My fur babies

I never thought of myself as someone who would love or have pets. Growing up in India, its not uncommon. As a young girl, I was sometimes chasen by street dogs and that memory has petrified me even when I saw friendly dogs anywhere else. I remember being rude to owners of dogs who let their pets in park without leashes. I was that petrified! After failing in attempts to convince me of dogs, Uday and Maya got two love birds couple of years ago. They promised they would clean, feed etc, but invariably failed. Me and Karthik took care of the feeding food and water, but cleaning always fell on me (SURPRISE!!). After 3 months, I wasnt able to do it anymore, nor were the kids playing with it. So one fine day, I gave them away to people who would take care of them better. And for a year, we were pet free. Whenever the topic of dogs raised, I said, we couldnt manage couple of birds inside a cage, how do we manage a dog going around everywhere! That was my stand, for a very long time, until Feb 2021, when it all changed Covid changed a lot of things. In a way, the more time we got to spend at home, we were thinking whether it was a good time we got a dog so we can be home for their initial growing up years. All of a sudden, one day morning we saw an ad and drove 4 hrs and got Lucky. She is a chocolate labrador - she is unbelievably affectionate, but it is true that she petrified me and Karthik initially. She still has anxiety issues, gets all jumpy and wants to lick us all the time. Then 6 months down the lane, we felt, Lucky was so lonely and is always stalking us and got Simba, my lovely yellow boy! I have to be honest, he had the stinkiest wee's of all time for the initial month he stayed in the bathroom upstairs. He quickly graduated to staying in his pen at garage and started being with Lucky. She plays rough with him and initially we had to play referee and protect him. Now he is bigger than her and he can take care of himself So coming to why I decided to write about them - yesterday, after Udays continous request to stay out for 10 mins, I went out to be with the fur babies. I am constantly busy and for some reason I dont really play-play with them at all. Maya and Karthik joined and as usual, I was hurrying up to go inside - dinner - reading - sleeping routine. Uday grabbed me not to go and all of a sudden, Simba leaps at him with a small growl thinking he is hurting me. I didnt realise it first. Then he is lying down, Uday goes near, he does nothing, I go near, his tail wags way too much and starts licking me. We thought we will see what he does when Uday is pretend hurting me and did it for another couple of times. Every time, simba comes near defending me! I knew dogs were loyal, they possibly love the lady of the house more etc. But it was unexplicable happiness when I saw that he wanted to defend me against his master himself. I wouldnt have thought I would say this couple of years ago, but I love my fur babies way too much. A little less than Maya and Karthik I must say. Their love and loyalty, nothing can ever match it. All that extra work and money is so worth it!

High School Maya!

I started this blog when I was pregnant with Maya, not many blogs, but when I browsed through this morning, I realise I don't remember many incidents on top of my head! A good reminder to write more to save these memories in writing than to believe I will remember those Maya started high school this week. The whole of last year, we contemplated between the very good public school and a decent private school nearby. Finally the mighty 4000 strength of the high school made me choose the smaller private school because I beleived that would suit Maya better. She had her close friend in year 6 going to the same school, but from the beginning, Maya was determined to be independent as we thought her friend was going to change to another high school. The first day, all dressed up, looking beautiful, she sat in the car and soon after we reached high school, she burst out crying. She was overwhelmed by all those year 11,12 kids. Probably felt like a preppie when she joined primary. We went with her, to her classroom, met her teacher and dropped at the office where they asked us to. But seeing my strong Maya crying, it made me so upset the whole day. I couldnt wait for the evening to pick her up and ask how she went. While we were in the car park, I could see her walking with couple of girls, smiling. I felt so relieved and happy. She told us later that she really had a good day and a kid Hannah had become her buddy. Its just her first week, but she talks about so many people already, in a nice way! She herself went and enrolled in Debating, Choir. Shows interest in whats happening around, which is a first for her. I have to be honest, her primary wasnt what I would have ideally wanted for her. She did her debating, choir etc, but we practically forced her to do it. She had more fights than good days, atleast those are the ones I remember. I had to push her even for the disco night because she just wanted to walk around. I am not proud of those, but I wished she understood how good it will be to be involved in the school community. I think its sinking in for her and she is for a good start! I am hopeful that this is a start of a really good journey!

A boy who believes in Tooth fairies

So, Karthik's front two teeth finally fell in the last couple of days. The adult teeth started growing and it managed to push those two baby teeth off. Last year he had couple of lower baby tooth fall and at that time, he was convinced without a doubt that Tooth fairies are real. This time though, his friends had told him that its not the tooth fairy, its only the parents who give them coins and throw the teeth in the dustbin. He asked me if it was true and I ofcourse said, no they are for real, probably its different in each home. He was so convinced and planned to keep his tooth under the pillow. Thanks to my almost 12 year old who lets him have his innocence and smiles when he asks her if I am telling him the truth. I know many of the older siblings who spoil the fun for the little ones. On the day of the first tooth falling, he loses the tooth, cries his heart out. I told him to write a letter and he writes saying, my tooth fell off, but I lost it. Sorry, I will be responsible. He wakes up, finds a $5 note under his pillow and is so happy to tell me that the tooth fairy appreciates his honesty and leaves him more money than usual $2. The next day he managed to pull out the other tooth and yet again, loses it. He made me search the whole home for it and ended up again writing a sorry letter. So the tooth fairy left him a note that she loves him so much and his tooth will grow up to be a beautiful tree, just like him. He wakes up in the morning and is re-reading the letter and is so happy! I do know that not many 8 year olds are that innocent and I appreciate it so much! His toothless smile is heaven. Soon he will grow up and not be this childish anymore, but I relish every single thing he does, so pure hearted and innocent! Please dont grow up too fast baby!