Lakshmi Narayan

There was a time, long ago, when my cup of joy spilt over. But there was a nameless hole in my heart the size of a fist, growing bigger, darker and deeper with every passing day.

I read the holy books of many faiths. I visited sacred sites and sat at the feet of sanyasis and yogis, shrinks and soothsayers, in an attempt to find a solution to the emptiness gnawing within. But I couldn’t find a satisfactory solution.

Soon the hollowness yawned open into a mighty chasm and I could feel myself descending into a bottomless abyss. That’s when I looked into the limpid eyes of my adorable dog and everything fell into place.

You see, when I fed him, he gazed at me with rapturous gratitude. When I was ill, he guarded me like a fierce lion. When I petted him, his eyes shone with worshipful adoration. When he was scared or in pain, he sought me out for comfort and reassurance. When I was sad, he snuggled up to me, offering me the company of a true friend. When he was naughty and I scolded him, he wagged his tail, eager to make amends.

He didn’t take grudges to bed, for each day was a fresh adventure. Even if I stepped out a dozen times, he never tired of welcoming me back with unbridled joyousness. Thin or fat, old or young, pretty or so-so, it made no difference to him, for he loved me for what I was. Though there was plenty of space to run and play, his favourite place was by my side.

Despite belonging to another species, he was the dearest member of the family, who was not ashamed to say, “I love you. You are the centre of my universe,” openly and un-apologetically as often as he could.

By now I had twigged that I was unhappy and lost because I had wasted my time seeking positive responses from human beings full of themselves. In the lambent eyes of my pet I saw what I was searching for — unconditional love. The quickest way to understand the mysteries of the universe was to copy the childlike curiosity of my dog.

In his simple uncomplicated lifestyle, I saw the vision of the Creator shining through. By accepting the Almighty as my pack leader, I was acquiring a pathfinder. By choosing simplicity, the complex became clearer. By making love my emblem, I could strive to create a heaven here on earth.

Most of all, I now learnt to live for others, without expecting anything in return. I must confess it wasn’t easy, and many disappointed me with their greed, self-absorption and deceit. But I emulated my dog, freely distributing my time, care and love.

In the end I did find what I was looking for. I set up a shelter for abandoned, sick and injured animals. And the outpouring of love that I got from my furry friends made me feel like a crorepati every day, in every way.

Nothing can compare with the purity of a pet’s love — unconditional, constant and generous.

(Excerpted from Fables from Beyond, Authors Upront, 2020)

Journalist, author and animal activist Lakshmi Narayan is a former assistant editor of Femina and former editor of Eve’s Weekly & Flair

Also read: Short story: The Reluctant Messiah