I remember as a child I was always attracted to little , cute , chubby , hairy puppies . But, it was clear that no dogs will be allowed in the house – Mom’s word can’t be challenged( applies to me now and I love that hold… yo!!! Me THE Momma).

Even under strict instructions my eldest brother use to pick up some stray dogs at random and bring them home. We had a luxury to stay in huge government quarters so the little bundle of flesh used to run around the garden and surely never tried to enter home . So, mom’s BIG verdict was well taken care. I remember my brother used to get up midnight listening to the cries and move out slowly of the house even when it was foggy, chilled winter just to cover up the little one  or to cuddle a bit. I always admired my big brother for this gesture. Although this little guest never stayed in our house for many days for reasons I told and my brother used to nicely let him go. But very soon there used to be another one. So, we kind of had a pet but with no liability.

Many years have gone and now I am a mom and my boys pester me to have a third child which surely I don’t agree . They then settle with a plea to have a pet at home. Even I wanted to have a pet at home but as we moved to bigger cities the houses got smaller and in a city like Mumbai it’s criminal to keep a pet in a crammed place . What I understood from my boys plea was , that they had a little human connect between a sibling and a pet (read if not a baby then a pet).

I still deny their plea by explaining to them that,” I don’t have the band width to manage a pet along with two of you”. Their instant reply is ,” but WHY momma ?”

My logic is very simple, first my boys are still young I need to be around them. Second , the house is too small to accommodate another member and that too a very frisky one. Third and most important , I’ll not be able to give the time and attention that little one will require and it will be absolute injustice done . I think my boys understood and their nagging has stopped ,as of now !

It wasn’t long after this discussion that one fine morning I was waiting for the elevator to reach my floor . Suddenly I saw a little shiny brown colored four legged creature running all over the lobby. Oh yes! we had a small Labrador puppy in our neighborhood. I just let her frisk around me, smell me , climb over me. I totally forgot that I missed the elevator , that I was getting late for work . I just loved cuddling Brownie (name changed). After spending good time with the little one I finally decided to move to work thinking of the delight my boys will have once they’ll come to know of a new member on the floor.

As soon as the boys were back from school my phone rings at work and yes they had a zing in their voice, a very happy, exited and curious tone. The reason was – Brownie.From that day it was a routine to see Brownie every morning before going to school,  in the afternoon,  in the eve. What joy to see them so happy and also seeing Brownie enjoying with them.

It was not even a week that one day I rang the bell and saw that Brownie was  in a small cage little bigger than her size right in the center of the hall. TV was switched on , fan was off and the maid was sitting on the sofa. Upon questioning that why Brownie is kept like this,the maid replied, that Brownie doesn’t let her cook and was unwell too.The so called parents of Brownie did ensure all comfort and play accessory for her with a play pen , ball , soft toys , training band but still she was ALONE.

Slowly Brownie stopped moving out of the house once she tried but was unable to walk also. One day I saw her mother (lady of the house ) when i as moving to office I asked why she was home? The lady replied as Brownie is unwell she has to at home . Also,she has to attend an important meeting the next day so Brownie has to be well. I wondered how can one instruct illness to recover as per one’s demand?

It was today when I came back home tired, in fever and unwell that I thought I’ll go and spend sometime with Brownie .All of a sudden my little boy tells me that Brownie is not home because she is in hospital. This made me all the more worried . I was about to leave the house to check on her that my maid told me that Brownie is no more and the boys don’t know about this. Although I keep my boys abreast with all facts of life but I just couldn’t muster the courage to disclose this fact!

Oh my! I stood still for few minutes Tears rolled down my cheeks . I was in utter shock. Brownie’s so called parents were at work and this sad news was told by their maid.

I remember having a conversation with my neighbors when they told me that we are not seeking to go a family way hence it’s better to have a pet!

A pet for a baby?

Only that little puppy was an animal, you left such a tiny creature back home , in  cage, with the maid. You never ever took her out in the garden to run. She was trapped in the house the whole day. When she urinated on the lobby floor it was your maid who wiped it off not you. I am glad you did not made babies .

As I write this my eyes go wet because I have cuddled brownie in my arms, I have played with her,I have allowed her to lick me, I have seen the boys eyes sparkling with joy when they used to play with her.

Dear neighbor you have killed a living soul you have committed most atrocious crime.

Your replacement pet will never forgive you.