Paris & Me

She was a little bundle of joy that I brought home A week old Golden retriever with shining golden coat Short ears, a straight muzzle, and a feathery tail Why I named her Paris I had no particular reason? Maybe she reminded me of Paris, the city I love She became the youngest member of our family An explorer and inquisitive with never ending curiosity One moment she was here and next moment gone She was in every nook and corner I couldn't think of She ruled the place like an undisputed queen All she wanted was those little hugs and caresses Returning the favour many times than she received There she was licking my toe telling me to move on That was her way of telling me to fix her meal She'd have her milk from bottle sitting on my lap Time flew on and soon she grew quite big and tall Every day she would learn a new trick a new prank She recognised sound of my car and footsteps too She would be waiting for me right at the main door To welcome me back at home after another tiring day She would be looking at me inquiringly as if asking How was your day at office and did you miss me? That was also her walk - time in the park nearby That would happen after she had her cashew cookies Her day wouldn't end without a goodnight pat from me She was always there for me, be it good times Or not so good times, bad times, and terrible times When I got my first car she was there in the back seat I received double promotion she was there to cheer me She wished me when I left for my first overseas trip When my father stopped talking to me it was she Who consoled and amused me by her little antics She sat by my side all day after I had that nasty accident She celebrated my victories and lamented my losses She also shared my joy and mourned my grief My home was her home my people were her people We were two different beings with one common soul I don’t know was I her alter-ego or was she mine Sadly a canine has a different life span and journey What is minute for us is like long hours for them When she lost youth and entered old age I didn't realise Gradually even going for a stroll was too much for her She was no more the old brat she once used to be Power and speed wasn't the only thing she lost She also lost her vision and her sharp reflexes She was deteriorating fast and losing her will to live Things as routine as sitting was herculean task for her She would just lay next to me looking with her sad eyes Even her fav cashew cookies no more enthused her I can never forget that gloomy 14th October evening It was drizzling outside and I had just come from office They were all standing in the hallway surrounding Paris She lay still on a mat, eyes closed with a heavy breathing I took Paris in my lap like a child and drove to vet's clinic I knew she had very little time left but miracles do happen It took just five minutes for doctor ro decide her fate Paris was in lot of pain and he could do nothing Her misery had only one remedy, that last injection Now only pentobarbital injection could give her relief That one decision was obviously the toughest of my life The vet was ready to perform the noble act of euthanasia Paris, I knew if one thing she was afraid off was darkness But tonight wasn't a good day to die for someone so dear If she had to die she will do it on a sunny morning I took back her home, our home for last twelve years She'd made many rides to home, this was just her last It was the darkest night of my life I spent wide awake Last 12 years of our life was played in the slow motion There were moments of all kind, comic, happy, poignant It was almost next morning when my tired eyes gave in I saw Paris in my dreams, we were climbing a steep slope I recalled many years ago Paris and me went for a trek My sleep was disrupted by that familiar touch of Paris I opened my eyes and saw Paris standing next to me Licking my left hand like she always enjoyed doing It was impossible for someone who couldn't even stand To this day I don't have the faintest clue how she did that Maybe she was saving this last reserve of energy for me It was her thank you for a beautiful life that we shared Finally, it was now time to take her for that last journey When she was laid on the table for the lethal injection She opened her eyes one last time and looked at me I knew she was now ready for that last long journey I buried her near the small hillock next to our home Paris was my first and last pet I didn't go for one again I couldn't find love for another pet, maybe it all dried up Whatever I had to offer Paris grabbed it all and more.