Moments of Nostalgia
Whenever I think about Mishka, I immediately recollect the first time we met. Distinctly remember I had gone to work in New Jersey and during my break I as I had been doing everyday for the past 2-3 months I opened all the Animal Shelter websites. This had become my ritual. I scanned all the new profiles that had been listed and there she was, 3 month old Italian Greyhound and Terrier mix.
That evening I went to Manhattan to the Bidawee Animal Shelter and since they were closing in 30 min, I only got to spend 20 min there. They got this tiny little puppy, she looked so fragile but the moment they put her down, she was like the Tasmanian Devil.
Then she saw me sitting on the floor and came and sat in my lap, and she looked so peaceful and calm.
I realized the phrase ‘Love at First Sight’ is in fact true!
The 20 min of interaction was enough for us to realize we had found our home in each other. I instantly inquired about the adoption process. I would have taken her home the very same day, but due to necessary and secure procedure I had to come back the next day with relevant documents.
The very next day I took leave from work and picked her up. This was essentially the first time I was holding a puppy and now I had decided to care for one. I didn’t even realize that I wasn’t even equipped with the bare necessities to welcome her home. But all of those things fell in to place cus we learnt to understand and grow with each other.
The adoption process is fairly easy in the US. They, however, have an evaluation criterion to ensure the new #parent is financially stable and can provide for the #pet emotionally as well. Once my profile met the necessary standards, I was allowed to adopt Mishka with the necessary vaccines.
Adjusting and accommodating came so naturally to both of us, it was like we had already made space in our lives to include each other. Our daily routine fell into place effortlessly. It was helpful that she was only 3 months old and she could accommodate her new surroundings very well. That night, even though I bought her a new bed, she refused to sleep unless I let her #sleep next to me.
She is a #princess. She knows it and acts like it. She is very particular about how she wants to be treated. She loves her belly rubs, but there is a specific way she wants them. Mishka has a set morning routine- We take a walk to the #park, #play with other #doggies, chase squirrels and birds followed by addressing our hunger pangs. After that, it is #siesta time till evening, basically rolling from one bed to the other. And in the evening she’ll either run by herself or we play fetch.
Mishka is an extremely social #dog, but she has her moods. I remember the first time I had to leave Mishka at a farm in #Alwar as I was traveling. It was the first time we were going to spend more than 3 hours away from each other. It was a first for many things. When I came back to pick her up, she was furious. She refused to come to me! After two hours of trying, I just picked her up and hugged her- which is when she finally relaxed and I could feel her anxiety and anger melt away.
Mishka is my shadow. We go to bed together, eat together, and #travel together. I feel an immense sense of security, compassion, and pure #love for her. Knowing that I have her gives me the confidence that tomorrow even if I have no one- I know she will be there to love me, unconditionally.