An Accident Of Nature....

"A really companionable and indispensable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding for it, and you can't buy it with money. It just happens along." - E B White.

  This quote is so true, when I think of Tasha. Really she is our priced possession and whosoever has taken her away from us has caused great pain and hurt to all of us. Tasha is equally loved by family and friends and WE all curse him from the bottom of our heart. 

May the fleas of a thousand dogs infest your armpits!

Though Tasha entered our life by accident, she completely overpowered our hearts by her unconditional love strictly as the quote says, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ― Josh Billings.

After the initial brief encounter outside the gate of Sasha and Tasha; Sasha entered our house compound and both Tasha and Sasha were left off leash. Looking at Sasha's unruly behaviour, Tasha became timid and was hiding behind us. We all enjoyed her behaviour, she was terrified of her life seeing this durga avatar of her own mother.

Getting home Sasha was a family decision and hence she was welcomed home with lot of joy. However, seeing Sasha's mental and physical health, I was worried about handling her and to maintain peace within our house, as my daughters Boards were more important to me.

Tasha taking shelter in between us after seeing the wild side of Sasha photo clicked on 25.1.2013.

 

Tasha running helter skelter, photo clicked on 25.1.2013

Sasha in turn was clumsy, lost and angered by the state of affairs. She barked relentlessly and misbehaved completely. Andrea had a ruler in her hand and kept giving stern warnings to her to behave well. I merely was dumb struck and just did not know how to react to get control of the situation.

It was lunch time when Andrea & Sasha arrived, so I got busy to serve food first to the dogs and then to all of us. Sasha was not let in and kept tied in the garage.  

By the way, I had got drilled 2 separate steal loops for Sasha, one in the garage and the other one on the opposite side of the house. We tried tying her on the other end, but she would jump and threaten to bite the passer by from the annexed house, so tying her in the garage was a better option.

Sasha barked continuously until our ear drums gave way. I took the food bowl towards her, but just could not place it near her. Andrea had to do this.

I thought Sasha was more angered as she was left alone outside the house tied in the garage and requested Andrea to get her in, but how? She would simply pounce on anyone and bite. So though we got her in, we just tied her, to one of the window grill.

It was evening and my husband came home. He had all the reports of the day, at hand and had now also seen Sasha. He disapproved the idea of Sasha kept aloof and not allowed to roam freely in the house, so she was untied, but then came the muzzle on her mouth. Which again he insisted to remove. His logic was that, she must be treated with confidence and allowed to mingle freely to gain her trust and friendship. We followed his instructions, but I believe both the dogs needed their space before they could get comfortable with each other and also we humans too, wanted some time to trust her, to let loose.

So our journey of owning 2 GSDs started with all the teething problems which were larger than life image, but we being utterly hopeful thought time will bring the situation under control and it will be all fun parenting the two female GSDs.

Dated: 14th Nov 2013.

A dog reflects the family life.

         Andrea decided to board a sleeper coach. She called confirming the same and also warned about the disturbance in our routine, especially with Manali's board exams fast approaching. She also offered to get Sasha in the month of May and added she will never be able to forgive herself, if Manali would be disturbed due to her stay and also getting Sasha with her. We both (my husband and me), were quiet confident about handling another dog and were blissfully unaware of the impending danger. We thought, she is unnecessarily being polite and portraying a scary picture in our minds and we took the risk thinking, it is just January now and that we would adjust our life style handling both the dogs much sooner and overruled all her suggestions and told her to come in January itself.
        Andrea was relieved probably and decided to board the afternoon sleeper coach from Borivali on the 24th Jan 2013 after finishing her morning College lectures. As planned she was at the designated bus stop with Sasha and even purchased a ticket for Sasha. She booked two adjoined berths, so both would be comfortable.
        She boarded the bus and called me confirming it. After a few minutes she was interrupted by someone and she told me she would call me later. Then almost for an hour or so, I did not hear from her. I got worried, wondering if is not allowed to board.
       As anticipated, the bus operator denied her entry with her dog Sasha, but with the tickets in hand and Andrea's patience to convince them, she was allowed to board finally and their journey to Bangalore started.

 

Clicked in the bus on 24/01/2013

Clicked in the bus on 24/01/2013

Clicked in the bus on 24/01/2013

          Borivali to Bangalore is almost 24 hours of journey. I did not here anything from Andrea until she almost reached Bangalore. She was to call me, informing which stop she would get down. Finally, I called her and she informed me to come to Anandrao Circle and that the bus would reach their in just half an hour their. I got panicked and drove a little fast to reach in time. And I actually did. After 5-10 mins of wait, I saw a red coloured bus as Andrea had described and knew it was this.
         The bus passed ahead of me and  started following it, just a few metres ahead it came to a halt. I could see Andrea getting down from the bus with Sasha. Sasha was too confused seeing so many people around and was profusely barking. She even tried to snap at some passerby. Andrea was finding it difficult to control her. I couldn't get down of the car and hence informed a group of boys standing near the car to call the lady with the dog. And then came both in the car, relieved to catch them in time and get them in car.
          First time, I saw Sasha. She looked very skinny, worked up and irritated. She has a scarf tied on her mouth and a plastic muzzle over it. I greeted both of them, Sasha tried to snap at me too. I took it lightly. Both were on the back seat and I was driving. Andrea called to inform her mom and her brother about her safe journey and having reached Bangalore. She told me about her journey experience and with the ongoing conversation we finally reached home.
           Manali was at home and I called her before reaching home, to get Tasha out of the house, so that Sasha and Tasha meet on the road i.e on a neutral ground. She did accordingly and as expected Tasha started barking, smelling a dog and later facing each other got much louder.
           Andrea was tired and being week and could not control her and had no patience to hold her firmly on leash. She just wanted to leave Sasha loose and hence put her inside the compound. And thus the introduction of the 2 dogs was extremely brief and abrupt.

          
            Seeing Sasha so closely for the first time, I feared and realized its going to be tough and also remembered a quote read sometime back, which goes as follows; 

“A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones.”
Quoted by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

Absolutely not knowing then, it would lead to such a disaster in days to come.
           
 To be continued.......

Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.........

    “Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length.” quote by Robert Frost; is amazingly true.
    Once the decision was conveyed to Andrea, about fostering Sasha the mother of my dog Tasha, everyone is the family was happy and excited. I always wanted another in house dog as a company to Tasha, of course, getting another GSD was never in my mind. Any other small breed dog was my dream, especially beagle. However, my earlier requests to get a second one were refuted by my husband, but this time since all us agreed upon, we had an opportunity to own a second dog and being my dogs mother made our decision more easier. Our happiness had no boundaries. I even started dreaming of displaying on the car shield 'Proud owner of two Shepherds". It was going to be big work and double the responsibility, but since all in the house were ready to cooperate, I was fine.
   Our happiness was passed on to Tasha too, we kept  telling her, we are getting her mother Sasha and she will definitely be happy to have a new company for her.
    Sasha gave a litter of 8 healthy pups at age of 2 years. Tasha was handpicked by Andrea's niece Shanaia for her home. Their flat was getting renovated and hence Andrea was taking care of Tasha. Tasha was with her mother Sasha and Bobo for 8 months. So for us, we thought, they will adjust with each other and we were happy and comfortable with this feeling.
    Tasha loved to make new friends and she loved wrestling with  them. She is such a TOM Boy! As a pup she played with toys, but as she grew little older, she just preferred other dogs to play with.
Here is a video of Tasha playing with Toffee in the Dog Park.

Tasha & Sabkuch clicked on 27 ‎December ‎2011

Tasha & Meetu clicked on 21 ‎December ‎2011

      I had read,  if not socialized properly, German Shepherds can be very ferocious. I dreaded this fact and took special efforts to see that Tasha meets new people and new dogs on regular basis. She enjoyed the company of every dog irrespective of breed and was equally very friendly with men and women and especially children. She loved children like anything and the same was true with the kids. They took pride in telling each other, how they can touch her and pat her, despite her huge size and ferocious looks.
     German Shepherds are one of the smartest breeds and Tasha was no exception. She would catch my words before I could utter them and would read my mind, even with the simplest action. A Poetry by Larry Belt, titled 'JAKE' best describes Tasha.

 Now I know you've heard the stories
About animals who are smart
But here's a tale of a dog named Jake
Who was a genius from the start

Now, this dog could do anything
He could even add and subtract
He even starred in a broadway play
And, man, that dog could act

Now, nobody ever had to feed him
For, he was even a gourmet chef
Did I mention he was a teacher?
He taught sign language to the deaf

Now Jake was not an ordinary dog
He remembers everything he sees
He has a photographic memory
And even knows the names of his fleas

He wouldn't just bring your slippers
He would put them on your feet
That dog would remember to flush
And put down the toilet seat

Jake even took the children to school
And stayed with them, all day long
He heard every word the teacher said
And corrected her, when she was wrong

Now, you probably think I made this up
And, everything I've told you is fake
But I'll bet you'll be surprised to know
That this poem was written by Jake

      We would tell her our major plans a few days ahead, which would help her to remain compose on the actual day. Like I am going for a trip for few days or my husband or any one of us, is going out of country for few months or many months. This time too, we did not fail to tell her, we had about 20 days time in hand to communicate with Tasha.
     Andrea planned to come to Bangalore along with Sasha during Republic Day holiday, so she could get extended leave from her work and the hand over of Sasha would be swift as was done earlier for Tasha too. For Andrea which transport would be best for her travel was an issue. I had suggested to board a direct Borivali to Bangalore bus. Now it was up to her to decide the most comfortable method and after some due diligence, she zeroed on the direct bus privately operated. 
To be continued...

Life is what happens to you, while you are busy making other plans....

         If Tasha was the most well behaved GSD, then naturally you will think, what was the need to send her to the training school?

        It was last December 2012, as usual, I wanted to plan for my vacation. I wanted to see my parents, who were living with my elder brother Dr.Mukund Deshpande in Nagpur Maharashtra and also see Anna, my College friend who was coming from US to visit her parents in Mumbai. 

        Meeting Anna would take just half a day, then what about the other days. I always longed to visit my parents’ home town nay village Lonar with them to revive their childhood memories since last few years, besides that, visit Mahur, Maharashtra our family deity Goddess Renuka.  

         Wondering how to co-ordinate the 2 places as it would be like travelling in a triangle from Bangalore visiting these 2 places. I was checking the distances, the availability of rail/flight tickets and then I paused upon via & the connected flights. I bought a direct ticket to Nagpur for onward journey and a via Mumbai ticket for my return ticket with a break of almost 20 hours in Mumbai.

          With my journey ticket in place, I had booked the MTDC resort for 3 days in Lonar 29/30/31st.

          To let you know more about Lonar, it is situated in Buldhana District of Vidarbha, Maharashtra. This place has an importance of its own as it is the only salt water lake in India that is created out of hypervelocity meteorite impact. I believe only 3 such lakes are seen in the entire world, lot of information is available on the internet, if you wish to know more about this place. And I just love this place.

         Lonar Sarowar (Salt water lake) photo clicked on 27.12.2010.

Fresh water flow called Lonar chi DHAR, a mysterious but only drinking water source for the village. Photo clicked on 30.12.2010.

       Mahur or Mahurgad is a religious place in Maharashtra, India. Mahur is said to be the birthplace of Hindu Goddess Renuka, mother of Lord Parshuram. This Goddess is family deity to the Deshpande's ie from my fathers side.

          However, with my maternal Uncle Sharad mama's death, our Lonar -Mahur trip got cancelled, with my booked tickets, I went to Nagpur for his last rites. And the entire function was to get over by 30th December, hence I had a chance to continue with my Mumbai trip and I planned to stay with Andrea my Xaverite friend and now the breeder of Tasha. 

          After 3 days of my Nagpur stay, I took the evening flight to Mumbai. Andrea came to pick me up at the Mumbai airport, it was 11 pm in the night. I knew it would be fun to stay overnight at her place in Borivali (a suburb of Mumbai). Meeting Aunty Alba (her mother now no more, was a very sweet lady, I have wonderful memories of her whenever I had been to Andrea's home, since our College days.) and added fun was to meet Bobo, my Tasha’s brother. He is one such darling. 

Bobo playing ball with me. Photo clicked on 02.08.2011.

             

 Bobo running away with the ball when asked. Photo clicked on 02.08.2011.

Bobo drops the ball on my belongings, happy giving it away to his sister Tasha. Photo clicked on 02.08.2011.

            We were awake till late night catching up all that happened since we last met, had food late and went to bed early morning. It was this time she voiced her concern about Sasha the mother of Tasha, who was in her Andheri flat with her elder sister Sandra. The family of 3 had to split to due personal reasons causing huge problems to the mother Sasha, as Andrea was not allowed to bring Sasha to Borivali. The reason being she is very vocal, whereas Bobo is as the name suggest very submissive and quiet. Andrea had 2 dogs, the mother Sasha and one of her pups Bobo (one among the litter of 8). 

           Though she was the breeder on papers, actual care came from Aunt Alba. This is one family, who had dogs that too GSD's all their lives. 

            With more than 2 years of this arrangement, Sasha started suffering with Sandra's work timings with BPO. Food timings, no walks and no humans around made her suffer and made her lonely. Food served was mostly kibbled and scraps, she lost her health, physically and mentally.

           Andrea was searching for dog loving home, until they start living together as one, but maybe she did not try seriously or maybe fostering a dog like Sasha within her known circle was a difficult decision. Also how long was another question.

          Somehow, I tried to become a Samaritan and offered help, with the condition that; I need to take permission from my husband and my children. My daughter Manali (name changed) was to write her 12 th Board exam, which are indeed important, as they decide your future career. 

          The conversation ended here and we had a great day ahead. Andrea took me to the Borivali Court to meet one of my GLC Friend Shailesh Srivastav, prior to heading to Anna's home in Bandra. At Anna's place too, we enjoyed the company of all, her parents, her 3 sisters, until evening and bid good bye to take the evening flight. Andrea was beside me until I went inside the airport. I reached Bangalore late in the night.

           Here coming back home after a trip was always a big ritual. Tasha would jump all over, make complaining sounds and would be over excited to greet.

                     Photo clicked on 01.01.2011.

       Photo clicked on 01.01.2011.

           After all this, we had good family time discussing the trip and especially taking opinion on my offer of getting Sasha. 

           For few days this whirlwind discussions was on. All at home sympathized with her sufferings and finally agreed to bring her to over to Bangalore. To add here, I had not met Sasha till she arrived to Bangalore, though I had a chance to meet Bobo on two occasions. 

           My decision was conveyed to Andrea, but I never ever dreamt that, my saying 'yes' would change our course of life..
Life changes in every second
We never know what will happen
We smile
We cry
We win
We loose
It turned around so quickly......
 

To be continued....

Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

Eternity isn't some later time. Eternity isn't a long time. Eternity has nothing to do with time. Eternity is that dimension of here and now which thinking and time cuts out. This is it. And if you don't get it here, you won't get it anywhere. And the experience of eternity right here and now is the function of life. There's a wonderful formula that the Buddhists have for the Bodhisattva, the one whose being (sattva) is illumination (bodhi), who realizes his identity with eternity and at the same time his participation in time. And the attitude is not to withdraw from the world when you realize how horrible it is, but to realize that this horror is simply the foreground of a wonder and to come back and participate in it.

Narrated by-Joseph Campbell, in The Power of Myth (1988) with Bill Moyers, Episode 2.  

              While understanding the meaning of 'A bridge to eternity' and why I decided it as a title to my blog, frankly, it just popped out of my mind, spontaneously. While, I searched for the definition of 'eternity' today, it spoke about time and that it is endless time. 

              Yes, as explained by famous Mythologist Joseph Campbell, this time which is seemingly endless, is here and now and isn't sometime later. To live and to carry on, we always need some purpose and for all of us at home, unknowingly raising Tasha had became the central purpose. Our whole life revolved around this dog. Day in and day out. One side it was Tasha and the other side we the family of 4.

            The question,' Who is guarding whom?' ; never ever posed a real threat to me, as my obvious answer then was 'her (Tasha)'. She never ever left me alone. Where ever in the house I would go, she would follow me and most eagerly when I would receive guests. She would simply walk-in and quietly sit near my feet. She would comfort me by licking my feet in between and would patiently wait for this guest to move on. I would take huge pride in this act of hers and my guest would envy me for owning such a well behaved German Shepherd. '"What a composure, she has?" and there would be all praises for her, I would proudly take. Yes she definitely has a fiery look, but she is not ferocious.

(Clicked on 06 ‎March ‎2011)    

        Today when I remember her, I find this distinct character of hers, of being overtly human friendly indeed made her more vulnerable. It is like the dog guards you and you guard the dog in return. While with me, I would always kept an eye on her, after all, she is not only my dog, but is a daughter to me. A bold and beautiful daughter, a young and gracious daughter in her prime. 

(Clicked on ‎23 ‎July ‎2011)     

      We had unknowingly set-up a lot of expectations from her and when she revolted, we thought, a professional trainer can help us resolve. She was reluctant to leave us, as we had never kept her away from us or maybe she anticipated something more. We had promised her, we would return, but she never gave this chance to us, she was lost /stolen on the 8th day from  
the trainers School.                                    

      Stunned by the news, uncontrollable with our thoughts and emotions, we cried, we blamed, we cursed, we complained. Everyone heard the story, some offered sympathy, some provoked us to seek legal action, some offered compensation, some a new trained dog instead, some said, 'Oh! forget it? it was JUST A DOG'.

                   (Clicked on 28th May 2011)

                    From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

     Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.                 

     Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.                                                                 
      If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence  of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

        Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

       I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

       So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't  understand."        

     GSD Poem - "Just a Dog" by Richard A. Biby

Some day soon, my family and me, we all live  with this hope, a unique passage will  connect us to our beloved ; bridging the present sections of our song named Tasha and with this  thought, I wake up every morning with a dream, somewhere far off on this bridge  I see with my misty eyes, a German Shepherd  calling me .... 

This bridge will lead  me for an upcoming chorus and to sit back quietly to read  my memoirs  jotted down on this blog....titled

 ......A Bridge to Eternity ......

             Eternity has no grey hairs! The flowers fade, the  heart withers, man grows old and dies, the world lies down in the sepulchre of ages, but time writes no wrinkles on the brow of Eternity. Reginald Heber, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary  of Burning Words of Brilliant  (1895), p. 213

Note: Just a few minutes from now, the clock will struck twelve; completing exact six months of Tasha gone missing.