Sandy, the labby

SUSMITHA RAMASWAMY

ANISH was going to be six years old in a couple of months. He was feeling lonely. Most of his friends spoke about little brothers and sisters. Sisters would be a pain, for they were girls, but brothers would be fun he thought. But how does one get them? He knew where to get planes, cars, guns and such toys, but, little brothers? Mother would definitely know, he thought. She knew the answers.

Evening came. Anish went up to his mother, and said, "Mummy, Can you get me a brother?" Mummy was taken aback but, regaining her poise said, "It is not so easy to get one."

"But all my friends have brothers or sisters, Mummy!" persisted Anish. "I am sure we can get them somewhere. Let's go and look in all the shops. Are they very expensive?"

It dawned on mother that Anish thought little brothers were available in the market. She would not dampen his enthusiasm, so, she said. "They are very difficult to get. They won't be readily available. But, when they are, I will surely get them," she said, hoping he would forget about it soon.

"Then get me a dog at least," said Anish.

Now, mother had never had a pet in her life. How was she going to take care of a dog? She shuddered at the thought. She managed to divert him for a while. She spoke to father about it. Father was most certainly against the idea.

"There is not enough place for a dog," he said.

But Anish did not give up. When asking mother for something turned out to be futile, he would head straight to father. Never, never underestimate the persuasiveness of a child! And father was convinced that they needed a dog.

Now, that father and son had got into the mood, they constantly discussed dogs, what kind to have and what not to. Father set out to hunt for a pup. He managed to locate a little golden labrador, what a handsome price the owner wanted. But money was of no concern. Father and son wanted a pup and they would have it!.

On a fine Sunday afternoon the family set out in their car with a basket. They were going to bring the pup home. Mother had reconciled herself to the idea. Armed with a book and a pencil, she was ready to welcome the new member of the family. She would make a note of everything from his diet to this medicines in that book.

Sandy, as Anish named him, was both a little bundle of joy and most frustrating at times. The days that followed the arrival of Sandy were chaotic. For months the house remained topsy-turvy. Sandy would mess up the house, anywhere, anytime.

Time passed. Sandy grew up. Today he is so much a part of the family that they seem to forget at times that he is only a dog. Anish and Sandy, like all siblings, share a love-hate relationship. At times when Sandy is in a wild mood and runs out into the street, Anish's only concern is that his Sandy should not be run over by vehicles. He runs after him to bring him back, unmindful of the dangers a six year old would be facing out there on the streets. For him, Sandy is Sandy. Nothing or nobody else could replace him.

Mother has her hands full. If Anish is not getting shouted at for being naughty, it is Sandy. They take turns in aggravating mother. Sandy too can throw tantrums and between Anish and Sandy, not a day passes without Mother trying to bring in some discipline at home!

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : It's a dog's life
Next     : Young World Quiz (March 10, 2001)