Parenting A Pet
Himmat Anand, Hospitality & Tourism Professional, tells how his strong belief keeps his Jugnu fit even after a bout with spleen cancer…
He came to at eight weeks, flown in from Lucknow to Delhi, where I received this small bundle of fluff at the airport’s cargo section. Little did I know that his first small puke in his first car ride from the airport to the house would be the beginning of one of my life’s biggest responsibilities! Jugnu, the firefly who brightened my life and impacted it like no other! And I am often asked -Should I keep a pet? Yes, absolutely. But be prepared to give the same commitment, love, time and care as you would to your own child. It can be nothing short.
Have you ever heard of a dog that doesn’t fuss while taking medicines? Jugnu led a very healthy life, with a balance of exercise, diet and tonics. It was only after his cancer was detected in April 2020 that he had to start with regular medication, tonics and supplements, a full day multiple times routine. All one needed to do was call, “Juggs, medicine”, and he would quietly come and sit in front of you to put the tablet or the liquid in his mouth. No fuss!
In all his fourteen years, I am the only one who has given Jugnu his baths. Yes, no one else, ever. And I have done this because I believe I understand his every look, every move, every sign of comfort and discomfort. I believe it also helps create a very intimate bond between two beings. Bath time is never an issue with him - all one has to do is call out –“Juggs bathee time, let’s go bachaa” and he walks straight to his bath area.
Or have you ever heard of a dog that does not know how to bark? Jugnu. In all his fourteen years, he has probably barked this many times! Let the doorbell ring, let a stranger come into the house, let him meet other dogs on his walk – never a bark. Just the constant wagging of his tail. In fact, one domestic help who spent many years with Jugnu came to me one day, suggesting that she ‘teach’ Jugnu how to bark! Reason, I asked. It seems that when he would go for his walks, other dog walkers would comment “gunga hai” – someone who cannot speak – because unlike the dogs they walked, this one never barked! But I insisted that we had better things to teach him than to bark.
We would often go on holidays, just the two of us. And this made me realise that there is a difference between taking a holiday with your dog and taking a holiday for your dog. In the former, you plan your holiday and the dog accompanies you. And during this holiday, you do some stuff for him, like the usual walks and stuff. But in the latter, the whole holiday is based on what the pet would like, from start to finish. You become irrelevant.
It was around March 2021 that Jugnu's cancer was detected, followed by the removal of his spleen. His vet gave him a maximum of eight months. After the initial jolt, I took it in my stride - I would do all I could for him, but I would not fight what was destined. No Chemo, no strong medication. What I was also very definite about was that if he deteriorated, I would not let him suffer in pain. I would let him go. That was my promise to him. And four years later, he turned fourteen in August this year – still going strong! That is the power of belief!
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