It is strange how living beings supposedly inferior to us teach us the most important lessons of life. The two pets - Boxi and Bruno - with whom I was attached have in their own ways been handling life much better and selflessly than us - "homo sapiens".

PETS BRING JOY TO THE SELFISH HUMANS

I was in Class 4 when my prized possession "Bruno" who was one month old came in our lives. We traveled with him from Ambala to Allahabad in the dingy train with this tiny cute puppy. And mapped the long journey from Allahabad to Faridkot in the tiny car.

Love and affection overflowed in our hearts at the mere look of our first (and the only till date) pet Bruno. With creamy fur that blended well with his white paws we zeroed in on his name after long discussion and arguments. My brother decided his name and Bruno made our life beautiful.

No matter what he will never forget to welcome every time we enter the house with his wagging tail. Bruno used not only bring joy to us but even to my friends (gang of so many gals) in Allahabad who used to stand to see his antics. Yes you read it right his antics - a trained and obedient pet - Bruno will jump high despite his short height to catch the ball, fetch the ball, bite on anything that he gets when he was in a good mood.

Though this lovely being was ferocious still my friends used to take the risk of sitting on top of a podium to enjoy the excitement on his face at the mere name of ball.

Boxi came in our lives when Bruno was almost 2-years old yet another tiny snow white. My masi came to our house in Allahabad with him and at once Bruno became his guru.

Boxi was also trained but was much more loving gentle and calm than our brown Bruno.

Bruno, a true fighter, will just not let any other stray or pet dog enter his territory and used to get out daringly to fight with any damn German Shepard (as the size doesn’t matter) and keep us on toes to run after them. Well he has bitten me several times as I used to keep pulling him beyond his patience levels.

He will just fight for anything and everything that he cannot tolerate and despite his small size both humans and pets were scared of him. The daring soul took his last breath in my brother “Suhail’s” arms and was walking though he was very weak till his life left him on April 28, 2001. As I talk of him every moment spent with him comes before me and I can feel him right next to me.

As I came to know that “Boxi” was no more this Sunday – March 1, 2009 – I had a flashback of the pain we went through when my pet left us.

Boxi used to bring thrill to my life. He was harmless and lovable and I used to just forget myself and play like a school going child with him. Every little gesture, his expressive eyes, innocent face, even the greediness for food of these beautiful creation of god – DOGS – brings smile on our faces.

When the so-called “superior race” of humans is compared with the speechless pets one realizes that human are far away from humanity. GOD BLESS THEIR SOULS!!!!