Benjamin

My earliest memory of you; is you playing with your siblings in a huge quilt-lined basket. You were so adorable! I fell in love with you instantly. Nestled in my arms for the whole journey, we brought you home; after which you promptly fell asleep for the rest of the evening.

You conveniently thought my footwear was like a teething device for you. I've lost count of how many pairs of footwear have been sacrificed, the most memorable ones being my orange-and-purple floaters and my bronze ballet flats. Haha! But I didnt mind; since you were my first experience of having a pet in the house :)

Then Hansie came; and you had a companion for life. My own pet; I thought. But you were still as much mine, as he was. You loved us all so much that it was never enough for you. That look in your eyes whenever I would say, "Bye, Benny!" while leaving for home...

I marveled at your superior intellect; and I was convinced that you were the brainiest dog around. Who else could remember the names of forty different toys; and also all their current locations around the house? Your very first toy was a brown colored teddy bear, with the plastic eyes removed; of course. You played with it right till the end.

I still wonder why you were so attached to me, that you wouldnt even let anyone wake me up from sleep. Why you always wanted to lick my face clean whenever I came to your house. Why you'd be so happy on all those occasions I came down with you for a walk, that you'd keep looking back and waiting for me if I was walking slowly. Why you loved that squeaking duck of yours so much, that you would take it to bed with you. Why you would never bark and show your displeasure at anything. Why you'd get so happy for the most trivial of things. Why you hated cars and food so much. Why you never bit me, even once.

I'm sure even the crows are going to miss you; because they won't have anyone to bark at them now.

I remember how lazy you used to feel to go for morning walks. I miss your deep barking filling the air as soon as anyone came in. I miss that impish look on your face when we discovered that you'd been up to something. I won't find mutton bones and dog chews hidden under bathmats anymore. I won't find you cowering under the sofa after a scolding session. I won't find the bathroom drain covers you so loved playing with. (You had very queer tastes, I must say!)

I remember my grandmother's anguish that morning we took you to the hospital. It was the third time she'd be going through this. Why, Benny?

The house looks uncharacteristically empty now without your green basket of toys. You're not there, sniffing furiously at the crack under the door, eagerly waiting for us to come in. That characteristic smell of dog pee permeating the air has vanished, all of a sudden. There aren't any old blankets covering the floor. There are no packets of Pedigree and dog chews in the kitchen cupboards. No sign of your blue water bowl too. Where have you gone?

I miss you so much, Benny. Why did you go away?