Unconditional Love
Today my baby boy, Spike turns 4 years old. Usually we (along with my best friend) celebrate his birthday by inviting aas-pados ka doggies, cutting a dog-healthy cake along with some munchies and then the show-stopper of the evening – exchange of gifts.
However this year things are not as jolly, Spike is down with tic-fever (one of the curses of living next to a polluted beach) and barely manages to move a muscle. Past three days have been taxing on both of us; have been visiting the Vet and going thru the required (very painful) medication process. Blood report shows all the important factors have gone for a toss and therefore requires utmost caring and attention.
Don’t know if it’s just a coincidence or my terrified heart but last year in this very month, Spike had met with a serious accident, something which we both have yet to mentally recover from. Since then even slight pain he suffers, it sends shivers down my spine and this many a times forces me to question my attachment towards him. I mean, I have always had pets, even when I was studying in Sydney I couldn’t resist getting a bundle of joy, home. But never have I felt as if every string of my being depended on any of them. I loved them dearly, no doubt but the fact that they are “animals” after all was also very much present in my mind.
And then came Spike. To be honest I am really at loss of words to even begin to describe what he means to me. Every time I take his name, the image of his soft brown spotted face flashes across my mind. The satisfied feeling of holding a 3 month old in my arms, even after so many years, is still so fresh as if it was just yesterday. All I know is that he is more than a pet to me, I love him and I love him for many other reasons – I love him to death.
Yesterday, while listening to my depressed heart, my friend questioned – "Sakshi, have you ever felt that a loss of pet could end up being more agonizing than that of a family member?"
Though some may not understand this but an immediate "yes" would be the reply of many pet-lovers, like me.
I think this has also to do with the fact that unlike humans, their love for you is unconditional, just as Kim mentions in her beautiful post.
They know exactly when to come sit in your lap and when to give you an adoring look. (And) no matter how many times you push them away, they keep coming back to you.
They never judge you for anything - Feeding them late, not getting home in time, being pissed drunk, being lazy, being a few pounds overweight……
For many in my family, Spike is just an oddball but without whom my life would be dull and much-less meaningful. Its strange na, how easily we take things in our lives for granted until bang, the thought of losing them gets you right between the eyes.
Hopefully my baby will come out of this testing time, stronger than before and most importantly I hope he knows, I love him unconditionally too.
So yeah, if you guys can spare a moment do wish him well, this is not a compulsion but just a humble request. And thank you for listening to the very end.
We all have a right to express our views. In many instances; it will be against ours and in some; with us. To hear them out is 'decency' but to let them get to you is 'weakness'. 
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17 comments | Leave your comment
Oct 5th, 2007 at 2:49 am | #
Awww!!! He is so beautiful. And wishing you both the very best.
Oct 5th, 2007 at 3:50 am | #
Though I dont have pets, I know through friends how agonising it wud b if a pet is unwell… Not to worry, I shall pray for him!
Oct 5th, 2007 at 4:09 am | #
Awwwww!!! Lookey at his piccys!!! Isn’t he the cutest lil thingie??? I really love Dalmations
Happy Birthday to Spike!
Oct 5th, 2007 at 4:41 am | #
Please do convey my best wishes on his birthday!! Bow Wow!!
More wishes for a faster recovery, since I know how it is, My dog - Casper was suffering from skin disease and his skin has become PINK in colour. He too is a Dalmation!!
Oct 5th, 2007 at 8:35 am | #
I would pray that good ol’ Spike gets well soon!
Oct 5th, 2007 at 9:33 am | #
Happppy birthday spikeeey
Oct 5th, 2007 at 10:26 am | #
That was a very touching post! I certainly wish him a speedy recovery and hope you both get to spend many more years together. And hope we get to see a cheerful, happy update in a while!
.
Oct 5th, 2007 at 1:31 pm | #
Poor, poor baby, I hope he gets well soon! Give him a kiss from me. And who;s his friend in the last pic?
Oct 5th, 2007 at 6:39 pm | #
I’ve a six year old doggie who I’m very attached to and I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone more in my life so I think I know how you feel. Not that I think you actually need to hear this but… Give him the very best care you can and I’m sure he’ll be alright. Remember - if you want a job well done, you’ve gotta do it yourself. It’ll be worth the sacrifice on your part. They deserve everything we can give them anyway. Best Wishes and a Speedy Recovery for Spikey Boy!
Oct 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pm | #
A lovely Dalmatian indeed. I hope Spike is up and running soon.
Oct 5th, 2007 at 9:37 pm | #
I think we can read the whole story by just looking at his eyes.
I wish him a very fast recovery and waiting for your blog post about that happy news.
Just caressed his forehead. Pass it on to him and tell him that there are loads of people out there who love him and pray for him.
Oct 6th, 2007 at 6:34 am | #
Here is an Update.
The good news : Spike no more has fever and has also started eating, a little bit plus no more injections.
The not-so-good news : Very strong anti-tablets are making him dizzy and at times a little cranky. This will go on for another 2 weeks.
So yeah, things are improving slowly but at least they are.
Amrita - The little pup in the last pic is Spike’s daughter Rusti. She is now 2 years old. A complete brat, I tell ya.
M - I will always remember that. Thanks and give some doggy-love to your baby from my side.
Patrix - Yup, Spike is a handsome stud.
Oct 8th, 2007 at 3:55 pm | #
Happy, healthy thoughts coming to Sakshi and SPike from Beth and her unconditionally-loved fluffy puppy Leroy.
Oct 9th, 2007 at 4:12 am | #
i dont know who to ask and i figured if you didnt know then well nobody would. so remember how aishwarya and abhishek were supposed to be on the season finale of koffee with karan? what happened?
Oct 9th, 2007 at 1:50 pm | #
When our Dad died in India in 2005 we found a dalmation pup one day by chance who needed a home and Mum said that she would try to coax the owner of the house we rent to let us have her stay with us to take away some of our sadness. But the owner said no and she had to leave. It was just awful when we couldn’t keep her. We love dalmations. She did go to a good home and shortly afterwards had puppies! And we didn’t even know she was pregnant!
Happy Birthday Spike!
Oct 15th, 2007 at 12:33 pm | #
Glad to know he’s okay. Poor Spike, having to go through such trying times. Poor baby!
Oct 15th, 2007 at 3:29 pm | #
Nice to know that Spike is recovering. Last week my pet Dog Blackie was operated in BSPCA hospital in parel for a lump. I was simply overwhelmed by the love people have for their pets. Everyone was sad and with moist eyes. They had brought their pets from far off places and most would visit almost everyday,spending lot of time with them outside wards,taking them for walks and feeding them their favorite food.Baby talking them.Even in that pain and discomfort pets would always respond.A day in Vet. Hospital is an experience one would not forget. BTW i brought Blackie home today evening—PK
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