Gundu came bounding with me one day. His white paws were a blur as he kept on prancing all around while i walked to the market. We played on the way, stopping, jumping, slobbering and jumping.
Gundu walks up to people and wants to play. He is rounded and muscled. He runs a lot in the colony. As the eldest dog in the area, he has the run of the land. He is a lovely, lovable dog and happy doggu. His brown, earth-coloured fur is brought into sharp relief by the white strip around his neck, his white chest and his white paws.
That day, Gundu and i walked through territories of different dogs. They snarled but kept their distance as we walked together. We finally reached the gate where i would exit the colony and walk onto a public road.
I opened the gate and walked out. Gundu followed, still enthusiastic. We were more than a kilometre from home. I had a decision to make. Go back home with him, walk together to the market and back, or leave him here to go back alone and go to the market on my own. I shooed him back inside and closed the gate on him.
I did not see Gundu for three days after that. I wondered where he was and searched around for him. On the fourth day, a very angry Gundu met me at the entrance of my building. His fur looked different. He looked and felt different. I realised then that i had let go of a lot by closing that gate on that day. I promised myself that i will not close the door on a friendship again.
Sorry, Gundu. I hope we can be friends again.