort does it take to leave a disposable bowl or paper?</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Besides, Sheru doesn’t eat any of it so it’s just litter that might enrage some residents who aren’t all that dog friendly, which in turn might make things difficult for Sheru.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I haven’t told anyone anything but quietly asked the ‘garbage-guy’ to pick up any ‘stray food’ lying around. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">They are kind simple souls. Unless told, they never remove any of the food even when it is no longer edible. They imagine Sheru might eat some of it when hungry.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I explained that Sheru has his fill of fresh home-cooked meals and milk which is his favorite and will not go hungry so they need not hesitate to pick up uneaten food. Now at least there’s no litter. His water bowl lies undisturbed though and I often find it full when I go to fill it. Bless whoever has been taking the trouble to do that!</font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Continuing to count my blessings I come to today’s – Our dearest, sweetest Buddy boy has been with us now for five years! It was on this day, in fact just a few hours back from this hour one dry, warm evening in Hyderabad five years back that Buddy- then Tommy- came home to live with us. </font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Now, when I watch him snoozing on the sofa next to me watching me have my green-tea with half open eyes, hoping for a biscuit, I once again realize how he lives in a large place in my heart. He is at peace totally and doesn’t realize it is an important day. But as I watch him I know how important this day is for me- Us – in so many ways. It feels like he just came home the other day. Then again, sometimes, it feels like he has been with us forever….</font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dFXHs9Rhu2g/U6mobu3BcTI/AAAAAAAAIDg/slPrQjc6wMI/s1600-h/Pawprints_163%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_163" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_163" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AGkGjMWXNeg/U6mocuto_II/AAAAAAAAIDo/xZPMtgV03To/Pawprints_163_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="341"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HgReTk4rF5c/U6moeogbswI/AAAAAAAAIDw/B900-yBRL9s/s1600-h/Pawprints_165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_165" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_165" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mzDafKeQ9bU/U6mofsUi0mI/AAAAAAAAID4/tkBuof1fv0I/Pawprints_165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g29Vm3uGcco/U6mohfjMASI/AAAAAAAAIEA/atS9E-4GOos/s1600-h/Pawprints_166%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_166" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_166" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wNcA1Wtjito/U6moiXVQ7NI/AAAAAAAAIEI/PA_8ARuaisI/Pawprints_166_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Thank you, Buddy for being OUR Boy. I cannot be grateful enough that you are family. HAPPY ‘GOTCHA’ Day!!</font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:98b911b5-695a-4299-bc00-220537024e6c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy's+5th+Gotcha+Day+2014" rel="tag">Buddy's 5th Gotcha Day 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sheru" rel="tag">Sheru</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Gardening" rel="tag">Gardening</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FIFA+2014" rel="tag">FIFA 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi" rel="tag">Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Life" rel="tag">Life</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Family" rel="tag">Family</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Love" rel="tag">Love</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-6987251347138993472014-06-08T17:01:00.001+05:302014-06-08T17:01:35.494+05:30Can You tell?<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">A certain seven year old is holidaying with us….</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mAb3vgCZ_ew/U5RJez_J0eI/AAAAAAAAIAU/xbr9Y7tFDJ0/s1600-h/Pawprints_149%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_149" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_149" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bxpg8u_uXJE/U5RJgPHZWYI/AAAAAAAAIAc/GUCXpgzSq3k/Pawprints_149_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uuA0mfvwXlw/U5RJhuWdfxI/AAAAAAAAIAk/PhyOMxjRuVw/s1600-h/Pawprints_150%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_150" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V_ISFOagP9U/U5RJiiT2z0I/AAAAAAAAIAs/emsArpvcZMM/Pawprints_150_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-klTtrY7CY9A/U5RJkOmVEJI/AAAAAAAAIA0/TH15LNVyfRs/s1600-h/Pawprints_151%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_151" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8vnqNpdPTO0/U5RJlFws94I/AAAAAAAAIA8/UY0ElaLUpCE/Pawprints_151_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Thank you so much for your kind wishes and words for Sheru. They mean a lot. Sorry we haven’t been around much and haven’t been visiting blogs. We promise we will catch up soon.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Have a good week ahead.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Shadow</font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:80170de0-1599-4a35-ade2-e41b1950078a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ricky" rel="tag">Ricky</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Holiday+2014" rel="tag">Holiday 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi" rel="tag">Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-81238838674764169992014-06-07T02:51:00.001+05:302014-06-07T02:51:37.734+05:30A Story of Love..<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hvCAC65YSWg/U5IwynVm8uI/AAAAAAAAH_o/FBtqEhId4RM/s1600-h/Pawprints_148%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_148" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_148" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dUBQcOo_vys/U5Iw0D7nLvI/AAAAAAAAH_w/1n1iEzNyFiI/Pawprints_148_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="398"></a></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>He stood by Sheru’s side with folded hands, his forehead crinkled in concentration as he prayed. </em></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>‘This handband that I got, it’s for good luck. May be it’ll help Sheru get well’, he said earnestly.</em></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>And then he said something that left me speechless,’ If there isn’t much the vet can do for him, may be his time is up’. </em></font> <p><em><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></em> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">All of seven years, Ricky is wise beyond his years. And so amazingly kind, sensitive and insightful he makes me wonder if the stories of a new emerging breed of evolved humans are actually true… </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The day he arrived for his holiday here with us, it was a scorching hot typical June day in Delhi. But Ricky refused to stay indoors. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘I’d go out even if it’s 46 degrees C outside for a dog,’ he told me. Ever since he arrived, he has been helping me feed Sheru three times a day in addition to his usual walks with Ginger, Buddy and Shadow.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><strong>Yes, Sheru is back.</strong></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">That morning I woke up with a headache. In spite of a very tiring hot day I'd slept fretfully, debating with myself my decision to bring Sheru back from the shelter.<br>His external wounds are healed but that paw isn't going to be the same ever. He hobbles around slowly, almost painfully, just about tip toeing on it. The bones aren't aligned well. At his age and with his feeble constitution, it would be almost inhuman to subject him to anaesthesia and surgery. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Will he be able to cope? Will he be able to keep away from the cars? Should I let him be at the shelter for the rest of his life? I can't take him home, I can't be around all the time- it wouldn't be fair to him that I ask him to adjust to apartment life at this age and it wouldn't be fair to Gin, Bud and Shadow that I ask them to adjust with Sheru as he is. Am I right in bringing him back?<br>There was no turning back though once we were at the shelter gate.<br>There he was, looking so small and forlorn amongst the younger, robust dogs that competed with each other to get at the treats I'd taken and to leave their smells on my dress- I'd always thought it was more of a cat thing!<br>Sheru looked lost and sad. Over two weeks at this unfamiliar place with so much competition had taken a toll on my boy. His paw has healed well, but at the expense of his spirit.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Most parts of his drive back home, he tried hard to make sense of the moving world outside. When tired, he'd nap on my lap.<br>The guards were delighted to see him and promised to keep an eye on him. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But I was worried. Terribly worried because Sheru didn’t seem his old self. He’d caught a chest infection, had lost his appetite – probably the meds, the heat and everything new at the shelter - and was far too weak and sad. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He still responded to my touch though, woke up and drank a little milk. That night and the next morning, all he ate was a handful of chicken liver and rice. I’d been lacing his food with meds and vitamins, thankful for each mouthful that he took, hoping and praying I’d know if I need to make a decision. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Till Ricky came along. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘I don’t like to see Sheru like this,’ he says,’ I don’t want him to die. I’ll get bad nightmares if I think of him dying. I feel a little happy because he’s eating again.’</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It must be Ricky’s good luck charm , his deeply earnest prayers and a seven year Old's innocence that has revived Sheru. Today he walked all around the campus, passed potty in two days and ate more than he has eaten in the last three days. For the first time in five days, he wagged when I tousled the fur on his head. </font></p> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">That one moment of joy and of overwhelming gratefulness, I’ll remember for ever….</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">This evening I found Sheru in front of the lift to our home – does he actually know? </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MSl2N3bPKWA/U5Iw18OY2OI/AAAAAAAAH_4/qiMZCRR0TC8/s1600-h/2014-06-06-01-40-11_deco%252520%2525283%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="2014-06-06-01-40-11_deco (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-06-01-40-11_deco (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oRRITzDqf_U/U5Iw3WR7qeI/AAAAAAAAIAA/Ar26DFBGX1U/2014-06-06-01-40-11_deco%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="612"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:68ccbf39-ffc2-42f2-86ee-5663c25929cb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sheru" rel="tag">Sheru</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Update" rel="tag">Update</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ricky" rel="tag">Ricky</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Senior+dog" rel="tag">Senior dog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+dog" rel="tag">Indian dog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Feed+a+stray" rel="tag">Feed a stray</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-34673613971094880442014-05-31T14:12:00.001+05:302014-05-31T14:12:10.666+05:30A Staycation!<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">A scorching 43+ degrees centigrade, an umpteen number of heartrending, nerve wrecking events in addition to work and regular life in the past two weeks were all brewing into the perfect recipe for a nervous breakdown – it was all just too much. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">We put our paws down! </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">We need a break. NOW! </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Flurry of plans – do we escape to the Himalayas or find a quiet resort in some other place?</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">A dog needs, once in a while, to rediscover himself. What better way to do that than to go lose oneself in the hills – away from the city lights, the internet, phones – just breath in the fresh clean air, listen to the birds and watch the twinkling stars in the night sky. (Do you know? We never see the stars here in Delhi clearly. The lights are perpetually on and the haze dulls the view.How sad!) </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But it wasn’t to be. What’s that saying? – ‘<font color="#ffff00">A dog proposes but Mummy disposes’.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Well, apparently hill–climbing was out of the question because Buddy still hasn’t recovered fully from his limp. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So, after much deliberation, we decided to make it a ‘<font color="#ffff00">STACATION- Stay-at home-holiday’. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Which is the reason why we disappeared without pupdating you about Sheru and without telling you the incident with the Girls – Daffodil and Lily. (A harrowing incident – but the girls are fine now. We’ll come to it later)</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">We were on a HOLIDAY! No phones(at least not work related), no facebook, no blogging – just a Holiday!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Plenty of good food, some photography, some movies, exploring our museums, the cultural events and exhibitions by day and the city parks by evening. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j4pxV3ok9Dg/U4mUyRKLqaI/AAAAAAAAH6Y/xp17v0gyib8/Pawprints_140%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img title="Pawprints_140" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jm5hNZiq83I/U4mU3nNvBMI/AAAAAAAAH6g/jnscm2XYaJY/Pawprints_140_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="326"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Se2E4nfCtHo/U4mU544RAcI/AAAAAAAAH6o/iEYOAtIUm6I/s1600-h/Pawprints_124%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_124" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_124" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2TptsXKHTDI/U4mU7HCDfOI/AAAAAAAAH6w/-0j4o3pLmMc/Pawprints_124_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" height="331"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--kKqYiwZrkk/U4mU8_4J2yI/AAAAAAAAH64/Ovc1QRRPb3U/s1600-h/Pawprints_123%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_123" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_123" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UQ8YTe3-khU/U4mU9zYPlgI/AAAAAAAAH7A/aePxeq_XtVE/Pawprints_123_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-irqbCBWBQcc/U4mVAfW3cvI/AAAAAAAAH7I/KjYx0BQ7Jx8/s1600-h/Pawprints_138%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_138" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_138" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xtYKF3giVXw/U4mVB9fH_cI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/dgzLMjPiCfE/Pawprints_138_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">When night fell, we went on long drives, played fetch in the parks at India Gate till they switched off the lights at the monument and almost everyone else but the lone ice-cream man hoping we will buy yet another ice-cream, left. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s4WFNSbCUXM/U4mVCs6KcAI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/7cUNWyRxuhg/s1600-h/Pawprints_125%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_125" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_125" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SM2lvqm3btc/U4mVET-qjoI/AAAAAAAAH7g/pY4phFL88x4/Pawprints_125_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="343"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_2IXt2X3CCc/U4mVFsm-XUI/AAAAAAAAH7o/fKSBFvZupkc/s1600-h/Pawprints_126%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_126" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_126" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6UYFs2WKuXM/U4mVG6mTwXI/AAAAAAAAH7w/QxsY-xNStwE/Pawprints_126_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="343"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LfXVkrSGe_E/U4mVIFcd1YI/AAAAAAAAH74/JTBn0wrGWII/s1600-h/Pawprints_127%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_127" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_127" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0CqltA0J_QA/U4mVJbzH4LI/AAAAAAAAH8A/gqNnTdufOKM/Pawprints_127_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIu64S8-umQ/U4mVKUN2_4I/AAAAAAAAH8I/7pl22URKQl8/Pawprints_133%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img title="Pawprints_133" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6y070uCqLbI/U4mVOiQggOI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/e5o9jYhcK3I/Pawprints_133_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0k3lUnxrhUY/U4mVQY8N7zI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/9I4M3xhACWo/s1600-h/Pawprints_121%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_121" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SxmAjm3CyGI/U4mVSw6mg2I/AAAAAAAAH8g/XFtzVo-Gf6Y/Pawprints_121_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="351"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7fljuYZ581c/U4mVYG_aKAI/AAAAAAAAH8o/mguS_ME6N_E/s1600-h/Pawprints_122%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_122" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_122" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-agxXi60Irrk/U4mVZalosWI/AAAAAAAAH8w/QMRPcNIGZOY/Pawprints_122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="353"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ttUD3Rlij7M/U4mVbptJfNI/AAAAAAAAH84/uo41yWQo46Y/s1600-h/Pawprints_134%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_134" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_134" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I-oShfCZq0Y/U4mVc2B5C3I/AAAAAAAAH9A/Rn3FRjVtQ_A/Pawprints_134_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="349"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v4WiPooVyvc/U4mVepKXQkI/AAAAAAAAH9I/dS_5yW3vK84/s1600-h/Pawprints_135%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_135" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--tfszk-0VOM/U4mVf09rPZI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/9jkHHpsrrdM/Pawprints_135_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="336"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1vNVDeH3aU4/U4mVhfOyWlI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/poIjZHOF6rg/s1600-h/Pawprints_137%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_137" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5W35pOYa9Js/U4mVib631QI/AAAAAAAAH9g/DSw0bpNNbwA/Pawprints_137_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="343"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1wJLUqQ9YM0/U4mVkJ5iysI/AAAAAAAAH9o/DDWXTCKlh-A/s1600-h/Pawprints_129%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_129" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_129" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OX2WMHAqslw/U4mVldmO3XI/AAAAAAAAH9s/NcElS_hIw1Q/Pawprints_129_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="345"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M0bM0yviobo/U4mVnEa5NZI/AAAAAAAAH94/wL3XwlhArr4/s1600-h/Pawprints_130%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_130" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_130" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y2H4Thv3uAs/U4mVoBBoLlI/AAAAAAAAH-A/rf1LIxlyBRA/Pawprints_130_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="341"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V-ggal1-IoA/U4mVpzqJ3_I/AAAAAAAAH-I/zu8es3-jJXw/s1600-h/Pawprints_131%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_131" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_131" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1N9EW03TW8w/U4mVrOLW6mI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/RbAuO-b3dgA/Pawprints_131_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9BFyt2Cn3n8/U4mVs7fQbAI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/aGxpg8gig7U/s1600-h/Pawprints_141%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_141" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A-I6JJMsyjg/U4mVuN8SeqI/AAAAAAAAH-g/Nl1ckT77BmQ/Pawprints_141_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It was rather fun. And it seems to have ended too soon. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">And we all seem to have got back from the brink of losing our sanity! </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">There was this terrifying storm that lashed our city last evening with a ferocity it seemed like the world was at it’s end. All due to the intense heat of the last few days creating a low pressure zone. As dust blew at speeds of 90 kilometers per hour many lives were lost, trees uprooted, electricity suspended and thousands lay stranded in the underground metros and massive traffic jams. Thankfully, our corner of the city escaped without much damage except for a few uprooted trees.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Thanks a lot for all your wishes for Sheru. We have been in touch with the shelter and Mummy & daddy went visiting him. He is recovering well. There’s a storm alert so it isn’t really a good idea to try bring him home this evening as per the original plan. If all goes well, we might go fetch him tomorrow morning. And if the vet gives a thumbs-up, he might get pampered at a dog-spa before he comes home!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ccB5ZRaAs48/U4mVvQe38fI/AAAAAAAAH-o/phqRfX9x_VM/s1600-h/Pawprints_118%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_118" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_118" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5O_UySped9s/U4mVwY_14qI/AAAAAAAAH-w/WK1dxVznbao/Pawprints_118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XR2J_F4rMLk/U4mVyAH_pOI/AAAAAAAAH-4/Ii0ViKks3FI/s1600-h/Pawprints_119%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_119" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_119" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TKPfswn5iX8/U4mVzf2ymzI/AAAAAAAAH_A/wFfIutM9M24/Pawprints_119_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="282"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pb4GhUkInEA/U4mV1R-sgeI/AAAAAAAAH_I/AbMUMU2R1D0/s1600-h/Pawprints_120%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_120" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_120" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SMyqUREK-js/U4mV2hM09GI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/JSKMhyP0D3M/Pawprints_120_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="327"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Hope you are all well and hope your summer isn’t as harsh and un-relenting as ours.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Wags,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:efa7fa03-360b-4142-837c-fdb98dca1fe2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Holiday+2014" rel="tag">Holiday 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Stay+at+home+Holiday" rel="tag">Stay at home Holiday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/New+Delhi" rel="tag">New Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sheru" rel="tag">Sheru</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Explore+Delhi" rel="tag">Explore Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi+storm+May+30th+2014" rel="tag">Delhi storm May 30th 2014</a></div> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-42211290502331799202014-05-20T12:16:00.001+05:302014-05-21T01:21:29.931+05:30All your prayers that you can spare….<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It was by habit that I packed three portions of dinner for my street pups last night. When I realised it was going to be only Daffodil and Lily waiting for me, there was a lump in my throat. But I was not prepared for the surge of sadness that overwhelmed me when I went down to the gate and saw Sheru’s empty bowl. I had not realised just until that moment how integral a part of my life the familiar figure of the 14 year old pup with salt and pepper fur has become.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bWugPfqtc3s/U3r6K4RcEII/AAAAAAAAH5U/5upM1K7cp1I/s1600-h/Pawprints_113%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_113" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_113" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-thzywIbSI-U/U3r6M943JpI/AAAAAAAAH5c/SMEMPLDZzDE/Pawprints_113_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="529"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dJeFm6ZBONM/U3r6OZk6-wI/AAAAAAAAH5k/8N7SKN0meGM/s1600-h/Pawprints_114%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_114" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_114" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dW37zNbMnag/U3r6PSxfLUI/AAAAAAAAH5s/s18ns7Tqbc0/Pawprints_114_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="528"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It isn’t like he always sits there waiting though. On many an occasion, I would need to go look for him all over our apartment complex in his favorite lounging corners that I’m familiar with now. Till last year it was easier. He would come hobbling on his rickety, arthritic paws as soon as he heard me call out for him, sniff hard to make sure I got his dinner and would follow me till the guard house by the gate where his bowl is kept. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But of late it has been difficult to find him. He can no longer see well – his eyes thickly clouded by cataract – and has lost almost all his hearing so he can’t hear me searching for him.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He would jump up startled at my touch and then begin his whining and sniffing ‘ Is it you with my food?’.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I would let him get a whiff of his dinner and he would invariably follow me to his bowl. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He loves milk and chicken. I always give him, Daffodil and Lily ( my two girls at the gate) steamed rice, some boiled pulses, a bit of vegetables and chicken. Actually I cook for six whatever I cook for Gin, Bud and Shadow for dinner.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">This has been a part of my nightly routine once I get back home from evening clinic. The pups know. They follow my car on days I’m late till some distance from the gate, Sheru often standing in the middle of the lane right in front of my car whining while the girls prefer to stay back outside the campus gate. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It is an overwhelming feeling – a privilege actually - to have him waiting for you and asking for dinner when you know he cannot see or hear you. Somehow he senses and he trusts.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">On Sunday morning, Sheru was hit by an errant driver. </font><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The guards called up ‘ Sheru has been run over. Can you come and check on him?’</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He had deep cuts on his belly and hind paws, lacerations and open wounds and a very badly injured hind paw that looked like it might be fractured. But he stood up and whined, ‘It’s paining. I’m hurt’, he seemed to say. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">P dressed up the wound and I called Gin, Bud and Shadow’s vet. He would see Sheru after 5 pm. By evening, his paw was badly swollen and though he stood up he was crying in pain and dragging it. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It was bad. Might be a fracture but there wasn’t any dislocation. Mostly a lot of swelling and oozing from the open wound but that made it difficult to clinically assess much. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">We discussed shelters and finally the vet suggested one he said he trusted. So on Sunday night, after preliminary medication, P and I drove down and left him there. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mANTsA_w4DA/U3r6RQNkXRI/AAAAAAAAH50/faecvsjgJbw/s1600-h/Pawprints_112%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_112" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_112" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i9WxSM93D_Y/U3r6Sp1f-iI/AAAAAAAAH58/0K8o83sE9so/Pawprints_112_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="438"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He was scared and in pain but again, like always he overwhelmed me with his infinite patience and unquestioned trust. He would sit up and look out the windows but for most parts all the way to the shelter which was about 35 kilometers away, he cuddled up on my lap and slept. Like he was tired, just very tired. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">There are about 350 to 400 homeless, injured and abandoned pups of all breeds, shapes, sizes and temperament in this shelter. It’s full beyond capacity and bursting at the seams. But like they put it, ‘their gates are always open for just one more injured and sick dog’!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The vet refused to accept his fees and the shelter took Sheru in. Little acts of kindness so rare these days.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Sheru, I was informed is eating well and settling in, in spite of his injuries, hundreds of new smells and unfamiliar quarters. Which is a saving grace I’m sure. However much I’m dying to bring him home, I can’t manage to look after him on a full time basis. Left out at the gate, there would be no one to watch over him and ensure he wouldn’t hurt himself again. I can only feed him and take care of his medications but what he needs now is to be safe till he is up on his paws and the open wounds heal. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I can’t help but keep him at the shelter now for some more time where he’d be safe, get regular meals and veterinary care.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">No news today morning, which I assume is good news. But I’m going over for a visit this evening.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Please do keep my precious old boy in your thoughts and prayers and send some healing vibes his way. I need him to recover fast, start walking and hobbling and whining. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I miss him….</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:22dddb1f-114c-43c0-be12-f850a377c827" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sheru" rel="tag">Sheru</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Car+Accident" rel="tag">Car Accident</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+adoption" rel="tag">Dog adoption</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sai+Ashram+Animal+Shelter" rel="tag">Sai Ashram Animal Shelter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi" rel="tag">Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/India" rel="tag">India</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+dog" rel="tag">Indian dog</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-90648802096759281612014-05-15T00:57:00.000+05:302014-05-15T00:57:51.231+05:30WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–Daddy and Us and WHO??!!<p> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4t8Ie3-qREc/U3O7UntYx3I/AAAAAAAAH4Y/aHkmt1DPoCo/s1600-h/Pawprints_109%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_109" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_109" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gYbzHHEOWns/U3O7WfQf6sI/AAAAAAAAH4g/Kpr9MYb-x9k/Pawprints_109_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="353"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H2jig2vkGvg/U3O7ZGO-QQI/AAAAAAAAH4o/IKdLPG5RLqk/s1600-h/Pawprints_108%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_108" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_108" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w-XLrBe6H9s/U3O7aTabLMI/AAAAAAAAH4w/nBeg39bVvms/Pawprints_108_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ErT40WgsXU/U3O7cztOREI/AAAAAAAAH44/qO3wKMStVHU/s1600-h/Pawprints_110%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_110" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_110" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YJKWcjRdnHw/U3O7eoaSR6I/AAAAAAAAH5A/R5cHz9cbX2w/Pawprints_110_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:53e2f881-1615-4213-bc52-3af8520efad7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wordless+Wednesday" rel="tag">Wordless Wednesday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Labrador+Retriever" rel="tag">Labrador Retriever</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+Dogs" rel="tag">Indian Dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+Adoption" rel="tag">Dog Adoption</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Park+Dog" rel="tag">Park Dog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Morning+Walk" rel="tag">Morning Walk</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-53885490223029351712014-05-14T01:31:00.001+05:302014-05-14T01:31:42.238+05:30It’s done!<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cM2-ghSgtxQ/U3J5yKGmn7I/AAAAAAAAH3E/PwH11nwsN_s/s1600-h/Pawprints_098%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cM2-ghSgtxQ/U3J5yKGmn7I/AAAAAAAAH3M/ykr88FCcWeI/s1600-h/Pawprints_098%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_098" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ov82XuQZl8Q/U3J53cH_-2I/AAAAAAAAH3U/BOHLq5DCahs/Pawprints_098_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="349"></a></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The ink is supposedly indelible should be impossible to wash away for at least a week. But it faded from day one and disappeared by the end of day 2! Unlike the blaring newspaper headlines every morning that didn’t seem to talk about anything else except what one candidate said about another and what rules were broken by high profile politicos for the last one month.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Finally, after a long drawn out drama, the multi-phase polling in the world’s most populous democracy ended last evening. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">In Delhi, there was no dearth of incentives to encourage people to go vote. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Show your inked finger – buy one exotic lunch buffet and get another free! Get fifty percent off on all salon services on poll day if you are inked! Upload selfies of your inked finger and stand a chance to win a holiday for two!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But the drama is far from over. From all that has been happening one is inclined to be concerned that the large electorate hasn’t quite managed to decide on an absolute answer, in spite of more than average polling. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">814 million registered voters. An overall average of 65% voted. Well, about 600 votes, give or take a few millions!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">They say a brisk voter turnout indicates ‘vote for change’. Not good for the ruling political party but then, in today’s scenario I wonder if we have managed to elect a government that will be stable enough to last a full five year term. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">What a mess that will be! Re-elections – like we have all the time and money in the world to indulge in sheer wastage! I am not sure I’m ready for another round of debate and drama, which, like an eminent columnist said the other day, wouldn’t even qualify for a college debate – it is so irrelevant.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But amidst all these emerges some <font color="#ffff00">heart warming stories</font> that make you wonder – about those who fought for the freedom of our country and who set out to mold a free India – what made them tick? What made them different, who were these people?</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Shyam Saran Negi – a 97 year old walked several kilometres to the polling booth to cast his vote at 6:55AM on 7th of may 2014 along with his 92 year old wife Hira Mani. The first person to vote that day in his constituency at Kalpa, the little Himalayan village in Himachal Pradesh. Incidentally, the polling booth was at the very school from which he had retired after a service of 23 years.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yu8FFzeWmD4/U3J54yJZScI/AAAAAAAAH3c/PEXly4hRAO0/s1600-h/shyam_sharan_negi_1399464759_540x540%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="shyam_sharan_negi_1399464759_540x540" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shyam_sharan_negi_1399464759_540x540" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SuSXsOZlNkU/U3J57GXoYDI/AAAAAAAAH3k/DJgvo1ZEuzo/shyam_sharan_negi_1399464759_540x540_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="314"></a></p> <p align="center">( Photo courtesy PTI )</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">What’s amazing is that Mr.Negi was the first person to cast his vote in Independent India in 1947 and has since then never missed a single general election, often trudging through heavy snow to reach the polling booths. The state Election Commission had appointed Negi it’s poll ambassador for campaigning in the tribal areas in the state and this grand old man also received a lot of media attention when he was featured in a Google India campaign video. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Negi was cheered on by local well-wishers and honoured with flowers, a shawl and scarf by the Deputy Commissioner of Kinnaur where his constituency is when he emerged from the booth after voting.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">"I’m happy to get yet another chance to vote”, he said. “At 97, if I can vote, there’s no reason why the youth cannot. I Want India to be led by an honest leader, a leader who is not corrupt in any way”.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"> ‘AMEN’!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6hAEohN-CUM/U3J6AOn81UI/AAAAAAAAH3s/mbgKz6Obh94/s1600-h/Pawprints_102%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_102" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9E_8cRGm5_8/U3J6Cb-uKRI/AAAAAAAAH30/r-jx_wWRAxw/Pawprints_102_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="359"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NUW-_SLVz9M/U3J6GB6YjFI/AAAAAAAAH38/PA86ZGqKwXQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_103%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_103" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AistMmbH3co/U3J6ISsq2EI/AAAAAAAAH4E/3X2-hYqe418/Pawprints_103_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:61923587-18c5-4f78-9129-7766ea1a4ee0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/General+Elections+India+2014" rel="tag">General Elections India 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shyam+Saran+Negi" rel="tag">Shyam Saran Negi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/First+voter+of+Independent+India" rel="tag">First voter of Independent India</a></div> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-89065520160587066632014-05-10T23:57:00.001+05:302014-05-10T23:57:36.585+05:30Storm!!<p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mEIP3fH0t40/U25u38Mw6vI/AAAAAAAAH14/VGT9HFC7xz8/s1600-h/Pawprints_092%25255B1%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_092" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_092" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zFDnq2oMbIs/U25u7VQH9II/AAAAAAAAH2A/fDq7U4Yanas/Pawprints_092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="548" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R3xLFD1nFr4/U25vEu6D6FI/AAAAAAAAH2I/c-dytWvuUeQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_094%25255B2%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_094" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_094" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tFRp9q2hU0s/U25vLjs5xZI/AAAAAAAAH2Q/4R42gJWElnw/Pawprints_094_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="527" height="350"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DlqOyCQ4nRw/U25vVhDAoeI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/_CdpqiDk15I/s1600-h/Pawprints_096%25255B1%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_096" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mM7FhECNbEQ/U25vZYF8c3I/AAAAAAAAH2g/Ahb7b9-3tsk/Pawprints_096_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="539" height="358"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Daddy is away on a work related conference, so it is just us and Mummy tonight. Our walk this evening was a short, quick affair. There’s a storm brewing, I have been sensing it since our walk, and now it’s here! We are snuggling close to Mummy so she won’t be scared by the loud thunder. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">After the dust and heat of the past few days, rains are very much welcome. But I wish it came alone and did not bring along thunder and lightening. It’s nice and windy outside, fresh earthy smells and all. It would be really nice to open all the doors and windows and let the cool air in. But we can’t do that. Loud sounds often prove too scary for Mummy and I always need to snuggle close to calm her down till they stop. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-epVnp881AF8/U25vh0pDYuI/AAAAAAAAH2o/xaEeSNFj8uc/s1600-h/Pawprints_097%25255B1%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_097" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_097" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OZxCPSZQRds/U25vlbiBczI/AAAAAAAAH2w/xeR1BtA_WZE/Pawprints_097_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="542" height="360"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Music often helps but since it’s weekend we have decided to settle in ‘The Den’ and watch a movie. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Have a nice weekend, everypawdy! Hope your whole family is home.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Ginger</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:83dd6953-4190-495f-b9ed-e8f174fa5dd4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Storm" rel="tag">Storm</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Movies" rel="tag">Movies</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Home+alone" rel="tag">Home alone</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Weekend" rel="tag">Weekend</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-27001881907975765532014-05-09T00:42:00.001+05:302014-05-09T00:42:53.398+05:30Me? A BAD Dog? ?<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NXzO2KPs1RQ/U2vWvcYHXlI/AAAAAAAAH08/JmEC_WhnBVQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_088%25255B2%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_088" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_088" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IgWzB5Jb_eg/U2vWy9Y-HXI/AAAAAAAAH1E/tc5gM-StyeU/Pawprints_088_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="527" height="358"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I can’t help it. It’s the weather. Everything’s so dry my fur and my paws feel flaky and itchy. Then there are the mosquitoes on our nightly walks. They seem to prefer my black fur and gravitate in hoards! Mummy puts on some repellant cream just before I venture out which seems to help a bit but there are still those smart ones that remain undeterred. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Inspite of Mummy’s ministrations I have been itchy, especially where the harness rubs into my fur. Then there’s this pawticularly itchy spot at the base of my tail that’s really troublesome. So yesterday, when no one was looking I chewed off all the fur so there’s a large 2 inch long furless raw patch! </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It felt really good! </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Unfortunately Mummy wasn’t in the least bit amused. Well, you’ve to agree it wasn’t as bad as Buddy chewing off a part of his paw-pad (YES! He did just that sometime back!) but apparently it wasn’t acceptable.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So ‘SHREEIIIEK! Shadow has eaten his tail fur! Wash, scrub, medication’ later there was this thick layer of smelly cream covering the area I had worked so hard upon. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘Don’t lick, Okies Shadow baby? You’re a goody boy’, Mummy snuggled close and returned to her book. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Normally I let stuff rubbed into me be. Unlike Buddy who has to lick, chew, eat everything I know what’s good edible stuff and what’s not! But this spot was - like I’d told you - pawticularly itchy. So when Mummy stopped my chin-rub and stuck her nose deeper into her new book, I decided I could work on it again. After all it is my tail! So I licked off that smelly cream before it could dry and chewed off some more fur.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I don’t know what brought mummy back to the world but suddenly there she was - ‘SHREEEIIK! Shadow has licked off the medication!’</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">SIGH!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Tooth brushing and rinsing hard followed, as if it was going to help. Ministrations on my tail was repeated and I was called ‘A BAD BAD Dog!’ </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Me, a BAD Dog? After being the most tolerant and accepting of Mummy’s ministrations always? I don’t see where my fault is. Shouldn’t Mummy have paid better attention to me instead of her book? </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I don’t think I want to talk to her or lounge close to her or give in to her hugs ever again. And I am not going to come when called. In fact I’m going to sulk!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oXuAkQ3pgMo/U2vW7Nk3JFI/AAAAAAAAH1M/DxdUUkB01EY/s1600-h/Pawprints_090%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_090" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_090" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1v8NhpR32I/U2vW-nr27_I/AAAAAAAAH1U/BZ8H3oUtAG0/Pawprints_090_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="540" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_v1Shjo0RRU/U2vXIv8FP8I/AAAAAAAAH1c/GMzfPYvJgN0/s1600-h/Pawprints_089%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="Pawprints_089" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-icalSx6Yqek/U2vXMWC-I8I/AAAAAAAAH1k/CMt-6aLtMzI/Pawprints_089_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="549" height="373"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">SULKING,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Shadow </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:911155d5-8026-4db1-ad42-be4115d7dd22" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+Dog" rel="tag">Indian Dog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+Adoption" rel="tag">Dog Adoption</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Summer+allergies+in+Dogs" rel="tag">Summer allergies in Dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Allergic+itch+in+dogs" rel="tag">Allergic itch in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Itchy+dogs" rel="tag">Itchy dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+allergies" rel="tag">Dog allergies</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-41127397914741060152014-05-07T00:38:00.000+05:302014-05-08T00:39:27.245+05:30WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–Shadow<p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QZtAz3-qJqI/U2qE37wdGzI/AAAAAAAAH0k/D5AaCNVUdU4/s1600-h/Pawprints_042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eR2MvK-unk0/U2qE5NJV45I/AAAAAAAAH0s/QEMReMBYcCM/Pawprints_042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="368"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6408bc37-8a68-453a-b176-a43c568966ad" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wordless+Wednesday" rel="tag">Wordless Wednesday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+Dogs" rel="tag">Indian Dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+adoption" rel="tag">Dog adoption</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-79984571564773914572014-05-03T13:44:00.001+05:302014-05-03T13:50:33.036+05:30Any Snoozing preferences?<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ThohBEu9_3k/U2Sk_tUNP1I/AAAAAAAAHy4/P7PrttBEWsU/s1600-h/Pawprints_085%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_085" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_085" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VYaaCaOqAi8/U2SlBX72jQI/AAAAAAAAHzA/EDrHxUwVq1A/Pawprints_085_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="352"></a></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">There's no way he can fit under that coffee table but Buddy insists on snoozing at that spot, twisting and turning and fidgeting and grunting and oftentimes falling asleep with his head hanging over the wooden bar. Hence the pillows so he doesn't wake up with a stiff neck. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">Maybe he is worried the sky will fall on his head- this constant obsession of sleeping 'under something'!<br>In another life, he might have been in Gaul. Budmatix? !!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kgGBLfYN1l0/U2SlDHU1U2I/AAAAAAAAHzI/T2VJBfWUSwc/s1600-h/Pawprints_083%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_083" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_083" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QmXpsJvXkOA/U2SlElcj1KI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/kNmEMuwO5EQ/Pawprints_083_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="361"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">My Shadow Puppy, true to his name, forever follows me around untiringly till I settle down, when he’d come cozy up to me. Often, he would wait outside the bathroom attached to the utility room and fall asleep in this favourite corner of his! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">And to my utter distress, almost always in weird positions I am convinced will give him a sprained neck someday!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UM7NrxV9lR0/U2SlGVyL3NI/AAAAAAAAHzY/3bcUWNFr9-0/s1600-h/Pawprints_079%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_079" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_079" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N6a6mWnWiQQ/U2SlHolaoBI/AAAAAAAAHzg/tEl8QC-Npxo/Pawprints_079_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a9HP_G5IVwY/U2SlJSBTAOI/AAAAAAAAHzo/jgBO_bYGFEQ/s1600-h/Pawprints_080%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_080" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xgQrNgdiK8c/U2SlKYS1pYI/AAAAAAAAHzs/Wlaq7a7QZe8/Pawprints_080_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="395"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8jFn_5ogIKY/U2SlMpj5cpI/AAAAAAAAHz4/gKZbMk_iy9Q/s1600-h/Seista%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Seista" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Seista" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_5i3mkPF24I/U2SlNtBfgEI/AAAAAAAAH0A/iqT5HguxmwU/Seista_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="272"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">Ginger is my 'shadow dog' too. She follows me around EVERYWHERE - ever since she was a pup till this time and date - come rain n thundershowers when she'd pull me by my skirt insisting I hurry up and settle down ;or come hot summer winds when she'd wait patiently hot and panting, unwilling to go settle in the airconditioned rooms till I'm done.</font></p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"> <p><br>However,when it comes to matters of sleep, Ginger simply doesn't believe in inconveniencing herself ! </p> <p>She wants her floor cushions or the bed or the sofa or the garden seater. Her Royal Highness wouldn't lie down but pace around looking rather displeased until the bed is made, the cushions dusted and straightened and the sheets changed!!</p> <p>My fussy Princess!!</font></p> <p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YImIHSj7xlA/U2SlQzCDj_I/AAAAAAAAH0I/RyhR_t1bnRU/s1600-h/DSC_1035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_1035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--OF0rSmn6tc/U2SlSdzpV4I/AAAAAAAAH0Q/LZDeR4FIuIc/DSC_1035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="355"></a> <p align="center"> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Maiandra GD">It’s very dry, dusty and hot outside. Typical May in Delhi. Though we look skywards and hope for rains the dark clouds that come floating by float away unrelenting and we are stuck with a merciless sun! Everything around looks starved for water which is why I fished out this last picture from our walks one beautiful rainy morning when the world around had burst into a myriad hues of green… </font> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Maiandra GD">Have a lovely weekend, Friends! Hope your days are greener than ours!</font> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Maiandra GD"></font> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Maiandra GD"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b0884455-5134-48a4-b74e-e57639741fcb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/New+Delhi" rel="tag">New Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Snoozing+positions" rel="tag">Snoozing positions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mundane+days" rel="tag">Mundane days</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-32246753629991048792014-04-30T01:40:00.001+05:302014-04-30T01:40:47.820+05:30The Simpson’s story<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Did you know? The co-creator of The Simpson’s, Sam Simon, is dying of cancer and he is giving away his millions to help save the earth.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff"><font face="Levenim MT"><font size="2">Sam, born Samuel Simon, wanted to be an animator. No wonder he ended up creating one of the most famous and beloved of cartoon families – The Simpson’s. Sam is credited as "developing [the show's] sensibility and with being "the real creative force behind <i>The Simpsons”.</i></font></font></font></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">"<font color="#ffff00">In the beginning, I was skeptical it could be successful, but I was not skeptical it could be good. I was hoping for 13 episodes that my friends would like. It's a good lesson, isn't it? If you do something trying to make your friends laugh and that you can be proud of, you can also be successful."</font></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">—Simon on his work on <i>The Simpsons</i>.</font></p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jcriYfJw2eg/U2AHG77THlI/AAAAAAAAHxs/CXqCjZXHEEY/s1600-h/1375123557677%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="1375123557677" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1375123557677" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E1NmpyoPMzk/U2AHIDxdOgI/AAAAAAAAHx0/bayBB9TuIi8/1375123557677_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="272"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">In 1993, Simon left the show because "<font color="#80ffff">not enjoying it anymore," <font color="#ffffff">and wished to pursue other projects, and</font> "that any show I've ever worked on, it turns me into a monster. I go crazy. I hate myself."</font></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#ffffff">He negotiated an agreement to be credited as the Executive producer in all further shows and to receive a part of the royalty income annually. It wasn’t much in the initial days but as the show’s popularity increased, Simon earned about $20-30 million annually despite not working on the show since 1993</font> </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Simon apparently once said, <font color="#80ffff">"When I was there I thought I was underpaid. I thought I wasn't getting enough credit for it. Now, I think it's completely the opposite. I get too much credit for it. And the money is ridiculous”.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">In 2002, Simon founded the Sam Simon Foundation which is a multi-million dollar self funded organisation he set up to save strays and homeless dogs. He retrains stray dogs as service dogs in his mansion in Malibu, California, especially to assist the deaf and help soldiers returning from wars to overcome post traumatic stress disorders, thus saving many lives.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">In 2012, Simon was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and was given months to live. As the disease spread to various parts of his body, Simon started giving away his millions to charity funding various projects working to save the earth’s animal kingdom which led to him being known as ‘THE SUPERHERO who protects the Animal Kingdom’.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">One amongst many of his ‘Saving the precious animals on earth’ ventures is being the honorary Cove guardian of the<font color="#ffff00"> </font></font><a href="http://www.seashepherd.org/"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Sea Shepherd Conservation Society</font></a><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">This society was the first to bring to the notice of the world the annual hunt and slaughter of thousands of dolphins, porpoises and small-toothed whales that occurs throughout Japan from September 1 to March 1 as these creatures migrate past Taiji. This society believes only external pressure from the rest of the world to stop barbaric hunts and captures of Dolphins and whales will make the government of Japan take notice. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">“<font color="#80ffff">We as humans have forgotten the interconnectedness we have to nature and to all life on this planet. As we overfish the oceans and decimate entire families of dolphins and whales at a time, we are destroying the ocean along with them -- an ecosystem that we ourselves need to survive. There are many children, who don't want to see that happen, and they will lead the way, but we all have to do our part and the time to act is now. Sea Shepherd is not just defending the oceans, but safeguarding nature and the planet for future generations,"</font></font></p> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8FfZ_ldpYyM/U2AHJ46zeKI/AAAAAAAAHx8/fFB19RPMkGY/s1600-h/2014-03-02-SamSimonGertyColumboEarthDrReeseHalter-thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="2014-03-02-SamSimonGertyColumboEarthDrReeseHalter-thumb" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-03-02-SamSimonGertyColumboEarthDrReeseHalter-thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AyjbLJKfSzc/U2AHK8lM9cI/AAAAAAAAHyE/cTC9BCeJNsk/2014-03-02-SamSimonGertyColumboEarthDrReeseHalter-thumb_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="477"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">As Simon goes about living his last days on earth saving the animals he so loves, he has arranged his fortune to be distributed to various animal and conservation organisations. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The world could certainly do with more people like him. But then Superheroes do not walk the earth ever so often, do they? </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bDveortWhSk/U2AHMiTtKiI/AAAAAAAAHyM/3CoNVVoQ3-c/s1600-h/Pawprints_076%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_076" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_076" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-inN3Gf7vp74/U2AHNvFMUgI/AAAAAAAAHyU/iQP3wwuTCMU/Pawprints_076_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="352"></a></p> <p align="center">(Daddy is the BIGGEST Simpsons fan in our family!)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WkRsQd6DU1M/U2AHPyxcORI/AAAAAAAAHyc/LDWD4n3IwXY/s1600-h/Pawprints_077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_077" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fO-AtcTFkDQ/U2AHROg3jvI/AAAAAAAAHyk/EzA8gVgnyf0/Pawprints_077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="333"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Hope you are having a great start to the week.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Wags,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4a408874-8ad6-4146-af47-b506a1e36b75" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sam+Simon" rel="tag">Sam Simon</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Simpsons" rel="tag">The Simpsons</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sea+Shepherds" rel="tag">Sea Shepherds</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dolphin+and+whale+hunts+in+Taiji" rel="tag">Dolphin and whale hunts in Taiji</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Japan" rel="tag">Japan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Did+you+know%3f" rel="tag">Did you know?</a></div> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-43631142004206544512014-04-24T19:14:00.001+05:302014-04-24T19:14:58.434+05:30Did you know?<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kHq7_rXjcOs/U1kVRhAMTkI/AAAAAAAAHw8/U1DYXMAfOWs/s1600-h/lpNob%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="lpNob" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="lpNob" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nDs9GWxuv68/U1kVS3LfbrI/AAAAAAAAHxE/pFiUP9ae5JI/lpNob_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="474"></a></p> <p align="center">(Found this on FB)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#ffff00">But it isn’t an old book I’m reading but the kindle version of Markus Zusak’s ‘The Book Thief’. Beautiful story that celebrates life in the midst of the horrors of World War II in Nazi dominated Germany.</font> </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT">Grateful for this beautiful evening....smell of the earth wafting from my freshly watered plants, sounds of little children playing in the colony park, my favorite cup of Golden mango flavored green tea, orange cream centered chocolate cookies, Shadow intently stalking two lizards on the wall, Ginger & Buddy snoozing close by occasionally pricking up their ears at some sound they associate with P getting home....</font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VcSOQLBzrOc/U1kVUVzDugI/AAAAAAAAHxM/SyIk4K4ABco/s1600-h/Pawprints_073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_073" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y3ioGjUwwHw/U1kVVuP0SyI/AAAAAAAAHxU/Tlj3kMS5Nnk/Pawprints_073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="365"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a053c6c6-c943-46d2-9243-c388c61da903" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+War+II" rel="tag">World War II</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Book+Thief" rel="tag">The Book Thief</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Markus+Zusak" rel="tag">Markus Zusak</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Home" rel="tag">Home</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Life" rel="tag">Life</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Love" rel="tag">Love</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Books" rel="tag">Books</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Smell+of+old+books" rel="tag">Smell of old books</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lignin" rel="tag">Lignin</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-73999892656417155672014-04-19T23:40:00.001+05:302014-04-19T23:40:12.870+05:30Sad Today….<p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>“Many years later as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice”</em></font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>- the opening line of ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’</em></font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em></em></font> <p><em><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></em> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT">Words. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT">It was all about words stitched together by one extraordinary man. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT">Words that made the world laugh, dream, imagine, invent, argue, learn and love and think. And think how.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="3" face="Levenim MT"><strong>Gabriel Garcia Marquez – </strong><font color="#ffffff">whose words transcended all boundaries of language and culture. Whose words drew comparisons to Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. Who was outsold only by the BIble! </font></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="3" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#ffffff">Gabo, with your passing an era ends. And begins ‘<font color="#ffff00">years of solitude’</font> for the literary world.</font></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yc1ZpgRVWyI/U1K7y6sdPLI/AAAAAAAAHvM/bv-0HS2rqEI/s1600-h/lainfo.es-4462-gabo_93118%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="lainfo.es-4462-gabo_93118" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="lainfo.es-4462-gabo_93118" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qYwldXdMF4M/U1K70MY9bEI/AAAAAAAAHvU/q-UC_GEIWxc/lainfo.es-4462-gabo_93118_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="349"></a> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-th6FV_Na9YI/U1K71ZH61WI/AAAAAAAAHvc/ypnSbECzpJc/s1600-h/Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez-Quotes-2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez-Quotes-2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez-Quotes-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W5F11is3d2A/U1K72fG2vII/AAAAAAAAHvk/CJmpUNg9kMk/Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez-Quotes-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DUTHClJsMqU/U1K73qpifvI/AAAAAAAAHvs/5HrlZG0DEdU/s1600-h/It-is-not-true-that-people-stop-pursuing-dreams-because-they-grow-old-they-grow-old-because-they-stop-pursuing-dreams%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="It-is-not-true-that-people-stop-pursuing-dreams-because-they-grow-old-they-grow-old-because-they-stop-pursuing-dreams" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="It-is-not-true-that-people-stop-pursuing-dreams-because-they-grow-old-they-grow-old-because-they-stop-pursuing-dreams" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m-eCszi2ZoQ/U1K745ObSVI/AAAAAAAAHv0/KAjGaaAzfTM/It-is-not-true-that-people-stop-pursuing-dreams-because-they-grow-old-they-grow-old-because-they-stop-pursuing-dreams_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="408"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="1" face="Levenim MT">(Gabo’s quotes and pictures taken from the net)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3" face="Levenim MT">Feeling Sad today…..</font> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HHIYCLU90ic/U1K76fbDq_I/AAAAAAAAHv8/Ti-G-o-7Gr0/s1600-h/Pawprints_068%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_068" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Pawprints_068" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DDCIlb_V9t0/U1K77VHAcVI/AAAAAAAAHwE/EQ44u0GUbWY/Pawprints_068_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="351"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LL42XA8K_ms/U1K785aAnsI/AAAAAAAAHwM/o9VN6bHO6jw/s1600-h/Pawprints_071%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_071" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Pawprints_071" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iEKhNwE5OWc/U1K79-n5TFI/AAAAAAAAHwU/IH-b6w3W0so/Pawprints_071_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="355"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T9qIiCYg0FM/U1K7_UpcgUI/AAAAAAAAHwc/lpM1X0_adNw/s1600-h/Pawprints_072%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_072" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Pawprints_072" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uXItXyTdxpc/U1K8ASrHdJI/AAAAAAAAHwk/hfr8CBpiO0I/Pawprints_072_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="353"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:fac56a29-2d77-483b-bd78-498376c8d349" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Gabriel+garcia+Marquez" rel="tag">Gabriel garcia Marquez</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Gabo" rel="tag">Gabo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Love+in+the+Time+of+Cholera" rel="tag">Love in the Time of Cholera</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/One+Hundred+Years+of+Solitude" rel="tag">One Hundred Years of Solitude</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tribute" rel="tag">Tribute</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-50278372418190875492014-04-12T13:53:00.001+05:302014-04-12T14:43:49.777+05:30An Omen!<p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">It is one of those days when there are so many things to do and I just have no desire to do ANYTHING! Thankfully, I do not have to be at work today.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">All I want to do is curl up with my book and maybe drift off to sleep, if the book will allow that is!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Must be the weather and the fact that I haven’t been feeling very well for the last couple of days. Much as we are trying to hold on to the vestiges of spring, summer is slowly but surely creeping in. Delhi gets dusty at this time of the year as the hot winds blowing east from the deserts of Rajasthan lifts the dust from the ground that hasn’t bathed for a long time now. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">It hasn’t been that bad yet – the dust and the winds- but the dry air is enough to make your skin itchy and flaky and to leave you thirsty in spite of repeated glasses of chilled juices ( that will surely see you heavier by a few pounds before summer’s end!)</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy, Ginger and Shadow are blissfully lost in their afternoon dreams. Buddy out in the balcony on the cool floor under the seater, Ginger on one of the larger floor cushions in the living room and Shadow in the utility room near the clothes dryer. </font></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VXuyduP6b6I/U0j3itoNyQI/AAAAAAAAHsE/GCGBIlpcrIg/s1600-h/Pawprints_058%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_058" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_058" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WUR5JpDiuJ8/U0j3j0917FI/AAAAAAAAHsM/2V-Tw2gXxXs/Pawprints_058_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="372"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8robNs4fYts/U0j3lfDhZLI/AAAAAAAAHsU/RcM8t6VgWpk/s1600-h/Pawprints_061%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_061" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_061" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QVdW6Shyxgo/U0j3nVr6pxI/AAAAAAAAHsc/UDOspZF7h8I/Pawprints_061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vfuPDsTFI28/U0j3ovILXeI/AAAAAAAAHsk/JSX3b4BvYJM/s1600-h/Pawprints_060%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BHTYLUIE4Kc/U0j3p7fwB4I/AAAAAAAAHss/lIpJmySY8sM/Pawprints_060_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">I haven’t quite figured out why he likes that particular spot but may be it has to do with the fact that the early morning sun, after it’s daily ritual of bathing that spot, moves west leaving it refreshed ,cool and shaded for the day. Also adjacent to it is the smaller of my potted gardens in the balcony I use for my gardening needs, which consequently remains far more untidy than the large balcony that is spotlessly clean not only because Buddy uses it’s floors but also it’s our coffee spot! </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But from this little garden wafts in the smell of freshly watered earth that is so refreshing it gives you the illusion of being outdoors, which Shadow seems to relish.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h0bVLQ6Abz4/U0kDxt9oG3I/AAAAAAAAHus/_yIdew5SSSo/s1600-h/Pawprints_067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_067" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tBbPsDuIUpE/U0kDyzDAi0I/AAAAAAAAHu0/3Ji8bdI3yNY/Pawprints_067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="545"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Shadow, however, will invariably come lie down next to me the moment he realises I’ve settled down, pushing me with his head against my neck, for a spot on the pillow or the cushion.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Ginger will keep asking to be invited to join me, with sleepy half open eyes, as if she expects me to carry her over to wherever I’m settling down. I wish I could. How I miss that sprightly little puppy doll that jumped up into my arms at the smallest of excuses!!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--qlULTroxZA/U0j3rL3rqbI/AAAAAAAAHs0/sAjev-9pdng/s1600-h/Pawprints_059%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_059" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_059" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RNDQmsi3P5I/U0j3sD5gVUI/AAAAAAAAHs8/Js1naEVaSzY/Pawprints_059_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="545" height="365"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy, of course, will not budge from the large green balcony. Green because of the larger of my beloved potted gardens that he so seems to love. Unless I’m munching on something. He’d then come sniffing sleepily only to take his bite and go back to snoozing on the balcony, though he’ll keep shifting from the seater to under it to under the large bottle brush plant, trying to find a spot cooler than the last.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WWARoYrPycs/U0j3tSLMfWI/AAAAAAAAHtE/SJz32i7lo9g/s1600-h/Pawprints_066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_066" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ytswHkECXeA/U0j3ur7KY4I/AAAAAAAAHtM/hvfA36MwCRY/Pawprints_066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="363"></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">When I looked up at the sky this morning through the green foliage of my potted plants, I noticed it was that very beautiful shade of blue that is so elusive in our city due to the dusty haze that you’d have to google ‘sky blue colour’ to remember it, and even then you’d have nothing to compare the shade with unless you have a colour palette!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Even our mundane modernistic apartment building looked to me very much like one of those lovely Scottish castles from yonder years.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Bab5EaUuWc/U0j3wLSWQXI/AAAAAAAAHtU/W2TCIK9ajZM/s1600-h/Pawprints_057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_057" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gprXBl-BHck/U0j3xkO1ohI/AAAAAAAAHtc/vlYwFImkI_8/Pawprints_057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="349"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m6ARAYA0WVs/U0j3zafeazI/AAAAAAAAHtk/Z9UobHCk6S4/s1600-h/Pawprints_062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_062" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zll0-lCUZU0/U0j30QWWusI/AAAAAAAAHts/YY71Cz5pkxk/Pawprints_062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pyN3kicVt4I/U0j317Vv36I/AAAAAAAAHt0/iMvfcgdWZF8/s1600-h/Pawprints_063%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_063" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_063" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sxp7oKJ8HXs/U0j323XoYiI/AAAAAAAAHt8/MDeX_kJdiZk/Pawprints_063_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">May be it’s an omen.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Such a lovely day shouldn’t go waste.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">It certainly deserves a good book!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v9Oq5MaBL2c/U0j34aB25hI/AAAAAAAAHuE/lozWNEwX8xg/s1600-h/Pawprints_064%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_064" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_064" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C0B7Ttj1FU8/U0j35ZuN8TI/AAAAAAAAHuM/knmIN4aw8PI/Pawprints_064_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vp95rRRpeN8/U0j36_swPQI/AAAAAAAAHuU/xhLMjRWn-C4/s1600-h/Pawprints_065%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_065" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uE0rNJ0lKm4/U0j38NpVu0I/AAAAAAAAHuc/_5ojhHPxIQ0/Pawprints_065_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="361"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2cfa9e58-bb21-4218-80f6-c6fddf6f4cf0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Durbar" rel="tag">Durbar</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tavleen+Singh" rel="tag">Tavleen Singh</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+pictures" rel="tag">Dog pictures</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+Blog" rel="tag">Dog Blog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Books" rel="tag">Books</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sky+watch" rel="tag">Sky watch</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-55228567795439038282014-04-10T14:28:00.001+05:302014-04-10T20:20:12.812+05:30When one can’t just flip a coin.<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IOlZviAwLKo/U0ZdDbZFlkI/AAAAAAAAHrI/f6Xof6bLJuU/s1600-h/P1070457%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1070457" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1070457" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7F4pcegSAqg/U0ZdE8P4fvI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/wch3ef1r2GU/P1070457_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pzNxZh8JwPM/U0ZdI7A5q0I/AAAAAAAAHrY/ei_CtGMRBOA/s1600-h/P1070458%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1070458" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1070458" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DPKEAUvwMHk/U0ZdKjtmCVI/AAAAAAAAHrg/TE0htov_G88/P1070458_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="398"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vb_JGPHl8Ck/U0ZdNNpazrI/AAAAAAAAHro/HrxBuqht-lk/s1600-h/P1100714%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1100714" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1100714" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BvwfeCamGtw/U0ZdOO_s7lI/AAAAAAAAHrw/08Klte-QreY/P1100714_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="408"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>Now that Buddy is feeling so much better and his old bouncy – yes, he doesn’t run, he bounces – happy, sparkly self is re-emerging, my mind is slowly losing it’s thick layer of fog, letting in mundane thoughts. Also that the work of the conference is successfully behind me (I will tell you about it next but you must excuse me today for rambling about things I usually do not), so I can safely venture into a routine life that has eluded me for what seems like a hundred years!</em></font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>Read on, because I do have have some interesting anecdotes for you, but if you must go, then please do so.</em></font> <p> <p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Why’s there this huge fixation on religion in our country? Much as we call ourselves a secular democracy there’s no denying the fact that the core of almost every and anything is stitched to religion. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘Hum aisa nahin karte, hum yeh nahin khaate, hum wahan nahin jaate’ (We do not do this, we do not eat this, we do not go there). The ‘we’ invariably indicating a particular religion, sect or caste.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Being an agnostic, I find this unfathomable and rather irksome. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Take for instance the elections.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Every conversation leading to, surrounding it or remotely related to it is invariable tinged with divisive religious emotions like that is the most important decisive factor when you cast your vote and not issues like women safety or cleaning up our rivers. That one cannot express one’s dissent or support without being dissected mercilessly just because the audience in question at that moment happened to have opinions varied from yours is a very unhealthy situation. My Vote is ‘My Choice’ and it certainly doesn’t have to match yours. But right now in India, if you are from a particular religion or sect you are expected to unanimously agree with the general opinion and vote for a particular candidate or face ridicule and social ostracism!</font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The other day, I happened to take an auto to go pick up my car from P’s hospital where I’d left it the previous night. Why? That’s another story for another day. The point is, I took an auto and like I always do, I stuck up a conversation with the driver.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘So, who are you voting for?, I very incorrectly came right to the point.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He wasn’t from Delhi he said, but from Uttar Pradesh, obviously queasy and hoping to avoid my question.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So isn’t he going home to vote? </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">No, he isn’t because it’s too far.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘Why didn’t you get your Voter ID card here? The government had made things so much easier for voters this time. You mustn’t let your vote go waste. Don’t you want inflation to come down?’, I embarked on a lengthy mission to educate him about the dangers of not voting.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘So, if you go home after all, who will you vote for?’, I can be quite relentlessly persistent, believe me!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I guess he realised this, for he finally ventured, ‘MadamJi, hum to Samajwadi ko hi vote dete hain’. (Madam, we usually vote for the Samajwadi party’.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Kya matlab ‘dete hain’?</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">‘What do you mean ‘we usually vote for’? Who tells you whom to vote for? Have you not noticed the wreckage in UP? Are you still voting for Samajwadi party?</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Almost in a whisper he said, ‘Haan, is baar to saare Hindu waale sab BJP ko hi denge’ unsure of where I was leading this conversation. ( Yes, this time all the Hindus are going to vote for the Bharatiya Janata party)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">There it was once again, the Hindu –Muslim sentiment!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">AAP ko kyon nahin?, I countered. (Why not the Aam Aadmi Party?)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He braked, turned back to look at me excitedly and asked ‘aap Aam Aadmi party ko denge, Madam?’ (Are you voting for the Aam aadmi Party, Madam?)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">By then I was at my destination and escaped with a ‘Why not’, but he left me wondering if he was a AAP supporter and like so many common people had his hopes pinned for a much needed change on this new party with grand promises and if AAP can actually deliver. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#ffff00">Today is the BIG day here as Delhi goes to the polls.</font> There has been no dearth of reminders to go vote –SMSes from the Chief Election Commissioner, radio, TV and newspaper inserts and even poll related paraphernalia for sale – hair and sweat bands, bags, cups, balloons, earrings, stickers and posters that will invariably be outdated at 6 PM today evening but this hasn’t deterred young voters with little knowledge of the political realities of India from buying and flaunting them.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">With over 30 000 cops with the latest tech devices geared up to guard the Capital and extension of poll timings by extra 2 hours, Delhi is all set to go decide who wears the crown.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Only it isn’t all that easy for one to decide who one should ink one’s finger for!</font> <p><font color="#ffc000" size="2" face="Levenim MT">There’s Modi and the BJP who have been all over the newspapers never for one morning letting you forget their promise of a safe stable government and women empowerment. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But loud vitriolic speeches that inspire passionate emotions of religious and castist division or that which take derogatory potshots at women from the opposition aren’t ‘safe’ and definitely belie ‘stability and women empowerment’. History shows that a leader who inspires inflammatory emotions of racial differences instead of calm confidence, peace and respectability can be perilous. </font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Then there’s Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.</font> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The other day I happened across a FB update by a young volunteer at a local Animal NGO. She, on her way back from work, ran across RG at a traffic crossing in Race Course. It was around 10PM and Rahul was out with his three adopted street puppies for a drive, windows down and the three dogs sticking their delighted faces out into the cool night air. Before the light turned green and RG drove away into the night, the young girl had her moment of excitement chatting to him about the dogs and the work she does. Later, she couldn’t stop gushing about ‘the handsome Congress VP’ and declared her vote for him!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The Gandhi charm is legendary. It has long been rumoured that apart from its innate ability to fetch votes, it is also perhaps the single most important reason why the oldest and largest political party in India is irrevocably in awe of the dynastic Gandhi clan. The young Gandhi scion, with his charming dimpled smile and polished manners (not to mention adopted street dogs) could easily waltz into the hearts of and glean votes from many a young Indian voter but the likes of me who have had their hearts beating for nearly four decades now, know better. At least, we think we do!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">As more and more Indians are getting to realize the damages done by dynastic governments (Books like ‘Durbar’ by Tavleen Singh that I’m reading at the moment haven’t helped matters for Rahul Gandhi!), the wish to see the loss of inheritance has deepened. </font> <p><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So then, one is left with AAP. The Aam Aadmi Party – the party for the common masses with its illustrious Kejriwal, grand promises of instant change, the immediate connect with the poorest of the poor.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">A lot of expectations, hopes and optimism were associated with AAP till just a few months back. It still is – I’ve seen poor rickshaw pullers who hardly make Rs.500 per day make donations to party funds- but after it’s government’s 49 day stint in Delhi, I’m not so sure anymore. Too young to be written off, too young to be unanimously upheld and quite full of everything the common Indian has been vying to hear, AAP minus the histrionics, could be the choice of many an Indian. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">But the key words here are ‘Minus the histrionics’!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">So here one is, back at square one!</font> <p><font color="#00ff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">There’s NOTA of course, the provision of ‘None of the above’. (NOTA, introduced in the EVMs –Electronic voting machines- that allows you to reject all the candidates if you do not deem any of them fit for your vote but still let’s you exercise your right ensuing it isn’t misused by a proxy.)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Or maybe, one should flip a coin. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Oh wait! Even a coin has just two faces unlike the chameleon colours in Indian politics. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Well, all this pondering hasn’t made me any wiser. And I do need to go vote. It’s so hot outside. What am I wearing? Almost as difficult to decide. Sigh!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:fa1053e5-d12a-4733-ad8f-ce3c8b11e242" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/General+Elections+India+2014" rel="tag">General Elections India 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi+Elections" rel="tag">Delhi Elections</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Modi" rel="tag">Modi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kejriwal" rel="tag">Kejriwal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rahul+Gandhi" rel="tag">Rahul Gandhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian+politics" rel="tag">Indian politics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AAP" rel="tag">AAP</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/BJP" rel="tag">BJP</a></div> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-5550118547107397352014-03-27T16:22:00.001+05:302014-03-27T16:22:45.583+05:30BUDDY’S STORY<p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UlTaVPbdDRs/UzQCifEFzsI/AAAAAAAAHo0/csisOMNL7GI/s1600-h/Bud%252520lounging%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bud lounging" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bud lounging" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qpfEz4iwTrA/UzQCll21QyI/AAAAAAAAHo8/3DSyBDs5O5c/Bud%252520lounging_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="376"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy is 8 and 1/2 years old. He was almost four when he came to live with us. He must have been pretty confused about the big change in his life and definitely missed his earlier family because there always was a sad look in his eyes except when he was waiting for his meals!! The fact that he was always in his best behaviour always made me feel he was being such a good boy because he felt alien in his new environment.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">He was brought up well (I’ll give his earlier family that, because Buddy is a very well adjusted boy) though not very well taken care of (his fur was a fertile home for a variety of ticks and fleas when he came to us!!). But love is all that matters to a dog, not grooming and the fact that he had known love definitely made it harder for him to let go. There were so many instances those days that made me cry because I could so clearly see how he missed his family. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">He has come a long way since then. Completely at home now and though a ‘thorough gentleman’ still, he bullies me for table treats from under the table, snaps while taking a handfed treat, wants me to fetch his ball, wanders away to the far corners of the park and DOES NOT come when called. And I am so grateful for this!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">He is such a happy, playful, loving boy it has been tremendously distressing for me to see him depressed, irritable and extremely uncharacteristically snappy of late.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">I guess I’ll just tell the full story after all.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy was unaltered when he came to us. Ginger is intact too which posed a problem. She couldn’t go through the procedure because of a congenital heart problem and the associated risks with anaesthesia.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">We didn’t want to get Buddy operated immediately as we wanted him to adjust to the new life before putting him through another stressful event. Then came Shadow. You know his homecoming story and how it was totally unplanned. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Then of course was the BIG shift to Delhi. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Finally, once we were all settled, Shadow and then Buddy went through the surgeries. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Shadow was up on his feet almost two hours after the procedure and recovered without a hitch.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But with Buddy it was another story. What should have been a very regular procedure turned out to be a very stressful experience for him. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">It was in the March of 2012. Buddy reacted to the anaesthesia and had seizures on the table and also after the procedure was over. Immediately in the days that followed, he had severe generalised muscle wasting and weight loss with hair fall. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">I had done my usual extensive research and back ground check on the vet. I always do that when it comes to my kids. The sad and very dangerous fact is veterinary practice in India is still not under the purview of the legalities that are applicable in human medical practice. In case of a casualty, the only compensation is the cost of the dog determined by the court. The vet in question cannot be persecuted!! What a defunct system in place! The rules that needed amendment decades ago still stand in place. How do you put a price on your dog, I can’t imagine!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Anyway, this vet I zeroed in on was a reputed surgeon, regularly made media appearances and ran a fancy clinic. He was attached to a shelter that took care of street dogs. Also he was expensive. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But as it is true in our field, so also it is true in veterinary practice – a fancy surgeon isn’t necessarily a good and humane healer. We were totally disappointed, especially with the post operative care that he meted out while Buddy suffered.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Dr. X simply tried to wash his hands off while my boy went on to develop a scrotal haematoma that simply refused to heal. Within a week Buddy, who was in the pink of health just till the morning of his very routine surgery, looked like a sick senior dog. What was infuriating was that Dr. X refused to entertain my queries suggesting in so many words that I was extra worried because I was a doctor and that human and veterinary practice weren’t the same! Like the basics of surgery and healing and nutrition are not applicable to a dog! Like it is acceptable for a dog to have a painful recovery!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">When , in spite of my persistent requests for further tests Dr.X kept on insisting Buddy didn't need any and sometimes this delayed healing happens in ‘bigger and older dogs’, I decided it was time to look for another vet. Older dog? Why, Buddy was just 28+ in human years! That’s youth!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">May be it was the guilt or may be it was the anger, but I just made up my mind to get back Buddy into top shape as quickly as I could. I am a practicing surgeon after all. My boy certainly wasn’t going to suffer because his vet was callous enough to ignore his basic post operative needs. But naturally I needed to find out the subtle differences in between a dog and human physiology.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Those were the days, I started reading and researching extensively – starting from basic dog anatomy, physiology to complex nutritional problems, skin, hormones and post operative issues. Also I started hunting around for a new vet. Most importantly, I decided to put all my three kids on a completely Home-cooked diet.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">You might not believe it but I couldn’t find one vet at that time that could help me determine a balanced fortified diet regime.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But I am not one who gives up easily once I’ve set my mind to something. Especially when it involves Ginger, Buddy and Shadow.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">I read and read, the net, books, journals, publications, research papers and hearsay blog sites…just about everything I could lay my hands on. It felt like my medical exam days, the stress I was under.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But slowly, the effort paid off. The diet plan that I had in place seemed to do wonders for not only Buddy but Ginger and Shadow too. They were suddenly more alert, unwilling to sleep the entire day like they used to while on packaged food but insisted on playing till mid day! Their fur miraculously stayed stuck to their skin and actually glowed! Their bowels were softer and more regular, their ears and teeth probably didn’t need detoxing for they were far cleaner than they ever were. But the best part of all - their plates were squeaky clean within seconds!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy of course rapidly regained his strength. By the end of June, I could see my super athletic, happy, handsome boy in place.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">A new vet saw him and asked me to continue the fortified diet he was now on. It was a lot of effort – packaged food is ever so easy to serve- but I decided to continue. Here my kids were eating all that they require without the preservatives and processing additives, and the results were so evident I simply didn’t have the heart to compromise.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">They have been on an entirely home cooked diet ever since.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">But even as Buddy regained his health and all seemed well at last, he still kept losing lots of fur.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Dr. Y, the new vet suggested a thyroid profile and his blood sugar tests.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Yes, his thyroid hormones were low and thankfully he didn’t have diabetes. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Buddy was put on thyroid hormone supplement (Eltroxin 150 micrograms on May 13th, 2013) Within two weeks his weight normalized, his shedding reduced and he seemed well on the way to recovery. Till Nov this year he was the epitome of health and fitness - great appetite, highly energetic, playful and alert. On our holiday last summer he even climbed the steep Himalayan mountains without a hitch !!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Then suddenly, this November I noticed he was beginning to get restless alternating with lethargy. Shedding wasn't that bad, in fact Shadow shed much more than him this season but there was something definitely bothering him. Initially I thought it must be the long hours indoors because of the cold that was making him depressed. But then he got up a number of times in the middle of the night (around 3 am!)panting and insisted on going for a walk. This was in January. He also seemed a little irritable at times, which was extremely uncharacteristic of him. His thyroxine was reduced to 125micrograms. He seemed mildly better. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">By the end of February, he developed severe itching. No skin lesions, just itching. Oil message, brushing, diet fortification with salmon oil only helped as much. The itching though less continued. The allergy medications only made things worse because they dried up his skin further. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">He developed a hematoma in both his ears that needed draining and bandaging. But like with his earlier scrotal hematoma, it re-bled and his ears soon swelled up. An aural hematoma needs repeated dranage and pressure bandage. It was heartbreaking the way he so completely trusted us to make him all right. Though obviously scared and in pain, he would let me and P drain his ears without much fuss and most times left the bandage alone. We were terribly worried. If the hematoma didn’t heal with drainage, medications and pressure bandaging, the next step was surgery under anesthesia which brought up the old fears of another allergic reaction. Thankfully, his ears slowly dried up. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eug6FDKwjGM/UzQCn9ctYFI/AAAAAAAAHpE/X7XJS7o7cRY/s1600-h/Pawprints_046%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a9DYIurD6u8/UzQCo5r0_gI/AAAAAAAAHpM/I4oBu56tVSU/Pawprints_046_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="379"></a> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">They are thicker now which wouldn’t have probably happened had he been operated upon. But he is no longer in pain and I would any day chose a mild cosmetic deformity to putting him through another risk.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Then beginning of March he suddenly developed polyuria and polydipsia. Over just 10 days he lost a lot of weight and seemed lethargic in spite of a very healthy appetite and digestion. Also he started limping on his left front paw.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Suddenly, it was all like the past revisiting. What had gone wrong? Is he deficient in something? May be it was something I missed or over fed. Were the supplements wrong for him, is liver or kidney damage setting on? Or may be diabetes? What if he had developed some nerve weakness, brachial plexus injuries are very common in dogs with weak muscles. Though all the symptoms could very easily be explained by drug induced hyperthyroidism ( high thyroxine levels in blood than required) only the tests could tell.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">That day, as I read through his tests I began freaking out. Everything was wrong – his liver, his kidneys, his thyroid, his uric acid, platelet counts. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">P was out with the kids for their evening walk and when he came home, he found me in a state of nervous breakdown. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Panicky, he glanced through the tests and at me and started laughing. I thought he had gone mad!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">That was when I realized how fragile I could be when it comes to my kids. Always so used to looking at blood values for humans, I had entirely and totally forgotten that this was Buddy’s test report. Veterinary values are far outside the human range!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">How utterly silly of me!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">As I compared Buddy’s values afresh, relief set in. Almost everything that was slightly out of place could be explained by a raised thyroid hormone level.Stopping/adjusting the thyroxine would settle it. The biggest relief however was that his kidneys and liver are in the pink of health! And certainly no diabetes.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">It meant I could continue with the home-cooked diet. Any kidney or liver problem and it would have been extremely difficult to put a correct diet in place. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Dr.Y put him on Cephalexin for his skin in addition to a few medicated washes and shampoos I’m to continue at home. His thyroxine is on hold since 9th. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Physical examination of his paw didn’t suggest any fracture, dislocation or nerve injury, so it is just hot fomentation, rest, joint supplements, a few pain meds SOS and WAIT & WATCH for a week.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">I like Dr.Y that way. He and his colleague Dr.Z (they’re in joint practice) believe in minimizing stress for their patients. I am grateful they have been very kind to Buddy and perfectly understand what he means to me. Buddy seems to know. He loves the vet’s office. Of course, there’s also the fact that he is handfed treats by Dr.Y!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">His itching is 80 % reduced. Polydipsia and polyuria has miraculously resolved as soon as the thyroid meds were discontinued. He seems eager once again to jump, run and play true to his character only we are trying hard to stop him till that paw gets back to normal. Dr.Y has asked to see him next week which is when we will know if he needs any imaging.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Last few days have been exhausting for me, more mentally I guess, than physically. For the first time, I understand what one means when one says ‘I’m going out of my mind’!! I actually found myself forgetting all little routine things, confusing names and numbers and sugar for salt!! I went back to work on Monday and actually found myself wandering off my usual route while getting back home!!</font> <p><font color="#ffff00" face="Levenim MT">One thing I’m grateful for is YOU. Your and your words of kindness means a lot, because I know you understand exactly how I feel. Thank you so much for being there. I know I should have written this earlier but somehow I couldn’t. Hope you’ll understand. </font> <p><font color="#ffff00" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eabMYfAkt4Q/UzQCrN324GI/AAAAAAAAHpU/4X1pbuQCVQY/s1600-h/Pawprints_043%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ga_FYNXvvAU/UzQCsUeISEI/AAAAAAAAHpc/XhOZwf-eZpI/Pawprints_043_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a> <p align="center">(Tired, in the middle of his walk. See how he leans on his right paw) <p align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gvsK9TaVm68/UzQCuC9kBwI/AAAAAAAAHpk/ewOPjv0fZ0o/s1600-h/Pawprints_045%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_045" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-24-rHnCw08M/UzQCvZJEjwI/AAAAAAAAHps/jTWQgOSwxTw/Pawprints_045_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="374"></a> <p align="center">(Stopping him from running is a difficult task!!) <p align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fM8JMOaeApE/UzQCyRFLf5I/AAAAAAAAHp0/OxgTmUOvMCY/s1600-h/Pawprints_044%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_044" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UU9DNrXlP4U/UzQC0M_jVSI/AAAAAAAAHp8/80B-VSa3Jnw/Pawprints_044_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="373"></a> <p align="center">( Asking to be carried back to the car. P carried him a number of times those initial days to the car, a good distance away outside the park!) <p align="center"> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Even as Buddy is recovering very well, I am a tad worried. It remains to be seen how he will adjust when his thyroxine is started. Also Ginger has been a little off. She is an extremely sensitive girl and takes to heart every change in emotion in any of us. The recent events must be proving rather taxing for her. She has been very quiet, preferring to lie somewhere on her own which is very uncharacteristic. </font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9_8Cfg1x7I4/UzQC1mY6ofI/AAAAAAAAHqE/s4EixooWB7g/s1600-h/DSC_0006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9LmT0gnDLVU/UzQC2z96g3I/AAAAAAAAHqM/XECL9BworQE/DSC_0006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="375"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT">Even with her very favorite boiled chicken liver evening treat, she needed some coaxing. Shadow has been almost his usual self, a little mellow but still providing us all with much needed laughs. Amazingly, he isn’t bothering Buddy to play tug-o-war like he usually does every morning after breakfast! How they just KNOW, our fur-kids!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SMZhVv3xxZc/UzQC513DkKI/AAAAAAAAHqU/_vvKBf6pM9k/s1600-h/Pawprints_047%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_047" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HScPjJ_OYf8/UzQC7EKLpvI/AAAAAAAAHqc/FbOZYp0nWUM/Pawprints_047_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="270"></a> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GazEBRloNuc/UzQC89eWhzI/AAAAAAAAHqk/Iv8EBU1mVpk/s1600-h/Pawprints_048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ssfDIhg81jU/UzQC-CGUCrI/AAAAAAAAHqs/U9jDXlAfED0/Pawprints_048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center">( Slowly letting him walk on his own now, still need to keep close watch in case he bounds off after a squirrel ) <p align="center"> <p align="center"> <p><font color="#ffff00" face="Levenim MT">Please keep my kids in your thoughts and prayers. I am so hoping all will be well soon. </font> <p><font color="#ffff00" face="Levenim MT">Thank you so much, once again.</font> <p><font color="#ffff00" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"> <p><font color="#80ffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p><font color="#80ffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f64c628f-af46-4075-91d0-ff9c06a62d2f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Neutering+and+spaying+in+dogs" rel="tag">Neutering and spaying in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hypothyroidism+in+dogs" rel="tag">Hypothyroidism in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Polydipsia+and+polyuria+in+dogs" rel="tag">Polydipsia and polyuria in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Home+cooked+diet+in+dogs" rel="tag">Home cooked diet in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hyperthyroidism+in+dogs" rel="tag">Hyperthyroidism in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Biceps+injury+in+dogs" rel="tag">Biceps injury in dogs</a></div> <p><font color="#80ffff" face="Levenim MT"></font> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-1323091494830506682014-03-22T15:03:00.001+05:302014-03-23T14:37:46.619+05:30A Prayer for Buddy, Please?<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0nNj20b8Vxw/Uy1YxP68JxI/AAAAAAAAHno/d4I4p47vEMI/Pawprints_038%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"><img title="Pawprints_038" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q39qJ8PXQiU/Uy1Y2Pkfh9I/AAAAAAAAHnw/x2wXMHd_2LY/Pawprints_038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="367"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">My precious boy hasn’t been feeling well for some time now due to his thyroid related issues. Added to his allergy problems, winter isn’t always the best of times for him. But we were coping, and he has been doing pretty well till about two weeks back when things started worsening.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">Since yesterday he is in pain with an acute limp in his left front paw. We will know for certain if it is just a pulled Biceps or anything else today evening once the vet sees him. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">He had a very difficult night. He kept fidgeting around and asked to go out twice, once at around 2 AM and then again at 5 AM. He threw up once, may be due to an irritated tummy from the meds or may be due to the pain.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">This morning , thankfully, the pain seems to be a bit less. He is much more alert and eager and he even tried to walk using his injured paw. Till last night he was barely putting that paw down.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">Till Buddy was put on thyroid medications last year, he would seek out the sun in the hottest of days, unwilling to sleep on the floor but always finding the warmest corners in the house. The weather is getting warmer with each passing day. And seeing Buddy seek out the cool corners is reassuring. His meds must be working. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">He is fast asleep now, <font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">under the sofa out on the balcony.</font> It’s a relief to watch him sleep peacefully after last night and I am glad he has chosen to sleep on the cool floor away from direct sunlight. At least his thyroid function must be normal. We will soon know.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vIyg2IBQbr0/Uy1Y49l-3rI/AAAAAAAAHn4/UEqlpcSnx1Y/s1600-h/Pawprints_040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_040" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pphx2GiPTNY/Uy1Y5ybCiSI/AAAAAAAAHoA/qUaxHJdNa9g/Pawprints_040_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="361"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">Your thoughts, any that you can spare for him are very welcome. It is heartbreaking to see my very athletic, energetic boy feeling down. We are all so worried and are hoping all his tests turn out normal.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RlqYDJCe4Wk/Uy1Y7oai6YI/AAAAAAAAHoE/js2lKjfFBdY/s1600-h/Pawprints_041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_041" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zcI7WpJz-NQ/Uy1Y8yI2sfI/AAAAAAAAHoM/0tfzlcBtd8g/Pawprints_041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="368"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PBtusJhyCEU/Uy1Y-kTZ32I/AAAAAAAAHoU/M2gOAxFRKTc/s1600-h/_DSC3214%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC3214" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC3214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ia04hLPOIlk/Uy1Y_zSLRWI/AAAAAAAAHog/7ao5T4UQLyI/_DSC3214_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">I took the day off from work yesterday and I’m home today too. Right now, Ginger is</font><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"> paddling in the air gleefully, chasing some squirrel in her sleep. There is not a wince out of Buddy. Shadow of course will keep alternating between coming by and lying down next to me to taking care of everything that he imagines needs taking care of …. the cleaners outside, the birds on the balcony, the rustling leaves, the fallen flower in our potted garden, the occasional call of the hawker outside selling his wares, the street pups chasing something… you name it!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print">I might as well catch up on some lost sleep. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8913540f-86fa-4fc2-8da7-4f500d8e5a7f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hypothyroidism+in+dogs" rel="tag">Hypothyroidism in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Biceps+injury+in+dogs" rel="tag">Biceps injury in dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pulled+Biceps" rel="tag">pulled Biceps</a></div> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Segoe Print"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-76358395678121440782014-03-19T23:35:00.001+05:302014-03-19T23:35:26.062+05:30WORDLESS Wednesday<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yP7aQpsDBGI/UyncO5TKukI/AAAAAAAAHm4/Co4PniQZxsU/s1600-h/DSC_1531%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_1531" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1531" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-roVQjXpgG9U/UyncQoZLyyI/AAAAAAAAHnA/s7bSNbDL4pM/DSC_1531_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fTJK5rntfNA/UyncXBjoquI/AAAAAAAAHnI/HdO92BWKTNE/s1600-h/DSC_1532%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_1532" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_1532" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oGmX7pH4q9A/UyncYnEORRI/AAAAAAAAHnM/gN3woJ67k2k/DSC_1532_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="562" height="376"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:43500260-002e-431f-bfc7-ed261af992d0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wordless+Wednesday" rel="tag">Wordless Wednesday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Squirrels" rel="tag">Squirrels</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Winter" rel="tag">Winter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Delhi" rel="tag">Delhi</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-5176197539639620692014-03-18T15:06:00.001+05:302014-03-18T15:13:13.790+05:30Happiness<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”<br>―<font size="1"> </font></font><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/570218.Dalai_Lama_XIV"><font color="#ffffff" size="1" face="Levenim MT">Dalai Lama XIV</font></a> <p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wPByNB1KCTU/UygTnqw8LQI/AAAAAAAAHmg/kLnM08uQBfk/s1600-h/Pawprints_036%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_036" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pqrz3TWawHY/UygTo2b2oDI/AAAAAAAAHmo/z0faGOH-qyU/Pawprints_036_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="551" height="374"></a> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="3"><em></em></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="3"><em>Have a happy week ahead,</em></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="3"><em>Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</em></font> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffff00" size="3"></font></em> <p align="left"><em><font color="#ffff00" size="3">Pee ess: <font color="#00ffff" size="2">Buddy has been having some health issues for some time now. Because he needs extra care and attention we have been keeping rather busy juggling everything, including daily life. We want to discuss Bud’s problems with you, you never know what suggestion might turn out to be God-sent. But first we need to get down to writing everything and that is where the problem is. If only the earth decided to rotate a bit slowly and gave us a few extra hours everyday!!</font></font></em> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffff00" size="3"></font></em> <p align="center"><em><font color="#ffff00" size="3"></font></em> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b0eebbb6-92b6-4054-abfc-23d475356fd6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/family" rel="tag">family</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Picnic" rel="tag">Picnic</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dog+pictures" rel="tag">Dog pictures</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-68679910050248321202014-03-17T20:56:00.001+05:302014-03-17T20:56:32.976+05:30HAPPY HOLI!<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I send you red, may it bring you happiness myriad</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I send you blue, may it soothe and bring peace when you’re blue</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I send you yellow, may it bring that dash of zest when you’re mellow</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">I send you green, may it brighten up your days and fill them with love evergreen!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5j3fdGvEYo0/UycTb3-FpjI/AAAAAAAAHi0/qexgrtaEWRM/s1600-h/Pawprints_025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V0o-EmU60kU/UycTdBr11NI/AAAAAAAAHi8/OupfURVsjDk/Pawprints_025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="355"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1nP_h7OPBzo/UycTecR7FII/AAAAAAAAHjE/2r2jHnb0js8/s1600-h/Pawprints_027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_027" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tSX-C4GD02Y/UycTf1bVcSI/AAAAAAAAHjM/VV7MMq6fXtc/Pawprints_027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ClHa7rylIeI/UycThaCM9_I/AAAAAAAAHjU/EVKY-50M1Fs/s1600-h/Pawprints_028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PMvRDrQI6Xs/UycTiQSmuHI/AAAAAAAAHjc/UtJO5AP7qrI/Pawprints_028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0rah9uDMOkk/UycTkRgEL9I/AAAAAAAAHjk/ukvb-jkquqM/s1600-h/Pawprints_029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F2FZSlt254E/UycTlrvtT3I/AAAAAAAAHjs/a4839gF8TsI/Pawprints_029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="370"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8iqYCozBHF4/UycTofPgfTI/AAAAAAAAHj0/eqyCKWYvSv0/s1600-h/Pawprints_030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6OUUg9huiKI/UycTr-qNvpI/AAAAAAAAHj8/24KgbUS5iww/Pawprints_030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="367"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sxMmJxRgv5s/UycTtTKrFgI/AAAAAAAAHkE/-oAzQJFToyI/s1600-h/Pawprints_031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NXVUJXQIM8g/UycTwNgdJ6I/AAAAAAAAHkM/CXGUzcuOFVs/Pawprints_031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yz9ZBHV1wLI/UycTxiiGYMI/AAAAAAAAHkU/TuTU4kdvr9U/s1600-h/Pawprints_032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tb-eEKIjuB0/UycTy-z0OhI/AAAAAAAAHkc/lhA-YQLHZN0/Pawprints_032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhIpudItpLM/UycT0lziKMI/AAAAAAAAHkk/kyi36ECxLX0/s1600-h/Pawprints_033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6GPAYHJ79G8/UycT15RZG5I/AAAAAAAAHks/2P9ZlwKI22M/Pawprints_033_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f_VQUKxFnMw/UycT3-cI5RI/AAAAAAAAHk4/bGn8iC-TJyY/s1600-h/Pawprints_034%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_034" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-32zh1gIzSFU/UycT5Kvq6kI/AAAAAAAAHk8/MIy0O-qhuLY/Pawprints_034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="417"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eq9-fNqu0pQ/UycT7B3C7vI/AAAAAAAAHlI/joU-wU3jiX8/s1600-h/Pawprints_035%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-in8Tg6Vu8xc/UycT89aeeSI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/C1GhhBYry5I/Pawprints_035_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">This is Ricky’s first Holi ( He only came back to India just under a year back) and this is what he painted to mark the occasion. </font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fd-eine1Y5k/UycT_rMma3I/AAAAAAAAHlY/OC1rR59u2CY/s1600-h/image-5e92bd4982e8bd0d5a23e6787ed1e3aeb34b2fcf3d78376e6f491c66c23e0a10-V%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="image-5e92bd4982e8bd0d5a23e6787ed1e3aeb34b2fcf3d78376e6f491c66c23e0a10-V" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image-5e92bd4982e8bd0d5a23e6787ed1e3aeb34b2fcf3d78376e6f491c66c23e0a10-V" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3G30k50Jz6Y/UycUA6c_RbI/AAAAAAAAHlg/v0pqMgOGjCQ/image-5e92bd4982e8bd0d5a23e6787ed1e3aeb34b2fcf3d78376e6f491c66c23e0a10-V_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="406"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It sure looks like he had his share of fun, doesn’t it? </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Llm0OYz6OGM/UycUCqJGrbI/AAAAAAAAHlo/r6yWNh0aagg/s1600-h/image-31ecbce16dadcb6b5c1c5338cb5c66f59da20f22262cb238b8f65c425580c899-V%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="image-31ecbce16dadcb6b5c1c5338cb5c66f59da20f22262cb238b8f65c425580c899-V (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image-31ecbce16dadcb6b5c1c5338cb5c66f59da20f22262cb238b8f65c425580c899-V (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YJxQxQwzxcQ/UycUED5QknI/AAAAAAAAHlw/HEJH5iWIkv0/image-31ecbce16dadcb6b5c1c5338cb5c66f59da20f22262cb238b8f65c425580c899-V%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="397"></a></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t87lukZ9_fs/UycUF0_Y49I/AAAAAAAAHl4/5aY4fIAJHYw/s1600-h/image-5036a3583c54048b2c1d1eff64f4e13472418fce70a6919c763981008c54277e-V%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="image-5036a3583c54048b2c1d1eff64f4e13472418fce70a6919c763981008c54277e-V" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image-5036a3583c54048b2c1d1eff64f4e13472418fce70a6919c763981008c54277e-V" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0QxJrao4io/UycUG-xX5sI/AAAAAAAAHmA/hIjUoyYqNxM/image-5036a3583c54048b2c1d1eff64f4e13472418fce70a6919c763981008c54277e-V_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="390"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4dCc0IwvmEQ/UycUIWQQ1FI/AAAAAAAAHmE/lzQ9Jawo-kc/s1600-h/image-d8259612e0ff419364b7c1343e2a52515e3f85c8929bff384698e4b0f752b9d4-V%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="image-d8259612e0ff419364b7c1343e2a52515e3f85c8929bff384698e4b0f752b9d4-V" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image-d8259612e0ff419364b7c1343e2a52515e3f85c8929bff384698e4b0f752b9d4-V" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3lkXzidxRag/UycUJRxs2GI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/XpTH4yMmKmE/image-d8259612e0ff419364b7c1343e2a52515e3f85c8929bff384698e4b0f752b9d4-V_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="395"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#ff0080">To those of you who celebrate HOLI</font>….' May the hues of HOLI stay with you the entire year through and make your lives pretty and colourful’.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#00ff00">To those of you who do not celebrate HOLI,</font> we send you wishes as joyous as the spring sunshine and hope the lovely spring colours will bring you myriad joy to last the year through.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Wags,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5f334821-f529-4dd9-b94a-b7d03edc2939" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Holi" rel="tag">Holi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/New+Delhi" rel="tag">New Delhi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/India" rel="tag">India</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Holi+2014" rel="tag">Holi 2014</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Festivals+of+India" rel="tag">Festivals of India</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Spring" rel="tag">Spring</a></div> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-4898211244965089402014-03-07T23:54:00.001+05:302014-03-07T23:54:44.995+05:30HAPPY 7th BARKDAY, RICKY!<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WtvgVLKU-vs/UxoOqnaNUSI/AAAAAAAAHg0/m_u17CRkTDQ/s1600-h/_DSC3372%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC3372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC3372" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kI1-MQNm73A/UxoOr_sa7fI/AAAAAAAAHg8/Iy_blf6VC2Y/_DSC3372_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Our tiny weenie little pupster of a boy who happened to come into this world what seems like just yesterday turns seven today! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>'I can't wait to be seven' is what he said on the phone excitedly the day before! </em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>'Why? What's going to change once you are seven?', Mummy asked.</em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><em>'My best friend is already seven. I want to catch up', he told her.</em></font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">It's amazing how they grow up so fast. Ricky, at seven is an extremely sensitive,compassionate, polite and intelligent little man. Hardly ever does he forget to ask after Sheru (our colony dog), the two girls at the gate and every other street pup that he had met while visiting us. He worries about Buddy's allergies, why Ginger looks sad in most of the pictures and loves to re-tell Shadow's story as a street pup time and again! </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">He wanted a dog for his birthday. But that isn't happening yet. So we got him what was second on his list (from Christmas! )- a bicycle. He's not as happy but happy enough, if you get our drift! It'll have to do for now.</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Happy Yappy Barkday, dear little boy!!</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">(He doesn't like to be called little!!)</font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The world could do with more souls like you who we believe will make a difference. </font> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Stay blessed.</font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LPxHZe5G7hg/UxoOtDrZczI/AAAAAAAAHhE/1aKdB8vE1AY/s1600-h/Ricky%252520Bud%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky Bud 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky Bud 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zHE1Paxw_mM/UxoOuCRT0sI/AAAAAAAAHhM/FQVRz180DPM/Ricky%252520Bud%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="529"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uHbZK7YjcLg/UxoOveYd4cI/AAAAAAAAHhU/PVQZcelEpXw/s1600-h/Ricky%252520Bud%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky Bud" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky Bud" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v5h8ZNu6akA/UxoOwSnP7JI/AAAAAAAAHhc/Vumlwn8V750/Ricky%252520Bud_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="539"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JCvmLZr2qGk/UxoOxsba8kI/AAAAAAAAHhk/0_cQTDFXa_4/s1600-h/Ricky%252520Bud1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky Bud1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky Bud1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zh_yr2bgWXc/UxoOynpYFSI/AAAAAAAAHhs/eYL4ZoQVXOk/Ricky%252520Bud1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="576"></font></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mWjpo3wmy9g/UxoO0VOjgbI/AAAAAAAAHh0/wUuuDXuBAs8/s1600-h/Ricky%252520Gin%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky Gin" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky Gin" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-STqLGG-kabk/UxoO1T90RhI/AAAAAAAAHh8/OuQakKJWCnA/Ricky%252520Gin_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="347"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QS9a4pieXhU/UxoO2Rw0QnI/AAAAAAAAHiE/9Bf2HGynY3k/s1600-h/Ricky%252520Shad%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky Shad" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky Shad" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UVAxAE088zo/UxoO3bo5BeI/AAAAAAAAHiM/WDtNPIcwadA/Ricky%252520Shad_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="604"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJExb6BXzCo/UxoO5TTsHGI/AAAAAAAAHiU/5llQkGaZ-_M/s1600-h/Ricky%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><img title="Ricky" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ricky" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qy8_-gfHcmU/UxoO6VExP7I/AAAAAAAAHic/JvElasvQ62M/Ricky_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="360"></font></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:124d1bee-069a-4588-8558-6efefdb588b0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ricky's+7th+birthday" rel="tag">Ricky's 7th birthday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Street+dogs" rel="tag">Street dogs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Birthday" rel="tag">Birthday</a></div> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-7958524457137158552014-03-04T19:24:00.001+05:302014-03-04T19:24:05.275+05:30Our first mistake!<p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><font color="#80ffff"><strong>Blistering Barnacles!</strong></font> </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Had we known we were only inviting trouble we would have made other plans. How were we to know? But the deed is done and it cannot be undone, so one might as well make the best of the situation.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">All right.All right! We are talking about the gift we got Mummy. How were we to know we were asking to be neglected and ignored when we got her what she wanted for so long?</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Here’s what we got her on her birthday – <font color="#ffff00">A Box Set of ‘The Complete Collection of the Adventures of Tintin.’ </font></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lictjyHApio/UxXaST4q3II/AAAAAAAAHfs/IE8fBOnjzoQ/s1600-h/Tintin2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tintin2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tintin2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VhNncdIEYz0/UxXai02mkoI/AAAAAAAAHf0/KNVIK_smSn0/Tintin2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="563"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sMQcv-HOYck/UxXakuxsnDI/AAAAAAAAHf8/n9PQXOR-wMc/s1600-h/Tintin3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tintin3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tintin3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JLcnejJDKlU/UxXam006gJI/AAAAAAAAHgE/dUaqJhkAuPc/Tintin3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8-_6Lc4UIos/UxXasJnB3EI/AAAAAAAAHgM/bADFgOqc0Pc/s1600-h/Tintin4%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tintin4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tintin4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a5-hwFjLrVM/UxXavAAGkNI/AAAAAAAAHgU/X49FVJxuhr0/Tintin4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="363"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">The hardcover comic books are in a lovely shade of Prussian Blue, the spines of which when set in the box in the correct order arranges to form a picture of Tintin reading a paper, with Snowy curled up at his feet!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Little did we know when we ordered what we imagined would be the pawfect gift for Mummy that it would eat into our blogging time, reading ‘substantial books’ time, writing time and ‘a lot of other things’ time. </font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">SIGH!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">P.S.:</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Thank you so very much for your lovely wishes on my birthday. And so sorry I haven’t yet gotten round to visiting you. Yes, I plead guilty as charged by Ginger, Buddy and Shadow!!</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Then there were so many other things that had me occupied. For one Buddy needs a lot of grooming in this season due to his allergies. This added to his hypothyroidism makes my boy sort of depressed and restless. The shedding is not so bad but he is very itchy. Grooming seems to help. I haven’t written about his problems. May be I will sometime…</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Hope you are having a great start to the week.</font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PFJ3lu4xx4A/UxXaws5pywI/AAAAAAAAHgc/BP9mfKGfFwY/s1600-h/Seista%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Seista" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Seista" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RgSPkx2Z_jw/UxXa9sUsY4I/AAAAAAAAHgk/VxlxMECoNQM/Seista_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="264"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:75a31f93-c70a-48b0-8fab-eba50e7f2722" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Adventures+of+Tintin" rel="tag">The Adventures of Tintin</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ginger" rel="tag">Ginger</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buddy" rel="tag">Buddy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Shadow" rel="tag">Shadow</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Birthday" rel="tag">Birthday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Puppy+pictures" rel="tag">Puppy pictures</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7381563523077268441.post-57597246218271009052014-02-28T20:27:00.001+05:302014-02-28T20:27:16.644+05:30HAPPY BARKDAY, MUMMY!<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kysMhyxLnK0/UxCjxA7oaiI/AAAAAAAAHfM/DHLT_JUGeTY/s1600-h/Pawprints_022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pawprints_022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pawprints_022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jzUN_4vSS5s/UxCjySpATWI/AAAAAAAAHfU/kfm83Ti4G2M/Pawprints_022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Hope you get to enjoy everything that you like the whole ear through…..Good books, a million puppy hugs, yummilicious food, long drives, love of good friends, loads of shoes, bags, nice dresses, photography gadgets and such like material things you wish to fill your cupboards with!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Have the Happiest Barkday ever!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Wags n licks n hugs,</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT">Ginger, Buddy and Shadow</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ffff00" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"><u>Pee ess:</u> We got Mummy something that she has been sighing over for ever so long. But we can’t tell you yet because it’s still a secret! Patience, Mon ami, patience!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#80ffff" size="2" face="Levenim MT"></font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:11994034-a02a-4d1f-8961-b2ff3e766287" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Happy+Birthday" rel="tag">Happy Birthday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mummy's+38th+birthday" rel="tag">Mummy's 38th birthday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Puppy+pictures" rel="tag">Puppy pictures</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Photography" rel="tag">Photography</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910413735418121137noreply@blogger.com6