Adi was just 40 days old when we first brought him to our house. A small velvety doll; he was. He was the 1st of 36 pups born in a kennel in Coimbatore and hence his name Adil. He was also the 1st and the most loved pet I have had so far. He was a pure bred Labrador Retriever and came with a long list of pedigree. Dark black in colour; the 1st look at him will make u fall in love with him. That was what it was for all of us – love at the very first sight. I still remember the day we got him to our house. It was almost night by the time we reached home. He was sleeping in my lap all the while. As soon as we reached home, I placed him on the sofa so that all could get a look at him and the 1st thing he did was to pee on the sofa. That was 9 yrs ago but seems just like yesterday.
Life could not have been the same without him, I am sure. We all had our moments with him. He grew up with us and gave us numerous memories along the way. Be it happy-time or sad-time he was always there for all of us, to cheer us and to bring back the smile in us. The most eventful were the years when he was growing up. How he used to stand near the door and squeal so that we let him out to pee. How after doing something naughty we ran and hid under the bed. How we used to chase cats inside the house. How he wud get scared when it thundered or during diwali when we burst crackers. How he hid himself when we knew that the vet was coming. The long evening walks we used to take. The times when he ran away from the house when we left the gate open, and then my chasing him around trying to catch him. The barking competition he used to have with the road side dogs at night are all still afresh in our memories.
We never quite realized when from the cute and cuddly puppy he grew up to be a strong and handsome dog. I still remember taking him to the various shows and winning various prizes. And then finally he settled down as a regular house pet. He was a baby hand-raised by all of us. He had and amazing personality and very short temper. He would get upset at the slightest of things and then u will have to sit with him and feed him directly with ur hands else he wont eat. The worst times were the monsoon when the thunder showers would send jitters through his body and he would rush into the house and hide under the bed. He was also an expert Gardner. He had a knack of rearranging the garden every now and then, so had to finally give up on having a garden. I cannot remember a time without him. The house was always buzzing with energy when he was around.
The last few years were really strained between us. I saw him only once or twice a year when I went home for holidays. No matter how little time I had during my vacations I always made it a point to spend at least 2 days with him. Lately my parents moved out of the house as well to stay elsewhere and Adi was left back alone in the house. Many a times I felt really sorry for him and my inability to do anything for him. Gradually he became lonely and sad and finally on the 30th of October 2008 (yesterday), he passed away. His demise has left a void in our hearts. He was the glue that held us together and now he is no more. I do not even feel like going back to the house where he is not there anymore. May be God saw what a wonderful pet he was and took him as his pet……may your Soul Rest In Peace Adi…….u will always remain alive in our hearts till the day we join u…….
