Smitten by puppy love

As a new bride desperate to make a good first impression on her husband’s family, the last thing you want is to have to contend with a hostile family pet, which has been spoiled rotten. Yet, that was what I found myself up against during a short stay with my in-laws soon after our wedding.

My mother-in-law took offence if I referred to the pet dog as “the dog” since she regarded him as no less than her youngest child. The majestic, pampered K did not take an immediate liking to me. Eventually, however, a regular bribe of goodies bought on my way back from work did the trick.

Soon, I was included as an ‘insider’ and he began accompanying me every evening to my room upstairs, waiting patiently with a solemn, alert expression and later, escorting me back carefully.

I was told several times about his unexpected arrival in the house. He was a tiny, whimpering bundle — a pup of five or six months — that my husband had bought from a friend. They did their best to make him cozy and comfortable in his new home, but in the morning, found him curled up like a baby next to the person who had brought him there.

He soon grew to be the undisputable darling of the house and was fiercely protective of his ‘family’, especially the lady of the house. (I have always thought that the real reason that my mother-in-law doted on him so much, was that, she loved to talk and he was the perfect listener, giving her undivided attention, unlike others in the house).

Just as much as K was adored at home, he was feared and respected outside. The house soon became easily identifiable as the one with the ‘super dog’. Like every dog worth his salt, he tolerated no outsider anywhere close to the house he guarded so diligently.

Occasionally, an unsuspecting stranger would knock and wait with his hand still on the gate only to retrieve it immediately as though subjected to an electric shock as the dog flew at him, barking and snarling furiously.

Sometimes, a stray cat or puppy would amble in and would soon be chased non-stop, up and down the compound wall and around the garden, sending the innocent creature scurrying away, vowing never to step into the premises again.

His only ally was the dog in the neighbouring house, with whom he had extended conversations, probably discussing the pressures of their stressful jobs. Needless to say, outsiders were terrified of the dog and the neighbours, envious. The inhabitants of the house, however, slept soundly, although burglaries were on the rise.

K bade his final goodbye after 14 long years when he was accidentally run over whilst being taken for a walk. The fear of the dog, however, lived on for months afterwards. The milkman or sales people would still hurry away, believing he was somewhere around the house.

Months later, when my mother-in-law was sitting on the porch with her embroidery one evening, she looked up to find father-in-law back from his walk, with a tiny, whimpering bundle in his arms.

Closer inspection revealed that it was indeed, a tiny Golden Retriever, all of five or six months. Once again, in the morning, they found the newcomer curled up next to the person who had brought him to his new home.

As he grew, however, it was clear that K Part II had none of the ferocious predisposition of his predecessor, preferring instead, to laze around, on a full stomach, for the major part of the day. He has a friendly air about him, even occasionally inviting a stray cat or puppy to share his lunch.

Needless to say, cuddly and extremely playful, he too, has carved out a niche for himself in the family.

Fyna Ashwath is a writer based in Dubai.