How we met
I had started a homestay for dogs with M. That’s when Mango entered our lives. He changed the way I looked at pets, forever.
Growing up, we always had pets at home. The unofficial ones were the stray cats my mom let saunter about, the official ones were dogs.
What Mango was & yet.
Mango was an indie dog – a pariah. But he was different; his skin and bone structure showed text-book Egyptian blood lines.
My father had a thing for German Shepherds, he thought them to be a status symbol. So, we always had German Shepherds for pets.
Each dog in the home-stay was unique, but in the end behaved like pets we knew or were accustomed to. And yet, Mango was different.
What i was & what Mango made me.
Growing up, the dogs in my house stayed chained or locked up, which made them aggressive. Except for the occasional walks, I rarely spent time with them.
Mango’s eyes spoke volumes. His face & tail were a masterclass in acting and his range of voice could give the best tenors a run for their money.
As a child I used to be wary and scared of my dogs. I remember not feeling anything when they passed away. I got to know from other kids who had dogs that it was very different for them.
Mango could play a joker, an aggressive hound, a childhood buddy, a scared wuss – going from one to another in seconds.
Because of my childhood experience, I never wanted to have pets. I used to look at the home-stays as a pure business venture, nothing more, till Mango came about. He got me thinking about my childhood pets and my relationship with them. I realised, like I was scared of them, they too must have been scared of me.
How Mango became my guru.
Whenever Mango was up to no-good, I tried everything to make him walk the line. Talk, yell, discipline, but the minute the opportunity arose, he would go back to do the same thing all over again. And that’s why I love him.
The experience with Mango taught me that I can never own a pet. That’s because there is no such thing as a pet – they are other beings who allow us the pleasure of their company.
Mango was a wise teacher, who taught me many truths. He taught me to let go, even when it was hard. Today he has moved on to another world – where I am sure he is driving other beings wild while doing his things. See you on the other side my dear friend & guru.
Post Credit - Soni Anthony. Photo Credit - Soni Anthony.
appam stew n prawns patiyo 