Money can buy you love

 

I am a pet grandparent to two dogs , Glee and Leia. Glee, the pug and Leia , the Indie.  As a child , I was always raised around dogs, Alsatians, Indies, small Norwich Terriers , whatever be the breed, they were all loving and faithful. I remember my mother telling me that I used to even eat the Roti and milk from their bowl ! 

I got married into a family, where pets were a huge no no , cats were okay as long as they stayed on the doorstep, but dogs inside the house - unimaginable! 

My elder daughter Manasi, was a born animal lover , and as she grew up, every once in a while , she  would  ask me to bring home a puppy. Staying in a joint family, I reluctantly denied this little joy to her . 

One evening, as we were taking a stroll , she said , “ Aai, Sneha’s uncle has a Pug , Laila. She’s given a litter”, she said,  as she showed me the pictures of the cute little creations of God . “ Can we get one home please “, she asked , and in a weak moment, I instantly agreed . The gentle breeze, the orange red and pink sunset hues and the loving company of my daughter probably weakened my gaurd , I imagined myself in the company of a four legged furry puppy again and my face lit up with a smile at the thought of having a adorable pet dog again in the house . 

“ Manasi has decided to bring home a Pug”, I announced to my family at the dinner table . 

“Wow , finally “, exclaimed my younger one , in joy .

“ But how can we raise a Puppy in a flat , we know nothing about raising pet dogs “, said my very analytical husband .

“ Absolutely NOT”, my mother in law firmly announced. “ In my house , either the dog stays or I”, she vetoed against the decision. 

My daughters had tears in their eyes and so did I. Our dreams of playing with the puppy, listening to the pattering feet prancing around , were squashed . 

“ We need to come to a compromise “, I hesitantly replied after a while . “This is Manasi, Sayali’s home too”, I argued. The atmosphere in the house was tense for a couple of days , during which I tried to convince my husband to convince my mother in law . Finally , my MIL agreed , but some clear rules were laid and boundaries were set . One of them was that the Puppy will not enter my in laws room . 

“ Aai, we have to pay money to Sneha’s Uncle “, Manasi said . “ We are not buying a dog”, said my analytical husband again . “No money will be paid to anyone “ , said he. “ But Baba, it’s only 5000/towards the expenses incurred by him for the delivery of Laila, the vaccination of the puppies etc” , said Manasi. She had some money saved which she decided to pay to Sneha’s uncle . 

The house was set to welcome the bundle of joy , whom we fondly named as Glee. Glee became the centre of our household, she slowly wove her way through our hearts with her naughtiness, innocent face and the boundless love she showered on all of us. 

Soon, she became my Mother in law’s constant companion and even slept on her bed with her . 

Glee would be at the door , whenever any of us came home and would be overjoyed seeing  us . All the neighbouring kids come home to play with Glee . Her naughtiness and unreasonable demands for Popcorn and crisp dosas continue . She’s almost a human , not a dog ! High in EQ, she understands when I am upset , sad and disturbed. She will sit by my side and keep licking me, trying her best to comfort me . She has filled my home with boundless joy , positivity and happiness. 

Now Glee is old , but her heart is still full of endless love. She finds it difficult to get up, but she still slowly walks to the door when we come home,  ready to greet us with joy . 

Although both Glee and Leia( my Indie, whom my daughters got home from the streets) have given me endless love, but , I write this piece about Glee , as the person who said , “ Money Can’t buy you love “, must never have been a pet parent to a furry four legged bundle of joy ! 

Money DID buy me love , enough to last me for a lifetime .