Doggone: Used to express feelings of surprise, pleasure or annoyance.
One morning our friends, Aparna and Prem, called us up, ‘Come home, we have a surprise to share!’ All through day I wracked my brains, trying to figure out what the surprise could be, getting curiouser with each passing hour.
We reached their home the next morning to see a dog so small, it could fit in my palms. A Shih Tzu, Asher, who was 2 months old.
The moment I saw Asher move, I hid behind my Husband. ‘What can this tiny dog do you you?’ he scolded, ‘go pet it!’. ‘Not on my life!’ I remember saying. I rushed to the nearest sofa, sat with my legs up and surrounded myself with cushions so that the dog could not get to me.
I watched Asher from afar, and he watched me. He attempted to run, skidding on the floor instead. After taking a few steps he would flop down on the floor, exhausted as he flattened himself fully, resembling a throw rug. I was delighted by his antics!
After I went home I could not stop thinking about Asher and wondering what he was up to, In fact I missed him so much that we landed on Aparna and Prem’s doorstep the very next day to meet him.
Asher and I have a ritual. When we ring the doorbell of our friends house, Aparna or Prem hold up Asher. I seat myself on the Sofa and barricade myself behind cushions. After which they let Asher down and he heads straight towards me. Asher now recognises me. He listens to me. He is my biggest stress buster. (Pssttttt! He gnaws at my husband’s feet, brownie points to him for that!)
I have asked Asher not to lick my hands when I pet him. He listened to me. He now just sits still and allows me to pet him. Petting a dog is the most soothing thing in the world, btw!
We all have memories from beautiful journeys we have undertaken, where we traveled to places we wanted to and some which were a surprise.
However mental and emotional journeys are equally important. I crossed a block and a milestone by meeting Asher. Thanks to him I am slowly getting over my fear of animals (hopefully) I now understand why dogs are known as a human’s best friend. I have experienced how an animal, who cannot talk, can understand what you are feeling and tries its best to make you smile.
I joke to everyone that Asher is my long distance pet. What I am very serious about is that he has a piece of my heart.
This Blogpost is part of the SpeakEasy Blogging Challenge by Dipika and Ruchi
Oh my God.. My heart just melted into a puddle… Love.. love… love the post Mayuri
Thank you for reading, and introducing Asher into my life, Aparna.
That is such a lovely memory. I was very afraid of dogs too. But I developed a beautiful bond with ‘Tiger’ my sil’s pet who was a ferocious German shepherd but became all gooey with me over time. I didn’t know how to make rotis after marriage and I would make rotis for Tiger which he would eat. I will never forget he taught me to make round rotis. He is no more now but he definitely has a special place in my heart. Unfortunately we didn’t have smart phones at that time and so I don’t have a picture of him with me. I will regret that forever. I should have clicked one. He was my true friend.
Awwww, imagine a ferocious German Shepherd becoming all gooey! What wonderful memories you must have, Aesha!
These are such sweet memories, thank you for sharing. Asher is so cute, I would love to pet and cuddle him… glad you joined us for SpeakEasy challenge.
Asher is adorable and he would become your friend instantly! Signing up was long overdue, glad I finally did.
What a lovely post Mayuri. I loved how you shared your lovely journey with Asher. A heart touching bonding. That touched my heart too. May you walk more miles this way. Send my love to Asher.
Thank you, Swarnali. I will surely pass on your love to Asher.
I can completely relate you this journey. I was so scared of dogs that I climbed up and stood on the table at a pet shop when I saw a two month old lab pup there. It was embarrassing as the shop was full of customers most of them doggone due to my actions.
And today I have a Labrador at home, who follows me everywhere. We call him Ginger. We got him when he was 32days old now he is 5 plus.
The journey is awesome.
How awesome is your journey, Ujjwal. Labs are simply adorable, aren’t they!
This is such an unique sharing on theme and I agree travel is not always related with visit some places, it could have more deep meaning too. like you, I am also scared with dogs but after reading your post feeling inspired and will try to remove my fear.
Thanks so much, Surbhi.
Aww, such an adorable tale of bonding of Asher and you Mayuri, images itself communicating all the lovely feeling behind. Asher refreshed the memory of my pet Bruno, whom I still miss a lot.
Thank you, Archana.
Undoubtedly, the dog is the best friend of human being. It loves you so much that you forget all your worries and sorrows specially when they sit with you. One of my friends is pregnant, her dog never leaves her along. It started barking if anyone tries to speak with her loudly.
I had spent a great time with my pet but, unfortunately she is no more now.
Sorry to hear that your pet is no more, Bhawna. Thank you for reading.
This is such a heartfelt story…. While reading your post my younger one peeped in and now behind me for getting puppy like Asher… So adorable, I don’t mind having one like him.
Awwwww. Hugs to you and your younger one.
Such a cute journey down the memory lane. I can totally relate with you as I too am very scared of animals, including dogs. But watching dogs play from afar really melts my heart and always brings a smile.
Thank you, Nitisha. Yes, even i am someone who likes watching these cute pets from afar:)
I can totally relate to this. The first time my bro got a pup home, i was irritated but gradually, i became the one she wanted more than anyone around. i miss her and her soft cuddly body. She was a terrier. Hubby also had a labrador who passed away a few years ago while we were away on holiday. He was old. I’m glad i got to experience that side of me with them.
So true. Pets teach us something about ourselves.
I think I could connect with your story.. even I am never comfortable touching those cute poodles and I prefer loving then from a distance 😛
High Five, Payel! Thanks for Reading.
I am so much scared of dogs and still can’t think going near to any of them, but this Asher looks really cute and glad you shared this memory with us!!
Thanks for reading, Ruchi.
I am still not good with animals. My daughter n me we both start to hide when specially puppies are there. I don’t like when they lick.
But your post give me little bit courage to handle these kind of tiny pets.
I am still scared of animals, however tiny they are. Asher has made me take the first step towards change though. Thanks for reading, Neeta.
Wow… Asher is ultra-cute and looks so tiny. This is an interesting post, Mayuri. It was great to know how you overcame your mental block. Surprising, how such tender moments often help in breaking mental stereotypes that an individual has for such long years. enjoyed reading it.
Well said, Chinmayee. Asher really changed my mindset. Thanks for reading.
Asher is so adorable I feel like meeting and patting him! No, I’m not a dog-lover but the incident made me fall in love with Asher;)
I know what you mean, Aditi. Thanks for reading.
I could totally relate with this post, Mayuri. Year’s back when my sis got a pup at home and being not a dog lover I really did not like him. But, with time he is now a part of your family. Love and hugs to Asher.
Thank you, Debi, I will pass on your love to Asher.
Loved the take on travel…yes, I agree…the mental and emotional journeys leave a lasting impression on our hearts. Great post!! Warm hugs to you, Mayuri!
#SpeakEasyWithRuchiNDips
Thanks so much, Mayura.
So true, Mayuri. Dogs are real stress buster and so loving. They are selfless and we don’t judge them when they come running towards us and hug.
Between Asher looks so cute
Thank you, Geethica.
I agree with you mental and emotional well being is equally important . Asher is adorable. lovely pet. My daughter will surely fall in love with Asher
Thank you, Hema.
I have to admit, I am quite scared of dogs too. After reading your story I felt its not that big a deal and I can try to over come this fear.
Thank you, Mandavi.
I so relate to you Mayuri as even I am the one who gets scared at the sight of the dog. Infact I am the one who also hides behind my children to stay away from the dogs. Its indeed a beautiful memory
Thank you, Rakhi.
Aww, Asher is super adorable, this is such a lovely memory, Mayuri. Thanks for sharing it with us. Even my brother in law is afraid of dogs but when we got Caesar home he too started liking him though it took time. Dogs can teach us a lot if we keep our hearts open.
Well said, Neha. Thanks for reading.
ohh, I am so glad to read this! Its a beautiful journey, & I am so glad you are finally coming around to our side… you know, the one where the heart wags every time 🙂
He is just adorable! Has he grown much now?
Thank you, Ish 🙂 Yes, Asher is almost 2 years old now.
You have wonderfully depicted about ur fear for animals and counting him as ur long distance friend. I so want to have pet but I too fear them. I am sure to overcome this one day.
Thank you, Sweta.
Lovely. You think you ready to adopt one too now? 🙂
Nice bonding you have with Asher now Mayuri
Thanks, Suha.
Cute Tale!! Glad to know u overcame your fear of dogs. I don’t know when I will 🙂
Thank you, Milan. I still haven’t overcome my fear. Maybe someday we both will.
Aww, that’s a lovely memory to have! And Asher looks like a cute adorable fellow. Glad that he helped you overcome your fear too.
Thank you, Disha.
This is such an heartwarming tale of love! I remember the times when I feared dogs too. My aunt in Chennai had got a pug at her place and I went to stay with them during my college vacation helping her with wedding preparations at home. And suddenly, Naughty – our pug became the center of my life and those few months of vacation turned into a bliss. I was no longer scared or petrified of animals. I can so resonate with your feelings here.
Thank you, Amritha. I am still scared of dogs though. Hope to get over it.
I and my kids we all are animal lovers and we also have a german shepherd at home. At times I get scared wen he runs due to his size but my kids r not scared at all and put their hands inside hs mouth to get their toys out.
Awwwwww 🙂
What a wonderful descriptive writing enjoyed reading the bonding you established with your pet. Emotional journey wowwwww….
Thanks you for reading, Sivaranjini. However, Asher is not my pet.
I’m in the same boat as you. I love animals but getting close to them is not something that I look forward too. It scares me. Especially dogs and cats. Have had close relationship with parrots of mine Cherry and Chili and you blog reminded me of them. Travel through memories and emotions is also so important.
Thanks, Seema.
I love nature, birds and animals alike but somehow I am scared to hold animals. At my in-laws, we have a pet dog Shadow and my uncle has too – Joey. I think I have overcome my fear to a little extent with Joey because he is tiny but with Shadow, I am still jumping on the sofa. Let’s see how future unfolds.
I am still scared of animals too, Manisha. Even I hope to get over that soon.