An ode to The Dog Community

I am a DOG Lover...I dont just go "awww, he is soo cute" at their sight, .......I understand them....I observe them...I like to catch their every movement...A twitch in the ears...moisture on nose..sudden turning around to bite the itch away....sitting in alarm to cautiously snap at a buzzing fly.......hope in the eyes...pretending to be angry by displaying a few yellowing teeth..angry bark, loving bark, scared bark.....breaking things by underestimating the weight or flexibility of their tails.....I can go on and never stop

Dog therapy is a tested and tried part of healing for various reasons, but what about the dog therapy we can get almost everyday and that too for free?
Why let it go?

I almost greedily grab at any occassion to be with a Dog, I like to feel the love they display through pawing at my feet, or softly biting my hands, or just keeping the head in my lap and pretending to sleep, while i pat them or play with their moustache and coat....

I have almost always had a dog come to me when I have been sad....for I look at them in their eyes genuinely...If I am happy, the dog as if by telepathy, would  be playful, maybe he would jump on me,or try to pull away my jacket (completely ignoring the fact that I am inside);
If sad I have mostly had dogs keeping their heads in my hands or lap, or give a soft lick on the face or fingers while I silently oozed out the pain.......

As a kid,. my best friend was my pet. I would narrate to him the entire incidents of the day, hoping to get some advice, and I am sure he advised me well, for I never returned dissatisfied.....

There is a dog in my neighbourhood who is infamous amongst children.....when he came here for the first time he almost bit my hand away, somehow his eys betrayed his pretence at scaring me...I went upto him every single day, and offered him my hand to bite...he never did....but in a few weeks, he did lick it......he still bullies those children, however he doesn't bark when I am around, and if he sees me from far, he calls for me or runs towards me.....

Once when on a vacation to Chail, there was a huge sheep dog, who showed absolutely no interest in me, I was not only hurt but also felt cheated. I went upto him, and spent almost an hour trying to get his attention,......... in exasperation I even pretended to bark...I think that must have really tickled him, for he gave in and sat next to me on the bench....When I woke up the next day...he was sleeping outside our cabin :)

TOY- Random

Play is a transition to imagination through tangible or intangible mediums and these are toys...
Toys are also the deposits of trust and feelings
It is easier to express to or through a toy
At times this faith and ease exceeds that with humans and pets
What if a toy could come back and tell the parents if it feels their child needs help
Or if parents could turn into toys for a while and know their children better, but then wont it be a violation of privacy?

If only she could Fly

Amidst the misty dunes and dancing light
She woke up with the dawn

Following the birds she took her secret flight
A seeker of  the skies was born

They saw her shine one ominous night
A dreadful consensus hence drawn

My butterfly fought with all her might
Alas! her wings were torn

The real world

When for a few incentives youngsters stage extreme irrational emotions on screen........far away as they fight on a studio, we sitting in our comfort spaces all excited and keen................................... call it real....

When a man overwhelmed by hunger falls on the concrete, we stay away, he could be faking it



When our internet buddies come online, we choose to ignore our mother's call to dine

When Dumbledore died, we cried



I am a part of this incomprehensible, contradictory, weird, sick, lovable, hatable, mad, happy, sad, rich, and deprived world, and seem to find no way out.....All that I knew as a kid was that reality is a monster called the BIG BAD WORLD..................... but those guys on TV said we need to save it and make it green.......

Friendly are we?

I was waiting to find the trash bin amidst the claustrophobia, people buzzing in a manmade beehive, overwhelming smells of indianised sandwiches, samosas and COFFEE!

My flight had been delayed and a complimentary coffee in the coffee shop is always welcome, especially when getting bored at the airport.

I had just finished mine and was about to give up my search for the bin, when there was a sudden disturbance. An elderly gentleman, must be nearing 80's, had spilled his coffee while trying to pick up sugar and napkins, from  a frail, table of a structure , in an almost invisible corner. Such was his bewilderment that anyone would have been moved to help. However, it didn't happen, how could people move out of their serpentine queue? It was obviously unquestionable! Downright FOOLISH!

So they chose to stand and watch, some were shaking their heads (why ain't  his children here with him?), some were visibely touched (OH Poor man! look at him), and some chose to ignore....

When I approached him, I realized that this wasn't just what it appeared to be, this was not just a normal spilling of a coffee, like we very callously ignore in our metropolitan lives. He was absolutely devastated and shocked beyond condolence. He was shivering, stammering and staring at the coffee in disbelief, it was not a minor accident for him, it had hurt his self esteem and confidence much like a tragedy.

Without thinking I hugged him and said "Its alright uncle, Should I get you another coffee?"
He stared at me with a vague look in eyes brimming with tears, and said "I dropped my coffee, it just fell, all of it, see, my coffee.."

No matter what I said, did not help him, and I realized I was only further making a spectacle out of him. We moved out of the sickening stares and closing space. He did not have the courage or will to get another coffee, stuttering and stammering he went away....The shop's staff never bothered ......leaving me horrified and wondering......................................................................Is our world really elderly friendly?
A lot can happen over beverages right!......yes dreams, courage and will powers can also get shattered over spilled coffees....

Are we designing environments and systems,  keeping in mind human empathy and emotions?....Do the elderly not have a right to places that can be more friendly, easier and loving?

If  my parents go for a holiday on their own, can I sleep in peace dreaming that they must be enjoying, or should I be left biting my nails, wondering whether they are safe and happy?