Bruno taught the art of love to the family.

 Bruno taught the art of love to the family.

On the persistent demands of my grandson Rushat, both my daughter Palka and son-in-law Rohit agreed to cradle a dog when Rushat, who had gone vegetarian, agreed to eat non-vegetarian for a period of one year. After a year a German Shepherd dog was purchased and named Bruno, 12 years back. Bruno was hardly one month old when he fell from the first floor of the house and as I was there, I rushed him to a veterinary doctor. This created a special bond between the two of us and whenever we went to my daughter’s home at Gurugram, he used to enjoy jumping and clinging to me. The other members of the family used to get jealous of this excitement on Bruno’s part and try to bribe him by offering biscuits and other items to extract from his mad love for me, but he refused to budge.  

In due course of time, Bruno became a family member. Whenever the family used to go on holiday, Bruno was sent to a dog hostel for a few days. However, he showed his anger by not clinging to my son-in-law when he used to take him back. Time passed and my granddaughter left for the USA for her post-graduation and my grandson to Canada for his graduation. Whenever they called on WhatsApp for video conference Bruno’s ears were erected, and he started watching the mobile in curiosity.

My daughter and son-in-law were to go to the USA to attend my granddaughter Ridhi’s graduation, and Canada for one and a half months leaving their old mother back home this month. I along with my wife went to Gurugram to take charge of the house.  The family realized that Bruno would not survive such a long separation from the family at the dog hostel. and it was decided that as he is too strong for me to take him out in the morning and evenings, a former young servant be employed to perform this duty. 

As if Bruno was listening and understanding everything going on in the house, his behaviour changed, he started clinging to my daughter and son-in-law and licking their hands and feet more frequently. However, it was a surprise for all of us to see that Bruno, like a child, had hidden himself when the young servant came to take charge of him. He did not allow the servant to leash him and kept on barking at him. We all helped the servant to leash him, but he refused to walk with the servant, despite offering a bribe of biscuits. Ultimate I had to walk with the servant to carry him out for three days.

 However, Bruno went silent and did not eat anything for two days after my daughter and son-in-law left for the USA. He kept on sitting in the corner of their room motionless for days, feeling separated and showing his moist eye to me asking where they had gone. During the night Bruno waited at the door hoping they would be coming late. Alas, we humans must learn the art of love from animals.